By: Joshua Robles, Staff Writer
The Music and Theater Departments at Newman will be performing the musical “Big Fish” this weekend.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, along with a 2 p.m. showing Sunday in the Performance Hall in DeMattias Fine Arts Building.
The Musical is about Edward Bloom, played by senior Elijah Klein, who is a traveling salesman who tells riveting stories about his life. The stories he tells are larger than life and enthrall all around him, most of all his wife, Sandra Bloom, played by junior Talia Powers.
Their son Will, played by sophomore Austin Fullerton, is not convinced the stories are true and decides to go find out what the true meanings behind his father’s stories are.
“Big Fish” is directed and choreographed by Deanne Zogleman, the director of the Music Department at Newman.
Zogleman said that the actors are bringing depth to their characters.
“Elijah embodies Edward Bloom, and it is such a pleasure to watch him every night bring Edward to life,” she said.
“Talia, besides having an incredible voice, plays Edward's wife, Sandra, with such care,” she said. “Both Elijah and Talia are playing characters twice their actual age, so they have spent a lot of time understanding married life and they have such great chemistry on stage.”
Zogleman says she is very impressed with Fullerton’s hard work and how he has really pushed himself to get into character.
“Austin has done a lot of work especially vocally since his character, Will, has high tenor songs, but he has risen to the challenge. Will is so conflicted throughout this show, and Austin has spent a lot of time delving into the character,” Zogleman said.
Powers said she is looking forward to being able to perform live again, and that she hopes the audience will be drawn into the musical.
“I’m most excited to be able to perform live again on stage alongside the talented cast and crew. We have all worked so hard on this show for months and have truly come to love it,” Powers said. “I hope that the audience is able to be drawn into the fantasy and that they leave feeling a wide array of emotions.”
Fullerton says he can’t wait to perform his solo in the musical, and hopes the musical takes the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions.
“I am most excited to sing my solo ‘Stranger’ because I’m alone on stage and take the audience through a range of relatable emotions,” Fullerton said. “The musical takes the audience on a rollercoaster. I hope the audience fully commits themselves to the story when watching so they can fully absorb all of the emotions, music, and visuals.”
