Big Fish: new musical coming to Broadway in Sep 2013

Big Fish, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will open at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre on 6 Oct 2013, following previews from 5 Sep 2013.

The musical will be directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman ('The Scottsboro Boys,' 'The Producers,' 'Contact,' 'Show Boat,' 'Crazy For You'), with 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 musical will star 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,' Krystal Joy Brown ('Leap Of Faith') as 'Josephine Bloom' and Zachary Unger ('Chaplin') as 'Young Will.'

The cast will also feature Ryan Andes, Ben Crawford, J. C. Montgomery, Brad Oscar, Kirsten Scott, Sarrah Strimel and Katie Thompson.

Big Fish's cast of 27 also includes Preston Truman Boyd, Alex Brightman, 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 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 will have its pre-Broadway world premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre in a limited 5-week engagement beginning performances 2 Apr 2013, opening 19 Apr 2013, and playing through to 5 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.