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    Otterbein’s Dazzling Big Fish

    Otterbein opens their 2018-19 season with a dazzling production of John August (book) and Andrew Lippa’s (music and lyrics) Big Fish, the 2013 Broadway adaptation of Daniel Wallace’s novel and Tim Burton’s film, directed by Thom Christopher Warren.

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    Matthew Gittins (as Edward Bloom), left to right, and Kyle Brace (Karl the Giant) in the Otterbein Theatre & Dance and Music production of “Big Fish.” Photo by Mark Mineart.

    As in the book and film, this Big Fish traces Edward Bloom’s (Matt Gittins) life through the often outlandish stories he tells. The downside of his traveling-salesman’s unrestrained life of adventure is all the nights his wife, Sandra (Noël Isaacson), and son, Will (Lincoln Belford as an adult, Tommy Druhan and Carson Kittaka as a child), sit at home without him. That situation sits better with Sandra, who knew what she was getting into, than his child. Along the way, he meets characters like a giant, Karl (Kyle Brace), a witch (Kat Lee), a mermaid (Olivia Crago), and a circus barker (Trey Plutnicki). And, like anyone with a lust for the world, Bloom leaves people behind, including his first love Jenny Hill (Payton Tevis).

    Warren’s big-stage production has magic to spare, and it never lets the phenomenal dancing (choreography from Stella Hiatt Kane) or pyrotechnics overwhelm its emotional truth. There are always people at the core of these tall tales with pain and joy radiating out from them. It’s also key that Warren understands the world of the play; Alabama gets to be a real place, not a soft-focus template for Bloom’s fantasies.

    This is clearest in the rapport between Gittins and Bloom’s childhood nemesis Don Price (Kevin Michael Buckley). Buckley knows exactly the level of a cartoon that character needs in his veins while still being the person who stayed, who tried to change and make things better, only to watch the hero (to the play and the audience) swoop in at every dramatic moment and be the hero instead. Warren and his cast stuff the production with that kind of moment: it knows when to twist the knife and when to be as light as air.

    Gittins’ sparkling tenor is the star of the show. He makes the most of Andrew Lippa’s catchiest score, digging his teeth into surging anthems like “Be The Hero.” Isaacson’s voice blends beautifully with Gittins on songs like “Time Stops” but strikes a potent blend of wistfulness and steely intensity on gorgeous ballads like “Magic in the Man” and “I Don’t Need a Roof,” and the kicky girl-group pastiche “Little Lamb from Alabama.” Belford’s Will does fascinating, tricky harmonic support work on songs like “Magic in the Man” but shines in his own right on tunes like “Stranger.”

    Theater in columbus
    Trey Plutnicki (as Amos Calloway the Circus Man), left to right, Matthew Gittins (Edward Bloom), Kyle Brace (Karl the Giant), Lincoln Belford (Will Bloom), Kathryn Lee (the Witch) in the Otterbein Theatre & Dance and Music production of “Big Fish.” Photo by Mark Mineart.

    Delicate music-direction from Lori Kay Harvey and the six-piece band gives Big Fish the homespun glow it needs. Their interpretation of the score is full of delightful touches, such as a subtle Johnny Cash train beat (courtesy of percussionist Tomasz Jarecki) under the glittery ballad chords on “Fight the Dragon.” The larger-group numbers, highlights include the swamp witch meeting, “I Know What You Want” (with a ferocious vocal from Kat Lee), circus-hell “Closer to Her” and old-town return “Start Over,” never feel muddied or strained. Special attention should be paid to Peyton Tevis for her one show-stopping number “Jenny Hill.”

    Big Fish is a reminder of the power of story-telling in all our lives. It’s an irresistible slice of fall wonder.

    Big Fish runs through September 29 with performances at 8:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. For tickets and more info, visit otterbein.edu.

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    Richard Sanford
    Richard Sanfordhttp://sanfordspeaks.blogspot.com/
    Richard Sanford is a freelance contributor to Columbus Underground covering the city's vibrant theatre scene. You can find him seeking inspiration at a variety of bars, concert halls, performance spaces, museums and galleries.
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