Adventurous stories mixed with the sentimental tugs of fatherhood and forgiveness, take the stage in Upper Darby Summer Stage’s “Big Fish."
Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 film directed by Tim Burton, "Big Fish" tells the story of Edward Bloom (Chris Monaco of Drexel Hill), a charming traveling salesman who has shared his wild stories of giants and witches to his wife Sandra (Sarah DeNight of Philadelphia) and their son Will (Chris Murphy Smith of Philadelphia) for years.
Now grown, Will is somewhat embarrassed by his father, whose tales of mermaids and werewolves have become more tiresome than treasured. Recently married and expecting a child with his wife, Josephine (Sabrina Follo of Springfield), Will is distancing himself from his dad. The story shifts between two timelines and during a flashback scene in “Be the Hero,” Edward implores his young son Will (the talented Mickey Geddes) to rewrite his own fate. In the present-day real world, senior citizen Edward Bloom faces his mortality while Will strives to learn his father's true history.
The Mainstage show features a wide range of talents to close out Summer Stage's 44th season. John Fioravanti is an expert on stilts as he plays the larger than life giant, Karl. Rachel Medori, who starred as Dorothy Brock in last summer's "42nd Street," is back now as the Witch who informs Edward on how he'll leave this world. Muhammad commands the stage as the Calloway Circus ringmaster. DeNight, as the ever understanding wife Sandra, is wonderful in her scenes with Smith. During the Calloway Circus scene, DeNight is incredible performing with the Alabama Lambs trio.
I can't imagine a Mainstage show without Monaco. Starring in his 12th Mainstage musical, Monaco is charismatic as the always striving to please Edward. Capping off 21 stellar performances in Summer Stage shows, Megan Dietzler portrays Jenny, Edward's earnest high school sweetheart. It's been a joy watching them both perform for more than a decade in such musicals as "Titanic," "Hairspray," "Shrek" and "Fiddler on the Roof."
The highly entertaining tap-infused USO show scene compensates for the somewhat meandering plot. Choreographer Devon Sinclair made it appear effortless as the cast tapped across the stage in intricate, and exhausting, formations.
Longtime Summer Stager Brian Walsh directs the extensive cast of over 50 actors. The set, designed by Martin Dallago, features two rotating sets that seamlessly transforms from Will's childhood bedroom to a circus performance. The high energy music of the 12-piece orchestra is piped in from the band room.
The costume designs by Kayla Speedy emphasizes traveling salesman Edward's too busy dreaming to worry about clothes look, with loose ties and unbutton shirts instead of business suits. The ringmaster's tailcoat with its black lapels and brass buttons, and the mermaid's brilliant emerald sequined gown and fishtail, captures the whimsical imagination from Edward's dreams.
While not my favorite show, Upper Darby Summer Stage’s “Big Fish" is an enjoyable production due to the amazing singing and dancing talents of its actors.
If you go: “Big Fish” at Upper Darby Summer Stage, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave. in Upper Darby, continues Friday, Aug. 2, Saturday, Aug. 3, Friday, Aug. 9 and Saturday, Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. There is also an afternoon show on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are between $16-$20 and the show is recommended to those ages 12 and up. Running time is two and a half hours with an intermission.
ASC lifeguard Jake Muldoon learned to juggle for the show.
ASC lifeguard Patrick Sayers does a standing back flip during the show.
Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 film directed by Tim Burton, "Big Fish" tells the story of Edward Bloom (Chris Monaco of Drexel Hill), a charming traveling salesman who has shared his wild stories of giants and witches to his wife Sandra (Sarah DeNight of Philadelphia) and their son Will (Chris Murphy Smith of Philadelphia) for years.
Now grown, Will is somewhat embarrassed by his father, whose tales of mermaids and werewolves have become more tiresome than treasured. Recently married and expecting a child with his wife, Josephine (Sabrina Follo of Springfield), Will is distancing himself from his dad. The story shifts between two timelines and during a flashback scene in “Be the Hero,” Edward implores his young son Will (the talented Mickey Geddes) to rewrite his own fate. In the present-day real world, senior citizen Edward Bloom faces his mortality while Will strives to learn his father's true history.
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(From left) Chris Monaco (Edward Bloom), Malik Muhammad (Amos Calloway), Sarah DeNight (Sandra Bloom) and Chris Murphy Smith (Will Bloom). Photo by Jim Mergliano.
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The Mainstage show features a wide range of talents to close out Summer Stage's 44th season. John Fioravanti is an expert on stilts as he plays the larger than life giant, Karl. Rachel Medori, who starred as Dorothy Brock in last summer's "42nd Street," is back now as the Witch who informs Edward on how he'll leave this world. Muhammad commands the stage as the Calloway Circus ringmaster. DeNight, as the ever understanding wife Sandra, is wonderful in her scenes with Smith. During the Calloway Circus scene, DeNight is incredible performing with the Alabama Lambs trio.
I can't imagine a Mainstage show without Monaco. Starring in his 12th Mainstage musical, Monaco is charismatic as the always striving to please Edward. Capping off 21 stellar performances in Summer Stage shows, Megan Dietzler portrays Jenny, Edward's earnest high school sweetheart. It's been a joy watching them both perform for more than a decade in such musicals as "Titanic," "Hairspray," "Shrek" and "Fiddler on the Roof."
The highly entertaining tap-infused USO show scene compensates for the somewhat meandering plot. Choreographer Devon Sinclair made it appear effortless as the cast tapped across the stage in intricate, and exhausting, formations.
Longtime Summer Stager Brian Walsh directs the extensive cast of over 50 actors. The set, designed by Martin Dallago, features two rotating sets that seamlessly transforms from Will's childhood bedroom to a circus performance. The high energy music of the 12-piece orchestra is piped in from the band room.
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| Sarah (Sandra) and Chris (Edward) sing amongst the falling daffodils. |
The costume designs by Kayla Speedy emphasizes traveling salesman Edward's too busy dreaming to worry about clothes look, with loose ties and unbutton shirts instead of business suits. The ringmaster's tailcoat with its black lapels and brass buttons, and the mermaid's brilliant emerald sequined gown and fishtail, captures the whimsical imagination from Edward's dreams.
While not my favorite show, Upper Darby Summer Stage’s “Big Fish" is an enjoyable production due to the amazing singing and dancing talents of its actors.
If you go: “Big Fish” at Upper Darby Summer Stage, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave. in Upper Darby, continues Friday, Aug. 2, Saturday, Aug. 3, Friday, Aug. 9 and Saturday, Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. There is also an afternoon show on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are between $16-$20 and the show is recommended to those ages 12 and up. Running time is two and a half hours with an intermission.
ASC lifeguard Jake Muldoon learned to juggle for the show.
ASC lifeguard Patrick Sayers does a standing back flip during the show.
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