Jeff Skowron News

Big Fish officially opens this Saturday, November 1st. I'm surprised to find myself both happy and sad. I'm thrilled that we're opening, of course. The show is terrific, and I can't wait for audiences to see it. Very few people know Big Fish, so we get to perform for people who have no preconceptions of the show. They have a wonderful surprise awaiting them.

Based on Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel and Tim Burton's 2003 film of the same name, Big Fish, with a few minor changes in plot, becomes quite an imaginative musical...with Andrew Lippa composer of some of the best songs written for a Broadway show in a long time. So, it is hard to imagine why its Broadway run ended after a mere three months. Now in its West Coast premiere, Big Fish comes to MTW with a glorious cast directed by Larry Carpenter and choreographed by Peggy Hickey with vibrant sets and costumes from the original New York production. It's a real charmer and another big win for MTW.

Opening tomorrow -- Musical Theatre West (MTW) opens its 2014-2015 season, reeling in the West Coast premiere of the critically acclaimed Broadway musical Big Fish, a new musical, October 31 through November 16.

Musical Theatre West (MTW) opens its 2014-2015 season, reeling in the West Coast premiere of the critically acclaimed Broadway musical Big Fish, a new musical, tonight, October 31 through November 16.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: THE RIVER starts performances, LONESOME DEVIL opens off-Broadway, Michael Feinstein performs on PBS, BIG FISH brings tall tales to the West Coast, NYC's McKittrick Hotel hosts a Halloween bash and more!

Jeff Skowron is a chameleon. The versatile actor has appeared on Southern California stages playing everything from Thenardier in Les Miserables at La Mirada Theatre to Leo Bloom in The Producers at 3-D Theatricals -- roles for which he is currently nominated for an Ovation Award -- to The Baker in Into the Woods. He previously won the Ovation Award for his moving performance of Leo Frank in 3DT's award-winning revival of Parade, and that's in addition to his work on Broadway and in television & film. Next he steps into the traveling salesman shoes of Edward Bloom for the west coast premiere of Big Fish at Musical Theatre West. It's a role that continues to show his range in a production that will enchant audiences beginning October 31st.

I felt the tears building long before I released them. I stood stock still as my throat tightened and my breathing became shallow.

As I walked into rehearsal on Monday the sights of three elephant butts sticking out of a wall greeted me. 'Welcome to Big Fish,' they seemed to say. 'It gets even crazier from here.'

Musical Theatre West (MTW) opens its 2014-2015 season, reeling in the West Coast premiere of the critically acclaimed Broadway musical Big Fish, a new musical, October 31 through November 16.

Last Wednesday I showed up at Musical Theatre West for a Big Fish photo shoot, with baby Delilah once again in tow.

Nominees for the 2014 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards were announced on the evening of Monday, September 22 at Native Voices at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. The nominations were revealed by past Ovation Award recipients Gigi Bermingham, Brighid Fleming, Parmer Fuller, Jennifer Haley, Brian Kite, Glynn Turman, and John Zalewski, along with LA STAGE Alliance Chief Executive Officer Terence McFarland.

Nominees for the 2014 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards were announced on the evening of Monday, September 22 at Native Voices at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. The nominations were revealed by past Ovation Award recipients Gigi Bermingham, Brighid Fleming, Parmer Fuller, Jennifer Haley, Brian Kite, Glynn Turman, and John Zalewski, along with LA STAGE Alliance Chief Executive Officer Terence McFarland.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic South Pacific, a universally acclaimed musical theatre masterpiece, is the third show in the 2014 Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 64th season for the venerable Sacramento institution. Performances take place July 22 - 27. Check out a first look below!

The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic South Pacific, a universally acclaimed musical theatre masterpiece, is the third show in the 2014 Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 64th season for the venerable Sacramento institution. Performances take place July 22 - 27. Check out a first look below!

The Music Circus scenic design by Scott Klier and Jamie Kumpf is as alluring as the great island itself, with palm tree leaves and dim lights at the plantation to draw audiences in. Even those who claim South Pacific or Rodgers and Hammerstein as classic, but outworn and boring will find enchantment at the California Musical Theatre production.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic South Pacific, a universally acclaimed musical theatre masterpiece, is the third show in the 2014 Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 64th season for the venerable Sacramento institution. Performances take place tonight, July 22 - 27.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic South Pacific, a universally acclaimed musical theatre masterpiece, is the third show in the 2014 Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 64th season for the venerable Sacramento institution. Performances take place July 22 - 27.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic South Pacific, a universally acclaimed musical theatre masterpiece, is the third show in the 2014 Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 64th season for the venerable Sacramento institution. Performances are currently running through July 27. Check out a sneak peek below!

The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic South Pacific, a universally acclaimed musical theatre masterpiece, is the third show in the 2014 Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 64th season for the venerable Sacramento institution. Performances take place July 22 - 27.

California Musical Theatre released casting for the remaining shows in the 64th Music Circus season, a roster of actors including Broadway veterans, Tony nominees and audience favorites from previous Music Circus seasons, as well as actors with Sacramento-area ties. The five-show season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion includes the Music Circus premiere of the beloved Disney classic Mary Poppins, which runs through July 13, as well as other Tony Award-winning shows including Rodgers and Hammerstein's lush South Pacific, Lerner and Loewe's mystical Brigadoon, Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein's hilarious La Cage aux Folles, and the singular sensation A Chorus Line, which ended its week-long run on June 29. Music Circus casting for the season is determined after auditions are held in New York City, Los Angeles and Sacramento.