Showbiz Chicago Photo Spotlight: Jedlicka Performing Arts Center Presents The New Broadway Musical BIG FISH Through Aug. 9

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center concludes its 2013-14 season with the new Broadway musical BIG FISH with music and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa, book by esteemed screenwriter John August, directed by Artistic Director Dante J. Orfei, music direction by John Warren and choreography by Dina DiCostanzo. BIG FISH will play July 25 – August 9, 2014 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero. Tickets are available at www.jpactheatre.com or by calling (708) 656-1800. 

BIG FISH will feature Edward J. MacLennan as Edward Bloom, Marisa Boynton as Sandra Bloom, Taylor Okey as Will Bloom, Morgan Glynn Briggs as Josephine, Landon Barnickel as Young Will, Jonah D. Winston as Karl, The Giant, Jordan Taylor as Don Price, Peter Rugar as Zacky Price, Daniel Hurtado as Dr. Bennett, Louie Bartolomeo as Amos Calloway, Jerica Exum as The Witch, Aimee Erickson Langenfield as Jenny Hill and Warren Karas as The Mayor. The ensemble cast also includes Heidi Buyck, Alex Campea, Christie Coran, Brianne DeFrang, Michael DeFrang, Matthew Dunn, Nic Eastlund, Alicia Hurtado, Kelly Maryanski, Allyssa O’Donnell, Jenna Payne, Jordan Taylor, Katherine Trainor, Laura Williams and JZ Zaeske

Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the popular 2003 film directed by Tim Burton, BIG FISH is the fantastical musical tale of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest… and then some!  Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him – most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to discover the truth behind his father’s epic tales.

The production team for BIG FISH includes Michael Nedza (scenic designer/technical director), Genesee Spridco (costume design), Dante J. Orfei (lighting design) and Michael Kott (multimedia design).

PRODUCTION DETAILS

Title:  BIG FISH

Music and Lyrics: Andrew Lippa

Book: John August

Director: Artistic Director Dante J. Orfei

Musical Director: John Warren

Choreographer: Dina DiCostanzo

Cast: Edward J. MacLennan (Edward Bloom), Marisa Bynton (Sandra Bloom) Taylor Okey (Will Bloom) Morgan Glynn Briggs (Josephine), Landon Barnickel (Young Will), Jonah D. Winston (Karl, The Giant), Jordan Taylor (Don Price), Peter Rugar (Zacky Price), Daniel Hurtado (Dr. Bennett), Louie Bartolomeo (Amos Calloway), Jerica Exum (The Witch), Aimee Erickson Langfield (Jenny Hill) and Warren Karas (The Mayor). The ensemble cast also includes Heidi Buyck, Alex Campea, Christie Coran, Brianne DeFrang, Michael DeFrang, Matthew Dunn, Nic Eastlund, Alicia Hurtado, Kelly Maryanski, Allyssa O’Donnell, Jenna Payne, Jordan Taylor, Katherine Trainer, Laura Williams and JZ Zaeske.

Musicians: Lara Regan (Reed 1), Morgan Kupec (Reed 2), Ryan Hobbs (Trumpet), Jordan Tyner (French Horn), Julia Birnbaum (Violin), Nicholas Jeffery (Viola), Sarah Ritch (Cello), Robert Dietz (Keyboard 1), Carissa Gonzalez (Keyboard 2), Brent Moore (Guitar 1), Andrea Salcedo (Guitar 2), Chris Wysoglad (Bass), Mike Pryzgoda (Drums) and Jesus Velasquez (Percussion)

Location: Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave., Cicero

Dates:  Press performances:  Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 pm

Regular run:  Sunday, July 27 – Saturday, August 9, 2014

Curtain Times:  Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm

Tickets:  $18. $16 senior discount. Group rates are available. Tickets are available at www.jpactheatre.com or by calling (708) 656-1800.

Parking:  Free parking is available.

About the Creative Team:

Dante J. Orfei (Director) has been the Artistic Director at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center for over 25 years. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has produced and directed a travel documentary titled European Sojourn, which aired on PBS. Dante also directed the U.S. Premiere of the musical Metropolis and worked closely with the show’s creator, Academy and Grammy Award-winner Joseph Brooks on the development of the show. Dante directed the national regional theatre premiere of Brooks’ most recent Broadway show, In My Life. He has studied with Tony Award-winners Harold Prince and Jules Fisher. He directed the Midwest Regional Premiere of the Queen rock musical, We Will Rock You, and has also directed the World Premiere of Nefertiti – The Musical, as well as premiere Chicago productions of Little Women, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love, Blood Brothers, Jekyll and Hyde, The Baker’s Wife, and numerous plays by Olivier Award-winning playwright Ray Cooney, including the U.S. Premiere of Cooney’s It Runs in the Family. Dante has directed well over 175 stage productions on the professional, dinner theatre and academic levels.

John Warren (Music Director) is excited to collaborate on another JPAC production. Previous music directing credits at JPAC include It’s A Grand Night for Singing, Sunset Boulevard, and Legally Blonde. No stranger to the JPAC stage, John has performed in both Phantom of the Opera and Man of La Mancha. John is the head of music studies at Morton College, and he is excited to get a chance to work with another wonderful group of musicians!

 Jedlicka Performing Arts Center strives to bring audiences a variety of theatrical pieces, from the classics to premiere works, providing an environment of excitement and discovery for its patrons while maintaining a unique performance venue for its artists.  For additional information, visit www.jpactheatre.com.