Catch Big Fish at The Quincy Music Theatre

Beginning on February 23, Quincy Music Theatre will be presenting its first major production of 2024 — Big Fish. The first showing of this play in the local Big Bend area, Big Fish is a theatrical adaptation by John August and Andrew Lippa, who produced the book and musical aspects respectively.

Based on the novel by Dan Wallace and the 2003 film by Tim Burton, this coming-of-age tale has been adapted from the screen to the stage. It shall be directed and choreographed by Vanessa Wray, with Gerry Nielsen as head of musical direction and stage managing by Skylar Lombardo.

Essentially, Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom (Joe Svisco), a wandering salesperson, and the relationship between his wife, Sandra (Lizzy McCawley), and his son, Will (Andrew Busenlener). Parallels between Edward and Will come to the forefront, as Will begins to deal with the distortions from his father’s constant mythologizing of places and people. Caught endlessly between fiction and reality, the present begins to manifest itself once his father’s health begins to decline. When Edward’s health begins to decline, and Will learns that he and his wife, Josephine, will have a son of their own, Will decides to find out his father’s “true” life story, once and for all.

“The story is that of a ‘Big Fish’ in a Small Pond,” said Vanessa Wray, director and choreographer. “It is a story of contextualization, and between two opposing personalities who come into

contact with one another.”

Whilst she has functioned in various production capacities, it is Wray’s first time directing a show at Quincy Music Theatre.

As a dance teacher and death-educator, the story of Big Fish relates to her and her professions in a multiplicity of ways.

“It’s a story of a man and his legacy and the legacy that we all will eventually leave. There is a family dealing with estrangement, and, the problem of it all, is that neither dad nor son know one another very well. And despite their personality differences, the parallels between them seem astoundingly clear. Despite the fundamentally “real” issues of aging and loss, the heavy subject matter, there are astounding moments of fantasy,” Wray said.

Wray noted they have a smaller cast than they intended this go-around.

“One of our members will–at the least–have 12 costume changes. We really had to lock in to make this special show come together, but it all has turned out quite nicely.”

Joe Svisco, who plays Edward Bloom, also had many opinions on the thematics of the play.

“Edward is a good person, but only an okay father. Likewise, he’s a traveling merchant, but an absent dad. He’s got his issues, — but who doesn’t?” Svisco said. “I was chosen partly for being a baritone, and there’s always the technical aspects of the role; but, I feel, there’s few leads who can grasp the depth of a role

such as Edward. In this regard, I feel I was built for this.”

Svisco, a regular actor / occasional director at Quincy Music Theatre, also gave thoughts of the occasional meta-nature of the Big Fish theatrical adaptation.

“I suppose, the story of Big Fish may be seen as a story of a meeting between a father and a son. Their quest ultimately one of understanding through storytelling, the vitally real humanity that art brings together at the center of it all. Mostly that’s what I hope to capture in my portrayal of my role of him, protagonist Edward

Bloom,” Svisco shared.

“Firstly, the role is a bunch of fun,” said Andrew Busenlener, who has acted for more than 16 years, and has held seven acting roles at Quincy Music Theatre.

His dream is to become a professor of voice at a major institution.

“Will has a deep arc. It is awkward, it has tension. We come together, and we are pulled apart. I have

experiences from my own life that I, secretly, may bring to the role, although I never firsthand have experienced what Will has. It is then emotionally challenging,” Busenlener said

Busenlener also expounded on what it is like working with the cast and crew.

“Secondly, working with the cast and crew is a pleasure. I love especially

working with Vanessa, who is an excellent artist. I recommend everyone come out to the show!”

Lizzy McCawley, former FSU Alumni and one of the lead roles on the stage, plays Sandra Bloom, Ed’s wife “Sandra and Ed meet magically, and their love blooms, McCawley said. “I find it to be quite beautiful, and it is wonderful to participate with such awesome talent.”

All in all, about 39 cast and crew members of Quincy Music Theatre are a part of the Big Fish production.

It will have its premiere this Friday, February 23 rd at 7:30 p.m.

Encore performances of Big Fish will be shown on the two separate weekends with the following dates:

Weekend 1

Saturday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 25, 2:30 p.m.

Weekend 2

Friday, Mar. 1, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Mar. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Mar. 3, 2:30 p.m.

Individual tickets for Big Fish can be purchased on the Quincy Music Theatre website www.quincymusictheatre.com or by calling the Leaf Theatre Box Office (850-875-9444). The Leaf Theatre is located at 118 E. Washington Street in Quincy.

Ticket prices for Big Fish

Adult: $20.00

Senior (62+)/Military: $17.00

Student: $15.00

Discounts on Tickets are also available for groups of 10 persons or more.

Rube Dario Uribe

Catch Big Fish at The Quincy Music Theatre

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Catch Big Fish at The Quincy Music Theatre

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Tarra turns 50

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