gravestone, they see Injun Joe, a troublemaker, have a fight with Doc Robinson, the local doctor. Before long, Joe murders Doc Robinson before their eyes! The boys run off and swear in blood to keep mum forever about the bloody deed. Meanwhile, Injun Joe arranges to have a local vagrant, Muff Potter, blamed for the murder. The next morning, on the way to church, Aunt Polly and Judge Thatcher, both single parents, commiserate about bringing up a child single-handedly. Later that day, in church, Tom tries to impress Becky Thatcher by tricking Reverend Sprague into awarding him the coveted “Bible Prize”. On the way to school the next day, Tom tries to convince Huck to learn to read, but Huck is afraid. A few minutes later, Huck saves kindly old Widow Douglas from the advances of the town drunk. In gratitude, she also offers to teach Huck how to read; in fact, she offers him her home as a place to live. Huck declines. In school that day, Tom saves Becky from getting into trouble. Moments later, they declare their undying love for each other. A few days later, Muff Potter is arrested for murder. Muff doesn’t realise that Injun Joe has framed him, and he pleads with Joe to save him from hanging. Joe says he’ll help, provided that Muff gives him a map that Muff has found – a map leading to that legendary treasure, Murrell’s Gold. As Muff is taken to jail, Tom faces a terrible choice: Should he tell the truth about the murder and save Muff Potter – thereby incurring the wrath of Injun Joe? Or should he keep his vow to Huck and let Muff hang? At Muff Potter’s trial, Tom takes the stand. He tells the truth and swears that Injun Joe committed the murder. Injun Joe springs from his seat and screams “You are dead, boy!” He throws a knife at Tom, then races from the courtroom amid a hail of gunfire. Act Two A few weeks later, school is dismissed for the summer and the children and their parents celebrate. That night, in his bedroom, Tom has a terrifying nightmare about Injun Joe. Aunt Polly comforts him and puts him to sleep with a lullaby. The next morning, after weeks of secret tutoring by Widow Douglas, Huck at last learns how to read. He and the Widow celebrate with a song of joy. This is the day of the annual town picnic, and the festivities begin with the exploration of McDougal’s Cave, a cavern of frightening size and darkness. As the townsfolk head for the cave, we learn that Injun Joe is back in town. He, too, is going into the cave – to find Murrell’s Gold. Now, however, a tragedy occurs. Tom and Becky get lost in the cave. Aunt Polly and Judge Thatcher are frantic, and they and the rest of the town begin searching for the two children. Underground, Tom and Becky desperately try to find a way out of the cave. Tom assures Becky that they’ll succeed. When Becky is alone for a moment, Injun Joe springs from a passage and grabs her, demanding to know where Tom is. Suddenly Tom jumps out from behind a rock; and a moment later, Huck shows up. With great courage, the three friends battle Injun Joe and defeat him. Though badly shaken, the children find Murrell’s Gold – a vast treasure of gold coins. Moments later, they see a ray of daylight shining through a crack in the wall. Exhausted, they crawl out of the cave, safe at last. The next day, the people of St. Petersburg are holding a funeral service for the lost children. During the service, Tom, Huck and Becky limp into town. They peek into the church – and realise that they’re watching their own funeral! When the children are discovered, the town goes wild with happiness. Aunt Polly is overjoyed to have Tom back. Sid is not. In the final moments of the play, Huck reveals to Tom that he’s learned how to read, and the two friends run off to celebrate with the rest of the town. MUSICAL NUMBERS 1. Hey, Tom Sawyer - Tom Sawyer, Aunt Polly, Lemuel Dobbins, Rev. Sprague, Townspeople 2. Here's My Plan - Tom Sawyer 3. Smart Like That - Tom Sawyer, Ben Rogers, Boys 4. Hands All Clean - Injun Joe 5. The Vow - Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn 6. Ain't Life Fine - Townspeople
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