Audiences attending Montezuma-Cortez High School’s production of the musical “Big Fish” this weekend can expect to be dazzled by the show, actor Liz Story said.
“Magic comes to life,” Story said. “It’s a roller coaster all-in-all.”
The curtain opens for the show Friday at 7 p.m. at Ralph E. Vavak Auditorium. Additional performances will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., March 18 at 7 p.m. and March 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Kids age 5 and under are free.
The musical is based on David Wallace’s 1998 novel and Tim Burton’s 2003 film. In it, Will Bloom is about to become a father. Meanwhile, Will’s father, Ed, is forced to confront his own mortality. “Big Fish” follows Will’s story as he tries to learn more about his father, who is known for telling larger-than-life stories.
The M-CHS show’s director, Nicholaus Sandner, said he chose “Big Fish” because he liked the musical’s themes of family, fatherhood, mortality and legacy. The school drama department’s theme this year is “All About Family,” so this musical was a good choice, Sandner said.
It’s the first musical the department will stage at the new high school building, Sandner said. He said he’s looking forward to using the new equipment for the ambitious production. The show features more than 10 different locations, including a haunted forest, he said. It also features mythical creatures such as giants and mermaids.
“We’re really excited to try out the new space,” Sandner said. “We have a really strong cast, and the play has something for everyone. There are lots of emotional moments.”
Story, who plays Ed Bloom’s wife Sandra, said the show has a little bit of everything. She said the audience can expect not only side-splitting laughs, but also somber tears. She said the audience should expect the unexpected.
“It doesn’t sound like what it’s going to be,” Story said.
David Gonzales-Overton plays Ed Bloom. He said he looks forward to the dances, which he said are very well-choreographed and will be fun for the audience.
Gonzales-Overton also said “Big Fish” is humorous but delivers some poignant lessons.
“I’m excited to see (the show) come together,” Gonzales-Overton said. “It has a great lesson about family — that you always need to be there for each other.”