Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

VODE: Get A First Look At Marriott Theatre's With BIG FISH, The Musical

BIG FISH is the extraordinary story that reminds us why we love going to the theater – for an experience that's richer, funnier and bigger than life itself!

The Marriott Theatre's 2023 season launches with the family-friendly musical adventure, BIG FISH, now on stage through March 19, 2023. Get a first look at the production.

With a book by John August and music and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa, BIG FISH is based on the film screenplay by August and the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace. The production is directed by Henry Godinez and choreographed by Jeff Award winner Tommy Rapley, with musical direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson.

Twisting together two timelines, BIG FISH tells the story of charming traveling salesman Edward Bloom, who lives life to its fullest (and then some!), and his relationship with his adult son Will. In present-day Alabama, sixty-year-old Edward faces his final chapter while Will gets ready to face fatherhood himself. Returning to his teenage past, Edward spins larger-than-life stories of fairy-tale encounters with a Witch, a Giant, a Mermaid, and the love of his life, Sandra. Determined to find the truth behind Edward's tall tales, Will embarks on a journey of his own to uncover the secret his father's stories are hiding. Overflowing with heart and humor, BIG FISH is the extraordinary story that reminds us why we love going to the theater - for an experience that's richer, funnier and bigger than life itself!

BIG FISH stars Broadway sensation Alexander Gemignani (Marriott Theatre debut! Broadway: West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Carousel, Les Misérables, Sweeney Todd, Chicago) as "Edward Bloom," Heidi Kettenring (Over 25 shows at Marriott Theatre; Nessa in Broadway in Chicago's Wicked; National Tour: Disney's Beauty and the Beast) as "Sandra Bloom," and Michael Kurowski (Marriott Theatre: Grease; Paramount Theater: Newsies; Theater at the Center: Million Dollar Quartet) as their son "Will"; with William Daly and Archer Geye alternating performances as "Young Will/Will's Son," ensemble members Lydia Burke, Brandon Dahlquist, Lucy Godinez, Christopher Kale Jones, Emma Rosenthal, Allison Sill, Ayana Strutz, and Jonah D. Winston, and understudies Emily Ann Brooks, Andres Enriquez, Andrew Greiche, Sam Alan Johnson, Darryl D'Angelo Jones, and Jenny McPherson.

The artistic team bringing BIG FISH to enchanted life includes set designer Collette Pollard, costume designer Amanda Vander Byl, lighting designer Jesse Klug, sound designer Michael Daly, props designer Sally Zack, illusion consultant Benjamin Barnes, artistic associate Felicia P. Fields, stage manager Jessica Banaszak, assistant stage manager Richard Strimer, intimacy and fight choreographer Charlie Baker, dialect coach Eva Breneman, assistant director Lorenzo Rush, Jr. and associate director Tommy Rapley.

BIG FISH performances are Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with select Thursday 1:00 p.m. shows. Mr. Gemignani will not appear in performances March 4 and 5. Single ticket prices range from $59 to $64, excluding tax and handling fees. SUBSCRIPTIONS for the 2023 are now available. Call for student, senior, and military discounts. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings there are a limited number of dinner-theatre packages available for purchase through the Marriott Theatre Box Office. To make a restaurant reservation, please call 847.634.0100. Reservations strongly recommended. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets, please call The Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or go to Tickets.MarriottTheatre.com. Visit MarriottTheatre.com for more information.






Full Cast Announced For ASSASSINS Photo
Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's Assassins will be brought to Chicagoland by Wee Productions in Fall 2023.

Winifred Haun & Dancers Presents THE LIGHT IN SPRING At Unity Temple Photo
Winifred Haun & Dancers returns to Unity Temple on May 5 & 6 to present The Light in Spring: Dance & Music at Unity Temple. This will be the Company's third appearance at Frank Lloyd Wright's celebrated architectural masterpiece.

Honey West to Host NEW FACES SING BROADWAY 1984 at Porchlight Music Theatre Photo
Porchlight Music Theatre will present New Faces Sing Broadway 1984, hosted by Honey West, directed by Tommy Novak with music direction and arrangements by Micky York.

Comedian Chris Redd to Perform at The Den Theatre in June Photo
The Den Theatre will present comedian Chris Redd for five stand-up performances June 8 – 10, 2023.


More Hot Stories For You


VIDEO: First Look at Madhuri Shekar's A NICE INDIAN BOY at Olney Theatre Center in MarchVIDEO: First Look at Madhuri Shekar's A NICE INDIAN BOY at Olney Theatre Center in March
March 16, 2023

Get a first look at A Nice Indian Boy by Madhuri Shekar and directed by Zi Alikhan having its regional premiere in Olney Theatre Center's Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab in a production featuring the work of one of the fastest rising and prolific American Playwrights working.

VIDEO: Get A First Look At SEE HOW THEY RUN at Hale Center TheatreVIDEO: Get A First Look At SEE HOW THEY RUN at Hale Center Theatre
March 16, 2023

One of the most hilarious comedies of all time! First produced in 1949, audiences can’t get enough of this hysterical case of mistaken identity! Laugh yourself silly as the vicar, the maid, the military man, and the parishioner bound in and out of doors with breathtaking comedic skill…AND who’s in the lily pond? Happy New Year!

VIDEO: New Footage of Tyrick Wiltez Jones, Judy McLane & More in PUTTING IT TOGETHER at Pioneer Theatre CompanyVIDEO: New Footage of Tyrick Wiltez Jones, Judy McLane & More in PUTTING IT TOGETHER at Pioneer Theatre Company
March 15, 2023

Get a first look at Pioneer Theatre Company's musical revue Putting It Together from March 3 through 18. Celebrating the storied career of Stephen Sondheim-one which lasted over fifty years with productions on Broadway, the West End, and around the world-Putting It Together is the ultimate tribute to one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

VIDEO: Go Inside Rehearsals for LADY DAY at Philadelphia Theatre CompanyVIDEO: Go Inside Rehearsals for LADY DAY at Philadelphia Theatre Company
March 14, 2023

Go inside rehearsals of Lady Day at Philadelphia Theater Company with all new video. Lady Day is written by Lanie Robertson, with musical arrangements by Danny Holgate, and direction by Jeffrey L. Page.

VIDEO: Go Inside Rehearsals for INTO THE WOODS at Dallas Theater CenterVIDEO: Go Inside Rehearsals for INTO THE WOODS at Dallas Theater Center
March 14, 2023

Go inside rehearsals for Into the Woods at Dallas Theater Center! Check out video of the cast as they prepare for opening night.