“Big Fish”

Highly Recommended ***** Over the last 10 years, I have seen several versions of “Big Fish” with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and a book by John August. It is not often done, probably because it is a difficult piece to create. The story is about dreaming. Actually about dreaming large, loving large and living large, and yet through all of its fantasy ( this musical is based on the book by Daniel Wallace ) there is a great deal of honesty and truth. The film version was spectacular and filled with great visuals, but in a live setting, how can all of these fantasies come alive? Thanks to the brilliant direction  of Stephen Schellhardt, on the intimate stage of The Greenhouse Theater’s UP MAIN STAGE, we are treated to a pure spectacle of true love!

The set is designed to appear almost like a dock with the musicians on stage during the entire performance. Michael McBride ( piano and conductor) along with his five musicians, Rafe Bradford (bass), Perry Cowdery (guitar), Hillary Bayley (violin), Rachel Schuldt (cello) and Lior Shragg ( drums) are magnificent, and they never overpower the cast members who are very close to the audience. The set ( Lauren M. Nichols) is designed to keep the action flowing and with the projections ( G. “Max”  Maxin IV, who also handled the lighting design) keeps us in the action at all times. The props by Emily Boyd are perfect.

Schellhardt has put together a cast that is superior to all previous productions I have seen. It helps, of course, that the intimacy of the space puts us so close to the action. The story is a difficult one, dealing with a father and son and their relationship through the years. Will Bloom ( a solid performance by Jeff Pierpont) is about to get married. He is, in many ways, uncomfortable with his father, Edward Bloom ( played to perfection by Tommy Thurston), who he feels is a storyteller/liar. He doesn’t want his new bride to be forced to listen to these stories about giants, circuses, and craziness that he grow up with. There are many flashbacks in time as we meet young Will ( an adorable portrayal by  Desmond Murphy  and on other performances by Ian Michael Pinski). I must say that Murphy is adorable and he truly knows how to play the audience!

During the flashbacks we learn of the Witch (for Caitlin Dobbins this is one of her many ensemble roles) who predicts just how Edward will meet his demise and his true love, Sandra ( deftly handled by Kyrie Anderson). The adventures in the life ( or stories) of Edward Bloom are amazing and the ensemble is one that truly brings life to all the characters along the trip. Edward’s boyhood friends and other characters are played by Matt Frye, Joshua Bishop, Sean Michael Barret (outstanding as the ringmaster in the circus scenes),  Alli Atkenson ( a charming Jenny Hill, as she tells the story of Edward saving the town), Nicole Besa ( Will’s  wife) and Karl the Giant , played by Robert Quintanilla with style and grace ( and can he dance!).

This is a high energy cast of players who change costumes (Christina Leinicki) with ease as they go from schoolkids to adulthood and from circus performers to townspeople. The sound (Daniel Hosfield) is perfect. We hear every note and word of every son. The songs are a major part of the storytelling with the opening/closing number “Be The Hero” the one that most people will remember. One might call this a chamber musical as the music involved is only there to reflect the story. For example “Out There On The Road” is a big number for Karl and Edward as they choose to leave and find their fortunes elsewhere.  “The River Between Us” is a powerful song that shows the communication problem between Will and his father, and Thurston and Pierpont both hit it out of the park on this one. It will send chills down your spine.

I certainly do not want to give away any of the actual story, but I will tell you that this amazing tale will hit your memory bank. Our parents and grandparents tell us stories of their lives as kids. Are those real situations or how they recall them? Along the way they may have been modified. In this story Will grows up and leaves home to find his own future. He remembers the stories his dad told him as a boy, but questions the reality of them and the credibility of his dad. This story is about finding the truth. Real or perceived! Schellhardt has captured it to perfection. The choreography bu Megan Farley is quite slick for this small stage. Thank you BoHo Theatre Company for bringing this show to life!

“Big Fish” will continue at The Greenhouse Theater Center located at 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue thru November 17th with performances as follows:

Thursdays  8 p.m.

Fridays  8 p.m.

Saturdays  8 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m.

Seating is general admission at $35 ( a value for a show of this quality) and can be purchased at the box office, by calling 773-975-8150 or online at www.BoHoTheatre.com

Parking is available up the street at the old Children’s Memorial Garage. Street parking is zoned and meters, so pay attention.

To see what others are saying, visit http://www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Big Fish”