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Overview

Synopsis

Edward Bloom has lived a full and fantastical life, populated by witches, giants, and mermaids, marked by true love that stops time in its tracks, and framed by heroics that push the limits of believability. His adult son, Will, is no longer amused by his father’s fantastical tales, insisting on a rational rather than a fantastical account of one’s life. When Edward’s health declines, and Will learns that he and his wife, Josephine, will have a son of their own, Will decides to find out his father’s “true” life story, once and for all. Big Fish is a heartfelt, powerful, and truly magical musical about fathers, sons, and the stories that we use to define our identities. With spine-tinglingly beautiful music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, and a funny, heartwarming book by John August, Big Fish is a magnificent “big fish” of a tale, itself -- spectacular, fantastical, and overflowing with love.

Show Information

Music
Andrew Lippa
Lyrics
Andrew Lippa
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2013
Genres
Drama, Romance, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
Settings
Spectacle
Time & Place
edward and sandra bloom’s home in alabama, the present. also various fantasy locations in alabama in the 1950s.
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Heavy
Ideal For
Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Child Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Edward Bloom

Lead

Male

Baritone

Will Bloom

Lead

Male

Tenor

Sandra Bloom

Lead

Female

Soprano

Josephine Bloom

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Karl

Supporting

Male

Bass

Amos Calloway

Supporting

Male

Baritone

The Witch

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Jenny Hill

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Dr. Bennett

Featured

Male

Spoken

Young Will

Featured

Male

Zachy Price

Featured

Male

Tenor

Don Price

Featured

Male

Baritone

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Songs

Act One

  • Prologue – Orchestra
  • Be the Hero – Edward Bloom and Company
  • The Witch – The Witch, Edward Bloom and Company
  • Stranger – Will Bloom
  • Two Men in My Life – Sandra Bloom
  • Out There on the Road – Edward Bloom, Karl, Jenny Hill and Company
  • Little Lamb from Alabama – Sandra Bloom and Alabama Lambs
  • Time Stops – Edward Bloom and Sandra Bloom
  • Closer to Her – Amos Calloway, Edward Bloom and Company
  • Daffodils – Edward Bloom and Sandra Bloom

Act Two

  • Red, White and True – Edward Bloom, Sandra Bloom and Company
  • Fight the Dragons – Edward Bloom and Young Will Bloom
  • Showdown – Will Bloom, Edward Bloom and Company
  • I Don't Need a Roof – Sandra Bloom
  • Start Over – Edward Bloom, Don Price, Amos Calloway, Karl and Company
  • What's Next – Will Bloom, Edward Bloom and Company
  • How It Ends – Edward Bloom
  • The Procession - Company
  • Be the Hero (Reprise) – Will Bloom

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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