Get ready for Big Fish to take the big stage

Katie White ‘20, Managing/Copy Editor

The South Lyon High School Theatre program is officially underway to produce this year’s musical, Big Fish. The story surrounds Edward Bloom, whose thrilling stories are larger than life. As his son Will is preparing to become a father himself, he decides to venture on to discover the truth behind Edward’s extravagant adventures before he dies of cancer. Their relationship becomes strained as Will is forced to either accept his father’s stories as truth or lose their connection if he does not believe them.

The main cast of Bloom’s family is made up of senior Walter Alexander, senior Nick Smathers, senior Marina McMahon, junior Cassidy Lynn, and freshman Tyler Garret.

 The company is ecstatic to put on this show and step outside their comfort zones, especially for first time actors like senior Amanda Liss. “This show has a lot more dancing than our past shows, and it has been a really fun challenge learning them all, especially since this is my first time on stage,” she said. Liss decided to try something new as a senior and auditioned for a part in the cast rather than being behind the scenes like in previous shows. 

 Others, like Smathers, are basking in their last moments on the stage that they have acted on for the past four years. He said, about the sentimental value of the show, “Big Fish is a celebration of imagination and storytelling. A huge story with a huge heart.” Between long rehearsals four nights a week and spending hours on end constructing the set, the company is able to bond in order to deliver their best possible performances. 

The musical will premiere April 23-26 in the SLHS auditorium with evening shows beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available to purchase through any company member for $10, or at the door for $12. As Smathers said, “It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and everything in between. It’s a universal musical for everyone; you don’t want to miss it!” 

Photo courtesy of slhstheatre.com