From Aug. 5 through Aug. 9, SoL Theatre will be staging its next mainstage production, “Big Fish.”
Based on the book by Daniel Wallace and the film by Tim Burton, this musical adaptation tells the story of traveling salesman Edward Bloom, portrayed in this production by Gerald DeLisser and Landan Berlof, who play the present and past versions of Edward, respectively. The whimsical, wacky and outlandish adventures of his life mesmerize the people around him, but especially his wife Sandra, portrayed by Kassidy Birdsong and Brittany Crooke.
“I got to do this show for the first time when I was in high school. I was in it, and it was like one of my favorite theater experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I’ve done theater since I was five — this show always stuck out to me as one of my favorites,” Maizy Post, director of this production, said.
Berlof, who is coming into this production on the heels of Theatre Aspen’s “A Chorus Line,” expressed his excitement for being a part of this immersive production with an equally immersive community before he departs back to New York. Berlof said this show holds special meaning for him and he is excited to finally be able to engage with the production.
“I’ve been called to ‘Big Fish’ for a long time. It actually reminds me a lot of this phase of life I’m going through,” Berlof said. “When I came here, I was challenged to stay for a full year. Being immersed in the community, and especially with SoL, finding that love of theater with other people of this community that have a myriad of jobs, mothers, fathers, florists, you know, real estate agents, like all these different things, and aerialists; finding that community has been so special.”
Post, who is making her SoL Theatre directorial debut with this production, took the creative liberty to split the roles of Edward and Sandra between two actors per role to provide more perspective on the characters’ lives and to give more opportunities to community members involved in the production.
“In the Broadway show, Edward and Sandra are played by one actor, but because it’s a community show, I wanted to make more opportunities and let this be something that everyone could be a part of,” Post said. “I also thought that it would be interesting to have the perspectives of different actors at different stages in their lives and use something different in the flashbacks versus the present that you wouldn’t get with one person. Something I’m drawn to about this story is it’s a very human show with really real people, which in musical theater you don’t always get. There’s a lot of extravagant, over the top things, but this is about real people.”
The story also follows Bloom’s son, Will, portrayed in this production by John Konstantopoulos, who is about to become a father and takes it upon himself to uncover the truth behind his father’s larger-than-life stories.
“[This show] speaks to how you can become immortalized through the memories you make with people who know and love you, and through the stories they may have about you,” DeLisser said when discussing how audiences may see themselves or their lives through this show.
DeLisser also expressed how the element of community and connection speaks to him through his role as Edward Bloom.
“One of my favorite parts of playing Edward is how he makes everyone feel around him. He makes everyone feel important. As much as he tries to make his life about him being a hero and him being magical, he also does that for the other people around him too, makes them bigger than life, and I’ve always admired that in characters,” DeLisser said.
His points were echoed by Birdsong, whose three children will also be appearing in this show alongside the over 30 cast members, who expressed gratitude for this production and how the community has exuded the same magic and care for one another that will be seen on stage.
“Initially when I heard about this show, I was like, ‘It’s a boy story, and I don’t want to do a boy story.’ But shame on me for losing the Sandra plot. In my role, I’m excited to have a role in the show that celebrates being a consistent, faithful, loving light in the world,” Birdsong said. “I think the most rewarding part of it has been how the community has shown up for my family. The other kids in the cast have played Legos with the little guy, and SoL kids are my best babysitters, and some of the 20-somethings helped me move. It’s given back as much as I’ve put in.”
T he show at Thunder River Theatre runs Aug. 5 to 9. For times/tickets, visit SoLsummertheatre.org