It’s a big cast, with a big set, big songs and an even bigger heart.
“Big, The Musical,” directed by Robert Prosch, opens at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in Langley Friday, Dec. 2 and runs through Dec. 17.
“Big, the Musical” is about every adult’s longing to return to the simpler days of childhood and every child’s desire to grow up, with a “careful what you wish for” admonishment in between.
“It is a wonderful show that really encompasses everything we are about as families, individuals and caring for one another, and why those relationships are important in our lives,” Prosch said of the show.
“Fortunately the young man whom this story is about has the opportunity to realize that he needs the experiences of his teenage years before it is too late.”
Based on the 1988 hit movie “Big” starring Tom Hanks, the play opened on Broadway in 1996 with music by David Shire, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and a book by Jerome Weidman. However, the show was one of the biggest money losers ever on the Great White Way, though it picked up five Tony nominations.
The musical was later rewritten and the second time around was a charm. On the regional circuit it received rave reviews as a “satisfyingly good show” in the grand tradition of everything one could ask for in musical theater — a story in which the audience gets a glimpse at the interior feelings of the characters, big songs to hum along to, with plenty of dance and a lot of laughs to boot.
As the story goes, Josh Baskin is a typical 12-year-old boy who plays baseball and has just started to discover girls. But his world is turned topsy-turvy overnight after he is granted his wish to be “big” by a “Zoltar Speaks” machine at a carnival. When he wakes up the next morning as an adult man, his mother mistakes him for an intruder and chases him out of the house.
Josh makes his away to Seattle, where he becomes an “idea man” at a toy company and has to reconcile his childish sense of wonder in the adult world of office politics and tricky romance. With the aid of his best friend Billy, Josh must cope with his new adulthood while finding another “Zoltar” machine so that he can wish himself a kid again.
In the WICA version, Melanie Lowey plays Diane. The director’s vision for this show, she said, can only be described as “gargantuan,” with a set design that has the crew knocking themselves out to make this production unforgettable and, well, big.
Prosch praised his design team for executing his ideas so well.
“The directing team has been marvelous to work with,” Prosch said.
“All of them have picked up my vision for the show and have carried it forward. It is so pleasing to see it all come to life,” he added.
Lowey also said that being in the cast of “Big” has been a whirlwind of fun for her.
“The cast is comprised of many talented, silly, bright people,” Lowey said.
“The dialogue is funny, the music is charming — at times hilarious — otherwise tear-jerking, especially when Liam Henny as little Josh sings “I Want to Know.”
The 12-year-old Liam, a sixth-grader at Langley Middle School, is somewhat of a veteran of the boards. His favorite roles so far he said have been as a ferret in the Whidbey Children’s Theater production of “Inside Frampton and the Outside World,” and as Edmund in that same company’s version of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
But playing the young Josh is a new challenge that Liam enjoys, especially since it allows him some major stage practice and a solo song.
It may become his favorite role yet, he said.
“I have to say my favorite song is my big solo, ‘I Want To Know.’ He is singing about how he feels toward everything that happened so far in the show,” Liam added.
And there is indeed a lot happening in this show, with a range of music that includes classical, jazz and rap. Prosch said that every member of this 40-member cast dances in many of the numbers and there is only one scene in the show that doesn’t have music.
The Mack family — Keith, Melinda and their daughter, Hannah — have had to work hard like the rest of the ensemble, but have had more than a few laughs together learning lines, singing and dancing.
Melinda Mack plays Abigail.
“We sing the songs almost incessantly, review choreography in the kitchen, living room and sometimes grocery store,” Mack said. “We have been living it and breathing it for nine weeks.”
The director is proud of seeing both the experienced actors and those new to the stage take on the challenge of such a monumental show and deliver the goods.
“The cast has been delightful to work with,” Prosch said.
“I have often felt like ‘Dad’ — supporting, guiding, directing, sometimes correcting behavior, pleading, begging. LOL. I am so proud of every one of them.”
Sounds like the fun never stops, and with songs such as “The Time of Your Life,” “Fun,” “Welcome to MacMillan Toys,” and “Dancing All the Time” this musical packs plenty of happy-time shenanigans, while also revealing the ups and downs of growing up, with songs like “You’re a Big Boy Now,” “Stop Time” and “The Nightmare.”
Prosch said one of the best parts of the show for him is the story.
“I wish every teenager had the chance to be ‘big’ for a few weeks; to experience what adults really experience. Additionally,
I wish that every adult took the opportunity to again get in touch with his or her inner child,” the director said.
With such an emotional ride of a play, Lowey, Mack and Prosch all said it’s been a special experience to be a part of this all-ages cast. It has taken a village to realize this big show.
“The cast members all really try to take care of each other,” Lowey said.
“We are proud to be a part of the team,” Mack said. “This is truly a labor of love and a gift to the community.”
Liam was less philosophical about his job and said his main concentration is to “not screw up on my songs and remember my lines.”
“I’m still kind of nervous,” the actor said.
“But it’s a great show. There are some funny moments, awkward moments and some other moments. Come to it. There’s dancing, singing — the whole nine yards,” he said.
The “village” included in getting this big, big show onstage includes Chelsea Randall, who choreographed the many dance numbers. Sheila Weidendorf is the assistant musical director and instrumental lead; Ann Deacon, Tyler Raymond and Prosch designed the set; costumes are by Sheri Kelly, the lighting design is by Deacon; Sean Brennan, Christina Parker, Sarah Parker and Dwight Zehm made the props; and Alice Sterling is the stage manager.
The cast of “Big” also includes Anthony Caldwell, Jim Carroll, Jameson Cook, Jamie Cook, Paul Dickerson, Kim Dunkley, Mikkel Hustad, Savannah True Randall, Kathy Stanley, Tristan A.B. Steel, Ken Stephens, Andy Walker, Alyssa Woodbury, Megan Besst, Adrian Cook, Olivia Dunkley, Annika Hustad, Kari Hustad, Arthur Keast, Carson Keeley-Orr, Jordan Kelly, MacKenna Kelly, Sheri Kelly, Skye Kelly, Clara Larson-Clifford, Juliana Larson-Wickman, Sarah Parker, Margeaux Scholz, Aleah Stacey and Sarah Swanberg.
“Big, The Musical” plays at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 17.
Tickets range from $12 to $16 and are available at the WICA ticket office. Call 221-8268 or 800-638-7631, or go to www.WICAonline.com.
Special events
Brown bag prologue: 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 before the 2 p.m. performance.
Very BIG Toy Drive: New, donated toys will be used to decorate the set of “Big” and ultimately be sent to Holiday House for families in need of gifts for children. Drop off new toys between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or between 1 and 6 p.m. on Saturdays before Dec. 17.
