<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=42QLsJ_0w7gA4TW00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=42QLsJ_0w7gA4TW00" width="898" height="600" ><figcaption>Front: Bob Gudauskas, Lee Rosenthal, Chrissy Barnett Miller, Andrew Shifler, and Rye Kircher. Back: Rebecca Mills, Katie Barnett, Christopher Holden, Michelle Boizelle, Laura Hepp Saunders, Alexandra Faye, and Lance Teller. Photo by Adam Blackstock.</figcaption></figure>Other Voices Theatre kicked off their 28th season with “Big Fish,” and the show was quite a catch! With a dazzling cast and ingenious minimalist staging, this play was an excellent production of the musical adaptation of the film screenplay, as well as Daniel Wallace’s novel of the same name.<blockquote>…a dazzling cast and ingenious minimalist staging…an excellent production…</blockquote>“Big Fish” tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who is in a strained relationship with his adult son, Will. While preparing to become a parent with his wife, Josephine, Will also faces Edward’s imminent death. During this time, Will discovers secrets that his father had previously never revealed. In addition to this storyline, the plot also revolves around the fantasies and tall tales from Edward’s past. The peculiar cast of characters conjured from Edward’s imagination features a giant, a witch, and a mermaid, along with an eccentric circus ringmaster.The role of Edward Bloom, played by Bob Gudauskas, is extremely demanding, as he hardly leaves the stage while navigating this ambitious character. Gudauskas’ performance was brilliant. Through his expressions, movements, and emotional delivery, he effectively played Edward from a teenager to a dying, elderly man. In a similar acting challenge as Edward’s wife, Sandra, Chrissy Barnett Miller seamlessly portrayed the character from a young woman through maturity. Miller demonstrated her beautiful soprano voice and fostered a devoted onstage partnership with Gudauskas. Her poignant solo, “I Don’t Need a Roof,” was very moving, and it warmly expressed Sandra’s unconditional love for her husband. As Will, Lance Teller grippingly depicted the character’s complicated relationship with his father. His powerful tenor voice was showcased in “Stranger,” as well as in his duet with Gudauskas in “The River Between Us.” Both performances were dramatic, musical highlights. Laura Hepp Saunders was charming as Josephine, presenting evident chemistry with Teller. With exceptional stage presence and an impressively strong singing voice, Becca Sears Mills was electrifying as the Witch, and she thoroughly expressed the character’s power. Karl the Giant was wonderfully played by Kirk Patton Jr. (filling in for Alexandra Faye at the reviewed performance), who truly embodied the role. Patton’s booming bass voice and imposing physicality personified Karl perfectly. Other standout performances included Michelle Boizelle, who was bubbly and effervescent as Edward’s first crush, Jenny Hill, as well as Lee Rosenthal, who energetically portrayed the bombastic circus ringmaster, Amos Calloway. With only 114 seats, Other Voices Theatre’s performance space is extremely intimate, and this made for an effective presentation of “Big Fish.” Director, Andrew Lloyd Baughman, did a magnificent job of staging this musical in such a small space, and Christine Levy’s minimalist set effectively represented multiple locations. Consisting of only a bed, a divider, and several stools, the set characterized a wide variety of environments ranging from a hospital room to a three-ring circus. A visual highlight was the lighting, designed by Dean Myers and Stephen Craig. Their projections added a stunning dimension to the story by displaying a raging river, fresh daffodils, and a realistic sonogram. Costume designers, Zoe Alexandratos and Nancy Speck, brought the characters to life through vibrant outfits, which were a colorful splash of delight. Choreographing a musical for a small stage is no easy feat, but Donna B. Grim catered to this task splendidly. The actors’ movement mirrored each of their characters’ personalities, and the lively dance routines strongly reflected the musical’s fast-moving plot. Music Director, Lisa Dodson, did a first-rate job of directing the singing, and the 13-member cast’s well-tuned sound filled the theater with vibrant resonation. “Big Fish” was a spectacular show to start the 28th season of Other Voices Theatre and a fabulous introduction to their exciting season of theater!Running Time: Two hours and 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.“Big Fish” ran October 4-13, 2024 at Other Voices Theatre, 244B S Jefferson Street, Frederick, MD 21701. For information on upcoming shows this season, please go online.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Theatre Review: ‘Big Fish’ at Other Voices Theatre

Other Voices Theatre kicked off their 28th season with “Big Fish,” and the show was quite a catch! With a dazzling cast and ingenious minimalist staging, this play was an excellent production of the musical adaptation of the film screenplay, as well as Daniel Wallace’s novel of the same name.