BPA stage lands a ‘Big Fish’
Published 11:30 am Friday, April 14, 2017
“Big Fish,” a new Broadway musical featuring music and lyrics by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa, will splash onto the Bainbridge Performing Arts stage May 12 through May 28.
Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, the play centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest — and then some.
Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him, most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales.
Director Ken Michels’ impressive list of credits includes past BPA hits “Mary Poppins,” “The Full Monty,” “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “Shrek,” “Avenue Q,” and “Monty Python’s Spamalot.” He is joined by musical director Aimee Hong, an adjunct music faculty member at Bellevue College.
Choreographer Heather Dawson’s work has been showcased in BPA Theatre School’s “Seussical,” “Monty Python’s Spamalot” and “Mary Poppins,” and she was also seen dancing in “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
The dynamic directing trio leads an exciting cast featuring BPA newcomer Jason Gingold as Edward Bloom, plus Ryan Patrick O’Donnell (Will Bloom), Kylee Gano (Sandra Bloom), Tori Konig (Josephine Bloom), Julian Mudge-Burns (young Will), Jayln Green (Amos Calloway), Elizabeth Dangelo (Jenny Hill), Colleen Gillon (The Witch), Max Lopuszynski (Karl), Lance Valdez (Don Price/Dance Ensemble), Teagan Howlett (Mermaid/Dance Ensemble), Robert Craighead (Doctor Bennett/Dance Ensemble), Rico Lastrapes (Zacky Price/Dance Ensemble) and Michael Loudon (Ashton Mayor/Ensemble), and additional ensemble members including Sophie Eldridge, Cordelia Janow, Matt Howe, Kevin Tanner, Lucien Caro, Ben Eldridge, Pete Simpson, Forrest Blair, Kate Pippinger, Becky Eastguard, Sarah Taylor, Hailey McCulloch and Ruth Urbach.
“Big Fish” will appear at BPA with evening shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. The run includes a pay-what-you-can preview on Thursday, May 11 and the opening night reception on Friday, May 12.
Tickets, $29 for adults, $24 for seniors, and $21 for students, youth, military, and teachers, may be purchased online at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, by phone at 206.842.8569, or in person at BPA, 200 Madison Ave. North. BPA Box Office hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and one hour prior to each performance.
“Big Fish” is produced by special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide and is suitable for ages 12 and older.
