BWW Preview: First Stage Delivers Big Broadway Production BIG FISH to Milwaukee

Based on Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel titled "Big Fish: A Novel of Mythical Proportions," John August wrote the musical and the 2003 film adaptation directed by Tim Burton. In the fairytale story, a father Edward Bloom, and his son, Will, attempt to reconcile their relationship. Each struggles with the distortions between Edward's fantasies he tells about his life working as a traveling salesman, and Will who writes for the New York Times and depends on compiling journalistic facts. Edward's life will soon end, and time narrows the possibilities of this parent and adult child understanding each other and their diverse life styles, especially with Will expecting his own first child to be born in the near future.

Told in flashbacks from Edward's Alabama home, Southern Gothic tradition inspires the stories Edward embellishes and Will fails to believe.The original Broadway musical featured 20 songs composed by Andrew Lippa, and Whiting needed to condense the score to 15 for Young Audiences in this show musically directed by Jeff Schaetzke. Several of Whiting's favorite melodies include, "River Between Us," which symbolizes the disconnect between Edward and Will, "How It Ends," and what Whiting calls a touching love song Edward sings about his future wife Sandra, "Closer to Her."

In addition to the music, more than 100 costumes take center stage and were made in the First Stage costume shop, an amazing feat for an 80 minute production. Imaginative designer Kärin Kopsichke assumed the monumental task in a show which involves clothes from several time periods and dressing Edward's fantasies where a giant, mermaid and a witch appear. Jason Fassl brings his superb lighting design to highlight Brandon Kirkham's innovative scenery, although the costumes carry the story, even if a challenge for quick, behind the scene changes. During this Big Fish tale, costumes transform into another character for the production.

"With this play more intimate [at First Stage] than the Broadway production," Whiting claims the family friendly performances will tug on the father-son relationship in the play, and for the audiences. Beloved Milwaukee actor Jonathan Gillard Daly tackles the daunting task of playing Edward Bloom in a character Whiting says, "Needs to change his energy and persona constantly to make the story work. He's on stage almost every minute." Whiting continues, "This will be a Broadway scale show, only shorter. There's brilliant work by all the actors."

Other actors in the cast of 23 include names familiar in Milwaukee theater. Bree Brelow, Niffer Clarke, John Glowacki, Paul Helm, Nate Lewellyn and Rána Roman. More than 15 young performers create a dual cast, actors who play characters in the story and the ensemble, in the true First Stage tradition. "First Stage and [Artistic Director] Jeff, Frank have created an incredibly supportive environment to produce the show," Whiting explains. "And it's been equally wonderful to figure out all the special effects necessary to make the story theater worthy."

As a part fairytale, part fantasy and poignant reality tale, Big Fish pulls emotional weight. How do this father and son reconnect to each other? Does Will believe these "fish stories" his father told him all his life? Where lies the reality between actual fact and fiction in a person's life? Whiting mentions after seeing the Broadway production he would marvel at "people walking out of the theater, holding on to their loved ones, hugging each other."

How does Big Fish end? With the First Stage production opening Friday, May 8, Whiting encourages everyone to answer that question and enjoy this fantastic theatrical fish tale about the stories we remember in our lives-and the stories everyone then becomes. Whiting finishes his interview by quoting these lines from Big Fish: "I know it wasn't perfect/ I know my life was small/ I know that I pretended that I knew it all./But when you tell my story/ And I hope somebody does/ Remember me as something bigger than I was."

First Stage presents Big Fish in the Todd Wehr Theater at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts opening on Friday May 8 and continuing through May 31. For information, a season subscription, or tickets, please call: 414.273.7206 or visit www.firststage.org.