A musical of epic proportions swims onto the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre stage when the LMC Visual & Performing Arts Department presents Big Fish. Performances are at 7 p.m. March 26-28 and 2 p.m. March 29. Tickets are available online at www.TheMendelCenter.com/events.
Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish follows a son, Will Bloom, who longs to connect with his father, Edward Bloom. As a child, Will felt he never truly knew his father, a traveling salesman who was often away. To make up for his absences, Edward would return home with fantastical tales filled with larger-than-life characters: giants, witches, magical caves, fields of daffodils, circuses, and more.
“Big Fish is a story full of magic and dazzling spectacle, which correlates with our season of magic and fantasy. We hope the audience enjoys taking this imaginative and emotional journey with us,” stated director and LMC Theatre Instructor Shalico Sain.
Regarding the story’s timeless themes of love, loss, and family, Sain added, “This story resonates personally with me since I lost my father to cancer a few years ago. Every family has its own familial myths it passes down from generation to generation to carry on tradition and story. Sharing this musical and celebrating those types of stories and bonds is kind of my way to pay homage to him and my memories of him.”
To bring the larger-than-life story alive on the Jenkins Theatre stage, large-scale LED video wall panels and digital scenery will provide the backdrop for a professional-level theater experience. The College is working with the local film production company Little Red Fern, led by Ryan Cheevers, to create the imagery that will be shown during the production.
Students will gain real-world production experience by assisting with the equipment load-in, panel installation, programming, and panel teardown. The hands-on learning opportunity is a resume builder for students looking to get into the technical aspects of the performing arts.
Funding for the rental of advanced theater technology and graphics production was provided by the Berrien Community Foundation with support from Ann Marie Marlow.
Sain said she has used a casting concept similar to the film, in which two actors each play both Edward and Sandra. The Big Fish cast was selected during auditions in December and features LMC students and alumni, as well as community members of all ages. Those starring in the show are:
Jason Adams as Current Edward
Landon Mitchell as Past Edward Bloom
Laura Neuroth as Current Sandra
Ella Harris as Past Sandra Bloom
Wes Shenker as Will Bloom
Jack Selvidge as Young Will
Summer Leadingham as Josephine Bloom
Jacob Prillwitz as Karl the Giant
Kip Bartloff as Amos Calloway
Klare Johnson as The Witch
Nora Bomar as Jenny Hill
AJ Dyer as Don Price
Z Childs as Zackary Price
Niko Brown-Parrot as Doctor Bennet, Judge
Lauren Lovell as Alabama Lambs/Cheerleaders/Sorority Sisters
Faith Simmons as Alabama Lambs/Cheerleaders/Sorority Sisters, Mermaid
Deonna McGrew as Alabama Lambs/Cheerleaders/Sorority Sisters
Ani Doyle as Red Fang, Witch Ensemble
Erika Vondale as Dream Sandra, Witch Ensemble
Wyatt Arms as Fisherman, Sharecropper
Sienna Harris as New York Doctor
Triss Wright as Witch Ensemble
Laura Gomez as Witch Ensemble
Jessica Lewis as Witch Ensemble
Allison MacMillan as Mayor, Schoolteacher
Juno Agens as Little Girl with Orange Cat
Charles Larson as Hot-Blooded Shotgun Toter, Cowboy
Noah Kasuba as Barber
Deejay Dortch as Shepherd
Quintin Sharpe as Juggler
Eva Olson as Over-excited Scout
Sadie Olson as Scout
Cassidy Wang as Scout
Reis Leaverton as Farm Girl, Scout
Asher Bansen as Will’s Son, Scout
The production features a live orchestra assembled by Rebecca Selvidge, the show’s music director. The orchestra is composed of LMC faculty, students, alumni, and community members and arts educators in the region. Orchestra members include:
Lane Alsup, Keyboard
Rachel Cabanilla-Sinnett, Violin
Jared Coller, Percussion
Brenna Giazzon, French Horn
Jason Gresl, Reeds
Alexandra Lee, Keyboard, Rehearsal Accompanist
Deyton Lee, Percussion
Danny Lopez, Trumpet
Glenn McFarland, Drum Set
Susan Dietrich Reed, Cello
Luis Sanchez, Trumpet
Sean Sinnett, Viola
Benjamin VanRoekel, Reeds
Brandon Yenchus, Upright and Electric Bass
The Big Fish production team includes LMC faculty, staff, and students as well as community members. They are:
Rob Lunn, LMC Visual & Performing Arts Department Chair
Shalico Sain, LMC Theater Faculty, Producer & Director
Rebecca Selvidge, LMC Music Lecturer, Music Director
Mindy McCaffrey, LMC Visual & Performing Arts Department Administrative Assistant
Paige Mulick (LMC Alum), Choreographer
Garreth Smiley, Stage Manager
Gavin Blake, ASM/Props
Kyra Utroske, Production Manager/Set Designer & Scenic Artist
Dolphy Clark, Light Designer/Technical Director
John Taylor, Set Designer/Master Carpenter
Cindy Jakeway, Scenic Artist
Force Tech, Sound Design
Tabitha Hoskins, Costume Designer
Ryan Cheevers – Little Red Fern, Digital Scenic Design
Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students under 18. Tickets are available at www.TheMendelCenter.com/events
Big Fish is based on the book by John August, music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on the novel Big Fish by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Pictures film screenplay written by John August. Originally produced on Broadway by Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen and Stage Entertainment with Roy Furman, Broadway Across America/Rich Entertainment Group, John Domo, The Nederlander Organization and Edward Walson in association with CJ E&M, Dancing Elephant Productions, Parrothead Productions, Carole L. Haber, Peter May/Jim Fantaci, Ted Liebowitz/Joe Piacentile and Columbia Pictures.
