Great catch at MacEwan

Buddy movies are so well received by audiences that Hollywood churns out B scripts like candy.

However, Big Fish, the father-son tale based on the 1998 novel by Daniel Wallace stands in a class of its own.

Engrossed by the fantastical source material, the MacEwan University musical theatre program and theatre production programs debut Big Fish from Feb. 5 to 14 at the John L. Haar Theatre.

“It’s a beautiful story about family and what’s really important. You get emotionally involved without getting too sentimental. There’s beautiful music, a strong cast and a great showcase of what we’ve learned in the program,” says Morinville actor Rory Turner (Catch Me If You Can).

Often cast as an older male due to his height and deeper voice, Turner has landed one of the lead roles as Edward Bloom.

Adapted from Tim Burton’s acclaimed film, the musical is set in the American Deep South. Throughout its surreal plot, it reinforces the South’s tradition of narrating tall tales without exploiting the more common stereotypes.

Edward Bloom is an older, dying man replete with rambling, fishy yarns. Everyone is charmed but his son. A journalist on the cusp of fatherhood, Will develops this inherent need to know if his father is a con artist or if, in fact, his loopy anecdotes are true.

After all, how many kids would believe their father met a swamp witch foretelling his death? Or a mermaid taught him to love or he joined a circus and discovered the ringmaster was a werewolf? Sounds impossible, no?

“Will is so skeptical of everything. It contrasts with everything about his father. Nothing in his father’s stories resonate with him. He looks at the facts instead of the meanings behind them,” Turner said.

Even though Edward is by the far the most colourful character and the musical’s driving force, Turner points out the crucial thrust is the transformation of Will’s life.

“Leading up to his father suffering a stroke, Will has tried to figure out the true events, but there was one story Edward never told.” And that is for the audience to discover.

Ultimately, it’s about people leading their lives to the fullest.

“Edward has a huge life with all these stories. He realizes that what it comes down to and what’s really important is his son and his wife.”

Melissa Cuerrier, chair of MacEwan’s theatre production faculty, was charged with designing a set reminiscent of nature and the outdoors.

“There’s so many water themes and we’re going to have a river and a cave. We’re framing the show with giant trees on either side of the stage,” said Cuerrier.

Oh yes, and the theatre magic extends to creating a 10-foot giant and his girlfriend and three tap dancing elephants operated by six actors. And that’s just the appetizer.

With 50 production students and 12 professors working months on this multi-media extravaganza, she encourages theatregoers to see Big Fish.

“But bring Kleenex because you’ll be weeping at the end.”