Big River Question (Huck and Mary Jane)

I'm in the middle of rereading Huckleberry Finn and supplementing it with the OBC recording of Big River. I was completely unfamiliar with the musical and skeptical as I didn't see how the story could possibly translate to the stage, but the songs are so good (River in the Rain made me cry the first time I heard it), I'm now regretting I wasn't around in 1985 to see it on Broadway.

But I was left wondering, never having seen any production of it, what is the relationship between Huck and Mary Jane in the musical? In the book, Huck clearly has a big crush on her and she is very kind and appreciative towards him, but I wouldn't exactly call their relationship romantic, especially considering the age difference between them. But the musical, or at least the song "Leavin's Not the Only Way to Go," seems to have made their connection overtly (and mutually) romantic. I'm always curious to see how certain, subtle story elements change between mediums.


A young girl passes / in a hurry. Hair uncombed. / Full of black devils. --Kelly Link