May 24, 2013 By Lauren Rearick for The 2 min read

A Brownsville native is taking center stage, playing the role of a beloved literary character familiar to audiences past and present.

Jonathan Edward Rohlf is playing Huck Finn in the Pittsburgh Playhouse production of “Huck Finn” at the Rauh Theater in Oakland.

The adaptation is based on Mark Twain’s classic American novel that follows the adventures of Huck Finn and an escaped slave, Jim, as they raft down the Mississippi in search of freedom and adventure.

For Rohlf this role has been an opportunity to really come into a character.

“It was neat because there’s a lot of information out there (about Huck Finn),” Rohlf said. “This story also portrays Mark Twain as a person. I read “Huck Finn” and lots of novels on Mark Twain’s life and got into his rhythm of speaking and thinking on life.”

This weekend marks the final performances of Eric Coble’s stage production for audiences of all ages, with performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

“The shows have been really successful,” Rohlf said. “Our director has taken a really different take on this and made sure everyone has had a very important part.”

Rohlf first began his acting career alongside his parents, Michael and Tricia Rohlf of Brownsville. The two were also actors and owned a local theater company, Jonaleka Productions, until 2005. The family has also been active with several productions from Actors and Artists of Fayette County.

Since beginning his work as a young child around the age of 5 or 6 years, Jonathan Rohlf has acted in numerous area shows, including performances at the Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale and the West Virginia Public Theatre.

Now a student at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Jonathan Rohlf is required to audition for roles throughout the school year, but this summer’s production was one he sought out to have a chance to tackle a role in children’s theater.

“It’s definitely a really neat take on the story,” he said. “A lot of people think they know the story, and it’s just a southern story on a bunch of hillbillies just walking around. This is a really cool take on the character with messages on racism and slavery that are still relevant today.”

Tickets are $7.

For more information, call 412-392-8000.