David Elder and George Schroeder. Photo by KO Rinearson.
Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma will produce BIG FISH, a new Broadway musical with a larger than life story, this summer at the Civic Center Music Hall. Based on the Daniel Wallace novel that inspired the Tim Burton film of the same name, BIG FISH runs July 21 through 25. The show will star Broadway’s David Elder and Tony Award nominee Emily Skinner as Edward and Sandra Bloom, respectively.
BIG FISH follows Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman from Alabama who has lived an extraordinary life. Bloom delights his family and friends with his larger than life stories, but his tales have caused a rift between him and his son, Will. Audiences will be delighted as the elder Bloom’s tales come to life on stage, and charmed by the story of reconciliation between father and son.
David Elder (pictured) will play Edward Bloom. Elder, who performed in Lyric’s 2012 production of BYE BYE BIRDIE as Albert Peterson, has been seen on Broadway in CURTAINS (Bobby Pepper), 42ND STREET (Billy Lawlor), and KISS ME, KATE (Bill Calhoun). Emily Skinner, a Tony Award nominee for her role in SIDE SHOW, will play Edward’s wife, Sandra. Skinner was seen in Lyric’s 2014 productions of DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID (Ursula) and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Charlotte Malcolm). Other Broadway credits include JEKYLL & HYDE, THE FULL MONTY, JAMES JOYCE’S THE DEAD, DINNER AT EIGHT, and BILLY ELLIOT.
Other members of the cast include Eleasha Gamble as the Witch, Greg White as Karl, and Russell McCook as Will Bloom. Gamble appeared in Lyric’s 2011 production of OLIVER! (Nancy), and on the national tour of Disney’s THE LION KING. White is the Director of Musical Theatre and producer of Broadway Tonight! at the University of Central Oklahoma, and has travelled the country as a performer on multiple national tours. McCook was recently seen in Lyric’s production of LES MISERABLES (Marius) and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Henrik).
Designs for this new production are by Adam Koch, whose scenic work at Lyric includes TARZAN, SWEET CHARITY, and BIG RIVER, and Lyric’s resident costume designer Jeffrey Meek, whose credits include LES MISERABLES, OKLAHOMA!, and OLIVER!. Lyn Cramer, a Weitzenhoffer Endowed Professor at the University of Oklahoma, is choreographing the production. David Andrews Rogers, who has worked with Lyric for over the past 20 years, will music direct. The creative team also includes lighting design by Helena Kuukka, sound design by Eileen Smitheimer, properties design by Courtney Strong, and stage management by Julie Meyer.
