Big Fish 2013 - Articles Page 1.8

Run Time:
2 hours and 30 minutes, with one intermission
Opened: October 6, 2013
Closing: December 29, 2013

Big Fish - 2013 - Broadway History , Info & More

Neil Simon Theatre (Broadway)
250 W. 52nd St. New York, NY 10019

BIG FISH is a new Broadway musical featuring direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), music and lyrics by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party) and a new book by esteemed screenwriter John August (Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Catch Me If You Can), Tony nominee Kate Baldwin (Giant, Finian's Rainbow) and Tony nominee Bobby Steggert (Giant, Ragtime) lead the cast of amazing characters.

Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed Columbia Pictures film directed by Tim Burton, BIG FISH centers on 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 find the truth behind his father's epic tales.

Overflowing with heart, humor and spectacular stagecraft, BIG FISH is an extraordinary new Broadway musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre--for an experience that's richer, funnier and BIGGER than life itself.

Get Big Fish Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

PREVIEW Big Fish - 2013 - Broadway

Big Fish Production Photo
Photos
Show Video Preview
Videos

FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Big Fish

'Big Fish' review: Ambitious musical, not exciting
5 / 10

..it's a pleasure to watch [Norbert Leo Butz] engage in the fantastical adventures of both the healthy and the dying Edward Bloom, irrepressible teller of tall stories and bad jokes in 'Big Fish.' In fact, there are many pleasures in this ambitious but disappointing adaptation of Daniel Wallace's Walter Mitty-esque novel and Tim Burton's 2003 movie about a father's inability to make a truthful connection with his serious son...So it's crushing to realize, early on, that this gentle, sincere, beautiful-looking show is deadly dull. Author John August, who also wrote the screenplay, strings sentimentality and hackneyed picaresque escapades together as if they were equivalent balls on a string. Tension never builds, even when Edward's son Will (Bobby Steggert) tries to unravel the father's secret life.

STAGE REVIEW Big Fish
8 / 10

With his stocky build, short stature, and thinning hair, Butz is an unlikely leading man, but he has the loose-limbed energy and charisma of a young Dick Van Dyke. The radiant Kate Baldwin is underused as his sympathetic wife, though she brings her silken voice to the beautiful second-act ballad, 'I Don't Need a Roof' - one of the highlights of the mostly tuneful score by Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family). Steggert is less compelling as their not-so-likable son, particularly in the problematic second act saddled with several superfluous fantasy numbers and an ending that packs less of an emotional wallop than it should...For the most part, though, Big Fish finds theatrically inventive ways to reel audiences into its central love story. In this case, it isn't boy-meets-girl but father-hooks-son. And Edward Bloom is quite a catch.

Photo Coverage: BIG FISH's Angie Schworer Receives Gypsy Robe!
by Walter McBride - October 8, 2013


The company of Big Fish just celebrated their opening with the Gypsy Robe ritual with the company's recipient Angie Schworer. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you full photo coverage below!

TV: BIG FISH's Norbert Leo Butz, Kate Baldwin, Bobby Steggert & More Celebrate Opening Night!
by Nicole Rosky - October 8, 2013


BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for teh special celebration and you can check out what the cast and creative team had to say about the new musical at the after party below!

In Performance: BIG FISH's Norbert Leo Butz Sings 'Fight the Dragons'
by Caryn Robbins - October 8, 2013


In today's New York Times 'In Performance' video, Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz, who portrays Edward Bloom in the new Broadway musical BIG FISH, sings the number 'Fight the Dragons,' in which he shares his love of telling stories with his young son. Jim Hershman accompanies on guitar. Check it out here!

Photo Coverage: BIG FISH Opening Night Arrivals- Part 2!
by Walter McBride - October 7, 2013


BIG FISH opened last night, October 6 on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre and BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the excitement and the magic of the evening.The production stars two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz as Edward Bloom, Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin as Sandra Bloom, and Tony Award nominee Bobby Steggert as Will Bloom. Below, we bring you photos from the star-studded theatre arrivals, PART 2! Click here to check out PART 1.

STAGE TUBE: Ole Miss' LARAMIE PROJECT Cast Thanks BIG FISH for Support
by Nicole Rosky - October 7, 2013


Just last week, the cast of Big Fish on Broadway shared a supportive message for the cast of the Ole Miss production of THE LARAMIE PROJECT, which made national news this week after a group of football players interrupted the show with homophobic slurs and 'borderline hate speech' on October 1st. Now the cast has responded to the support with a thank you to the cast of BIG FISH. Check it out below!

TV: On the BIG FISH Red Carpet with Whoopi Goldberg, Perez Hilton, Stephanie J. Block, Sebastian Arcelus & More!
by Nicole Rosky - October 7, 2013


BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was on the red carpet to chat with the stars as they arrived at the Neil Simon Theatre, and you can check out what Whoopi Goldberg, Perez Hilton, Zach Braff and more had to say below!

Photo Coverage: BIG FISH Opening Night Arrivals- Part 1!
by Walter McBride - October 7, 2013


BIG FISH opened last night, October 6 on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre and BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the excitement and the magic of the evening.The production stars two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz as Edward Bloom, Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin as Sandra Bloom, and Tony Award nominee Bobby Steggert as Will Bloom. Below, we bring you photos from the star-studded theatre arrivals below!

Photo Coverage: Party with the BIG FISH Cast and Creative Team on Opening Night
by Walter McBride - October 7, 2013


Check out photos below of the cast and creative team celebrating at the opening night party

Photo Coverage: BIG FISH's Magical and Emotional Opening Night Curtain Call
by Walter McBride - October 7, 2013


BIG FISH opened last night, October 6 on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre and BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the excitement and the magic of the evening. Check out photos below of the cast and creative team during the emotional opening night curtain call

Review - BIG FISH Makes Wholesome The New Hip
by Michael Dale - October 6, 2013


Susan Stroman and Norbert Leo Butz deliver their best Broadway work in Andrew Lippa and John August's celebration of an everyday man who fights the dragons.

TV Preview: BIG FISH Opens Tonight Starring Norbert Leo Butz, Kate Baldwin
by Robert Diamond - October 6, 2013


Directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), and a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Big Fish opens tonight, Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street).

STAGE TUBE: Broadway's BIG FISH Shows Support for THE LARAMIE PROJECT at Ole Miss
by Stage Tube - October 5, 2013


The cast of Big Fish on Broadway shared a supportive message for the cast of the Ole Miss production of THE LARAMIE PROJECT, which made national news this week after a group of football players interrupted the show with homophobic slurs and 'borderline hate speech' on October 1st. Watch the message below!

TV: Watch Video Highlights of Norbert Leo Butz, Kate Baldwin & More in BIG FISH
by Robert Diamond - September 27, 2013


BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at a montage of video footage below!

THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- BIG FISH's Alex Brightman
by BWW Staff - September 27, 2013


In this week's edition, we caught up with Alex Brightman, who is starring as 'Zacky Price' in BIG FIS- currently in previews at the Neil SimonTheatre.

Photo Flash: First Look at Norbert Leo Butz, Kate Baldwin & More in BIG FISH on Broadway!
by Nicole Rosky - September 16, 2013


Directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), and a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), BIG FISH began performances on Broadway, Thursday, September 5, 2013 and will open Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

BWW Interviews: Debut of the Month - BIG FISH's Ryan Andes
by Caryn Robbins - September 19, 2013


BIG FISH's Ryan Andes spoke exclusively to BWW about dancing on stilts, family traditions and why he counts himself 'one of the luckiest people' he knows.

Photos and Video: BIG FISH Begins Previews Tonight at Neil Simon Theatre!
by Nicole Rosky - September 5, 2013


Directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), and a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Big Fish begins performances tonight, September 5, 2013 and will open Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Below, check out photos and highlights from the show's pre-Broadway run in Chicago!

Twitter Watch: BIG FISH Plants a Daffodil for a Fan!
by BWW - August 12, 2013


On Twitter Watch, Big Fish wrote ' No one got me a fake @BigFishBroadway daffodil today. NOBODY LOVES ME (Which is the name of the show I'm seeing tonight, incidentally.) @mrtylermartins Enjoy the (awesome) show tonight! Take a peek in the planter near the theater entrance on your way out. #GiftsAreFun My suitors can no longer use flowers to woo me because a BROADWAY SHOW trumps all. Thanks, @BigFishBroadway! pic.twitter.com/9wN7021OFd Starring two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Catch Me If You Can) as Edward Bloom, Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin (Giant, Finian's Rainbow) as Sandra Bloom, Tony Award nominee Bobby Steggert (Giant, Ragtime) as Will Bloom, Krystal Joy Brown (Leap Of Faith) as Josephine Bloom, Anthony Pierini (Mary Poppins) and Zachary Unger (Chaplin) alternating as Young Will, and featuring Ryan Andes, Ben Crawford, J. C. Montgomery, Tony Award nominee Brad Oscar, Ciara Renee, Kirsten Scott and Sarrah Strimel, Big Fish has a cast of 27 that includes Preston Truman Boyd, Bree Branker, Alex Brightman, Joshua Buscher, Robin Campbell, Bryn Dowling, Jason Lee Garrett, Leah Hofmann, Synthia Link, Angie Schworer, Lara Seibert, Tally Sessions, Cary Tedder and Ashley Yeater. BIG FISH centers on 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 find the truth behind his father's epic tales. Big Fish is about dreaming, loving and living bigger.'

BIG FISH Celebrates Box Office Opening with Mr. Softee at Neil Simon Theatre!
by Nicole Rosky - August 8, 2013


Directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), and a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), BIG FISH begins performances on Thursday, September 5, 2013 and will open Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Neil Simon Theatre. The Neil Simon Theatre box office (250 West 52 Street) will open today, August 8, and Mr. Softee will be on hand to celebrate, handing out free ice cream outside the theatre from 1pm-4pm in honor of the special day.

TV: BIG FISH's Norbert Leo Butz, Kate Baldwin & Zachary Unger Fight Dragons at BROADWAY IN BRYANT PARK!
by Nicole Rosky - August 1, 2013


On Thursday afternoon, 106.7 Lite FM continued its annual lunchtime theatre summer series, '106.7 Lite FM's Broadway in Bryant Park.' The 2013 program presents the best of Broadway, FREE to the public, on six consecutive Thursdays on the Bryant Park Stage. Hosted by Lite FM's on-air personalities, the 13th annual presentation of open-air, On- and Off- Broadway lunch hour performances will run through August 15. Featured this week was the cast of BIG FISH (Norbert Leo Butz, Kate Baldwin and Zachary Unger). Check out highlights below!

Full Cast Announced for Norbert Leo Butz, Kate Baldwin & Bobby Steggert-Led BIG FISH on Broadway!
by Nicole Rosky - July 25, 2013


Directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), and a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), BIG FISH begins performances on Thursday, September 5, 2013 and will open Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Neil Simon Theatre.

Katie Thompson to Continue as 'The Witch' in BIG FISH on Broadway?
by BWW News Desk - July 20, 2013


According to an audition announcement on Backstage, Broadway's Big Fish is looking for a new actress to play 'The Witch'. The role, which is a featured part in the chorus/ensemble that requires a 'powerful voice', was played by Katie Thompson (The Public Theater's GIANT) to positive reviews in the production's pre-Broadway run in Chicago.

Up On The Marquee: BIG FISH
by Walter McBride - June 21, 2013


Tickets are now on sale for the new Broadway musical Big Fish at Ticketmaster.com (866-870-2717). Directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), and a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Big Fish begins performances on Thursday, September 5, 2013 and will open Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Tickets for Big Fish range from $49 - $142. The marquee just went up at the Neil Simon and you can check it out below!

Tickets Now Available for BIG FISH on Broadway!
by Nicole Rosky - June 17, 2013


Tickets are now on sale for the new Broadway musical BIG FISH at Ticketmaster.com (866-870-2717). Directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), and a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), BIG FISH begins performances on Thursday, September 5, 2013 and will open Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Tickets for BIG FISH range from $49 - $142.

Big Fish FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Big Fish have there been?
Big Fish has had 3 productions including Broadway which opened in 2013, London which opened in 2017 and West End which opened in 2017.
What awards has Big Fish been nominated for?
Big Fish has been nominated for several awards. It received nominations for Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for Andrew Lippa and Outstanding Orchestrations for Larry Hochman.

Videos