{"id":251824,"date":"2017-06-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-06-30T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/big-fish-and-tall-tales\/"},"modified":"2017-06-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-06-30T07:00:00","slug":"big-fish-and-tall-tales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/big-fish-and-tall-tales\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Big Fish\u2019 and tall tales\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Por Jean Lowerison | Revisi\u00f3n de teatro<\/p>\n

I can identify with Edward Bloom. When he sings \u201cWe were born to wake each morn\/Someplace we\u2019ve never been,\u201d that wanderlust gets to me too.<\/p>\n

The difference is that I\u2019m single and unencumbered. Edward is married, and son Will wishes his traveling salesman dad were around more, like for his soccer games.<\/p>\n

\"\u2018Big
Brandon Joel Maier, playing the role of Edward Bloom in “Big Fish,” steps up to bat as the cast cheers him on. (Photos courtesy of Lamb’s Players Theatre)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Instead, when dad is around, he\u2019s spinning crazy fish stories, like being swallowed by one \u2014 and surviving. Or claiming to know how to make fish leap out of the water onto the riverbank so you can have that fish dinner.<\/p>\n

\u201cBig Fish\u201d jumps back and forth in time, as Edward is reminded of yet another story he just has to tell.<\/p>\n

But now Will is grown up and about to marry fianc\u00e9e Josephine, and all he wants from his dad is a promise to refrain from monopolizing the reception with more fish stories or endless (embarrassing) toasts.<\/p>\n

\"\u2018Big
Caitie Grady as Josephine and Brandon Joel Maier as Edward Bloom in Lambs Player’s “Big Fish”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But people don\u2019t change that easily, so get ready to hear about Edward\u2019s rich fantasy life. There\u2019s a mermaid (Mary Joe Duggan), a giant named Karl (Jack French), a traveling carnival run by Amos Calloway (John Rosen) and best of all, Anise Ritchie\u2019s wondrous fine Witch.<\/p>\n

Lamb\u2019s Players Theatre presents \u201cBig Fish\u201d the musical, based on the 2003 Tim Burton film and the Daniel Wallace book of the same title. John August wrote the book (and also the screenplay for the film). Music and lyrics are by Andrew Lippa (who also wrote the music for \u201cThe Farnsworth Invention\u201d).<\/p>\n

There are several versions of this musical, with some song and cast changes. Moonlight Stage Productions did the big, splashy Broadway version a few seasons back.<\/p>\n

\"\u2018Big
(l to r) Gavin Reed August as Young Will and Maier in “Big Fish”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lamb\u2019s has opted for the smaller version that calls for just 12 actors. There\u2019s something to be said for the intimacy of a smaller production, but this show about big stories seems to lose a little in translation when so confined.<\/p>\n

Still, Lamb\u2019s has a fine cast. It\u2019s good to see Brandon Joel Maier back on the local stage as Edward, who loves his son Will but expresses it in ways the boy will not understand until much later. Gavin Reid August is charming as the young Will. Michael Cusimano\u2019s adult Will shares a wonderfully poignant song with his father called \u201cThe River Between Us,\u201d which begins this way:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This river between us grows wider each day<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He talks, but he mostly has little to say.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I beg him to separate truth from the tale,<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But the river invites him.<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

In the end, Will understands that his father has not been trying to impress, but rather to inspire his son via the power of storytelling, and wants the boy to \u201cbe the hero of your story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\u2018BigAll of the other actors are equally fine, and backed up by an excellent production team. Mike Buckley\u2019s set is simple but versatile. Michael McKeon and Patrick Duffy\u2019s projections are particularly effective, as are Jeanne Reith\u2019s clever costumes. Nathan Peirson\u2019s lighting and Patrick Duffy\u2019s sound design set the tone effectively.<\/p>\n

Conductor Andy Ingersol and his six fine musicians play from the top of this very high set.<\/p>\n

\u201cBig Fish\u201d offers an often charming lesson in growing up. Stories are good, but the Witch has the best advice of all: \u201cThe ones who face their fears lead the most interesting lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014Jean Lowerison es miembro desde hace mucho tiempo del C\u00edrculo de Cr\u00edticos de Teatro de San Diego y puede ser contactada en infodame@cox.net<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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