"Big Fish" Takes Stage at the Morgan Theatre with ASL Performance

Big Fish, the musical with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by John August, takes stage at the Morgan Theatre Friday, April 14. The show runs nightly April 14, 15, 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. There is a 2 p.m. matinee April 22. The musical is based on the 2003 Tim Burton film of the same title.

Big Fish reminds one why they should never grow up. Traveling salesman Edward Bloom tells incredible, larger-than-life tales that thrill everyone around him. His son, Will, who is about to have a child of his own, is on a quest to find the truth behind the epic tales. Join the Blooms as they meet a friendly giant, a soothsaying witch and adorable dancing circus elephants.

“This is truly a heartwarming story of the relationship between a father and son and the journey throughout their lives,” Jason Spelbring, director of the show and assistant professor in the Caine College of the Arts, said. “We are really pulling out all the stops with technology and set design for Big Fish.”

The musical also features a beautiful collaboration with the Department of Music in the Caine College of the Arts. There will be a live, six-piece orchestra led by Dallas Heaton and six music majors in the cast.       

Spelbring says it’s lovely to see the crossover of students that is leading up to the beginning of more collaborations between the music and theatre arts departments.

One new aspect of this musical is that there will be an American Sign Language accompanied performance on April 20.

“When theater education major Sherre Barnes approached me with the idea of including a signed performance, I didn’t miss a beat before I said ‘absolutely,’” Spelbring said. “This performance is special to me because early in my career I did a summer at the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival where I shared the stage with ASL interpreters.”

Barnes has acted as the liaison between the Department of Theatre Arts and Deaf Education Department at USU.

“I’m hoping if we get a good turnout and do a good job for hearing impaired patrons they will enjoy the experience and it will become the new standard for our department,” Barnes said.

Tickets for Big Fish are $18 adults, $15 seniors/youth, $10 USU faculty/staff and free for USU students with ID.  This heartwarming musical is suitable for the entire family. For more information or tickets, contact the CCA Box Office in room L101 of the Chase Fine Arts Center on USU’s campus, call 435-797-8022, or go online to cca.usu.edu.

Writer and contact: Whitney Schulte, whitney.schulte@usu.edu, 435-797-9203