Big Fish: complete cast announced

The complete cast has been finalised for the Broadway premiere of Big Fish, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, opening at the Neil Simon Theatre on 6 Oct 2013, following previews from 5 Sep 2013, and booking through to 09 Mar 2014.

Ciara Renee has joined the cast in the role of 'The Witch,' and Anthony Pierini will alternate the role of 'Young Will' with the previously announced Zachary Unger.

Renee, who is making her Broadway debut, replaces the previously announced Katie Thompson. Thompson, who originally played 'The Witch' in the musical's Chicago premiere, is no longer attached to the production.

Pierini made his Broadway debut playing 'Michael Banks,' in the musical 'Mary Poppins.'

Renee and Pierini join the previously announced two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz ('Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,' 'Catch Me If You Can') as 'Edward Bloom,' Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin ('Finian's Rainbow') as 'Sandra Bloom,' Tony Award nominee Bobby Steggert ('Ragtime') as 'Will Bloom' and Krystal Joy Brown ('Leap Of Faith') as 'Josephine Bloom.'

The cast will also feature Ryan Andes (Karl the Giant), Ben Crawford (Don Price), J. C. Montgomery (Dr. Bennett), Brad Oscar (Amos Calloway), Alex Brightman (Zacky Price), Kirsten Scott (Jenny Hill), Sarrah Strimel (Girl in the Water).

Big Fish's cast of 27 also includesPreston Truman Boyd, Bree Branker, Joshua Buscher, Robin Campbell, Bryn Dowling, Jason Lee Garrett, Leah Hoffman, Synthia Link, Angie Schworer, Lara Seibert, Tally Sessions, Cary Tedder and Ashley Yeater.

The musical, directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman ('The Scottsboro Boys,' 'The Producers,' 'Contact,' 'Show Boat,' 'Crazy For You'), features music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa ('The Addams Family'), a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August ("Frankenweenie," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory").

Set in the American South, Big Fish centers on the charismatic Edward Bloom, whose impossible stories of his epic adventures frustrate his son Will. As Edward's final chapter approaches, Will embarks on his own journey to find out who his father really is, revealing the man behind the myth, the truth from the tall tales.

The show's creative team includes sets by Julian Crouch, costumes by William Ivey Long, lighting by Donald Holder, with sound by Jon Weston.

Big Fish is produced by Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen and Stage Entertainment with Roy Furman, The Nederlander Organization, John Domo and Broadway Across America.

The musical played a pre-Broadway world premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre for a 5-week engagement from 02 Apr - 05 May 2013.

"Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions" by Daniel Wallace was first printed in 1998. In December 2003, a film of Big Fish was released by Columbia Pictures directed by Tim Burton, starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange and Helena Bonham Carter. The film was nominated for an Academy Award, Grammy Award, 4 Golden Globe Awards and 7 BAFTA Awards.