Every year, like a right of passage, the spring musical at Montgomery County High School comes around, reminding the public of just how much dramatic and musical talent roams the hallways every day.
This year’s production is “Big Fish, the Musical.”
Show times are 7:01 p.m. Thursday, 8:01 p.m. Friday, March 13, and 2:01 p.m. and 8:01 p.m. Saturday, March 14.
Chandre Sergent Hatton is directing the production that features a large cast led by Daniel McCarty, the lead character, Edward Bloom; Liam Bourne as Edward’s son, Will; and Molly Miles as Sandra Bloom, the mother.
Those involved with this year’s production say to expect something a little different, but with a small town appeal most people can relate to.
“Big Fish, the Musical” tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who is famous for telling incredible stories about his life. His tales are filled with larger-than-life adventures including encounters with a giant, a mysterious witch and a magical circus. To everyone around him, Edward seems like a man who has lived an extraordinary life, assistant director Dakota Burnette explains.
Edward’s son, Will Bloom, has always struggled with his father’s stories. As he grows older, Will becomes frustrated because he feels he does not know who his father really is. He believes the stories are exaggerated and wishes Edward would simply tell him the truth, Burnette said.
When Edward becomes seriously ill, Will begins looking into his father’s past and meets people who appeared in the stories he heard growing up. Through these encounters, he discovers that while the stories were often exaggerated, they were inspired by real people and real experiences. Will slowly realizes that Edward used storytelling as a way to express how he saw the world and the people he loved, Burnette said of the musical’s description.
By the end of the musical, Burnette explains that Will comes to understand his father better and accepts that the stories were an important part of who Edward was. The show ultimately explores the power of imagination, the complexity of family relationships and the idea that the stories we tell can shape how we are remembered.
Molly Miles, a senior, plays the role of Sandra Bloom.
Miles told the Advocate she has played the role of a mother in other musical productions and relished the chance to do so again.
“I love motherly figure roles,” Miles said. “The thing I really liked about this role is I have really impactful scenes. Obviously, I love everything about the role. She truly encapsulates southern belle.”
Liam Bourne, a junior, plays Will.
“I think it’s a role I’d like to play 20 years down the line,” Bourne said. “It’s a very emotionally challenging role.”
Bourne said he connected with the role because his father, Jimmy, is a former New York City cop who was there during 9/11. He said it reminds him to never let things go unsaid.
Daniel McCarty, a senior, takes on the lead role of Edward.
“I think Edward Bloom is a larger than life character,” McCarty said. “Growing up in a small town you always hear these stories from your parents and grandparents that just sound larger than life. ... He just wants his son to be impressed by him.”
McCarty said he believes the public will enjoy the production because “it strays from anything this town has ever seen before.”
“It’s got some strange music in it, some awesome scenes and tackles some pretty difficult subjects,” he said.
Both Bourne and Miles agreed, noting it’s relatable and makes the audience think.
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