Riverboat Writer

Having pride in where you come from — or at least where you are right now — requires a sense of history. And it’s never too early to start filling a kid’s head with stories of the past. So grab some local youth, preferably preteens, and take ’em to the Coterie Theatre (2450 Grand) for a musical introduction to one of Missouri’s most accomplished native sons, Samuel Clemens. He’s better known as Mark Twain, of course, author of such perennial childhood assignments as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Among his other offerings is Life on the Mississippi, the autobiographical tale that Douglas M. Parker and Denver Casado have adapted for the stage. Titled Mark Twain’s Life on the Mississippi, this musical makes its world premiere at the Coterie this morning at 10. Additional performances, including weekend afternoons and Friday evenings, continue through February. Youth tickets cost $10; adults are $15. Call 816-474-6552.

Tue., Jan. 26, 10 a.m.; Wed., Jan. 27, 10 a.m.; Thu., Jan. 28, 10 a.m. & noon; Fri., Jan. 29, 10 a.m., 12 & 7 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 30, 2 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 31, 2 p.m.; Tue., Feb. 2, 10 a.m. & noon; Wed., Feb. 3, 10 a.m. & noon; Thu., Feb. 4, 10 a.m. & noon; Fri., Feb. 5, 10 a.m., 12 & 7 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 6, 2 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 7, 2 p.m.; Tue., Feb. 9, 10 a.m.; Wed., Feb. 10, 10 a.m. & noon; Thu., Feb. 11, 10 a.m. & noon; Fri., Feb. 12, 10 a.m., 12 & 7 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 13, 2 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 14, 2 p.m.; Tue., Feb. 16, 10 a.m.; Wed., Feb. 17, 10 a.m. & noon; Thu., Feb. 18, 10 a.m. & noon; Fri., Feb. 19, 10 a.m., 12 & 7 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 20, 2 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 21, 2 p.m.; Wed., Feb. 24, 10 a.m.; Thu., Feb. 25, 10 a.m. & noon; Fri., Feb. 26, 10 a.m., 12 & 7 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 27, 2 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 28, 2 p.m., 2010