By Blogger Charles "Ebbie" Alfree, III
It’s hard not to
think of Tom Hanks playing Heart and Soul and Chopsticks at the
quintessential New York City toy store, FAO Schwartz (aka "MacMillan Toys" in the movie) when someone mentions the
film Big. Fortunately for the
audience at the Wilmington Drama League (WDL), they see the iconic scene from
Penny Marshall’s 1988 film live on stage in their holiday show, Big, the musical.
With a
boisterous score by David Shire, Big the
musical is exactly what it says it is…it’s BIG! Sharing the writing with
Richard Maltby, Jr. (lyrics) and John Weidman (book), the three men have
created a show that’s perfect for the whole family during
the holiday season.
Directed by
Kathy Buterbaugh, Big the musical
follows 12-year-old New Jersey boy, Josh (Connor Carp) who likes 13-year-old Cynthia (Rachel Ford). While waiting in line for a carnival ride — which he ends up being too small to ride — he learns Cynthia is
dating a boy old enough to drive.
Distraught, Josh visits the Zoltar Speaks machine and wishes to be "big." The
next morning, Josh wakes up a grown man (Daniel Urdaneto). Not
recognizing her now-grown son, Josh’s mother (Kansas Lynn Battern) kicks him out
of the house. With the help of his neighbor and best friend, Billy (William
Rotsch), Josh travels to New York City to find a Zoltar Speaks machine in an arcade,
but instead finds he must wait weeks for a listing of machine locations.
What else would
a 12-year-old boy do, but make his way to FAO Schwartz (MacMillan Toys), where he meets Mr.
MacMillan (Jack Jordan) who owns a faltering toy manufacturing company.
Impressed with Josh’s knowledge of toys, Mr. MacMillan offers him a vice
president position and an apartment. Josh now has a place to
live, an office with a view of the Statue of Liberty and a job that requires
him to play with toys all day…a perfect life for a young boy. But, Josh has to
contend with his yuppie colleagues Paul (Bill Swezey) and Susan (Sharon
Rueggsegger), who are in a tumultuous relationship and are unable to create a
successful holiday toy for the company.
Chaos ensues as
Susan begins to drift away from the smarmy Paul and develop feelings
for Josh. With Josh, Susan starts to reconnect with her inner-child and enjoy
life, instead of climbing the corporate ladder. When Josh
finally finds the Zoltar Speaks machine, he has to decide if he’ll stay in his
adult form and continue his relationship with Susan or return to his family and
friends.
Making that
choice is Mr. Urdaneto who is brilliant as a man-child. His mannerisms — even
the way he takes off his coat — are exactly what you would expect from a
12-year-old. He has a gorgeous voice that soars throughout the theater. Playing
opposite him is an equally brilliant performer, Mrs. Rueggsegger as Susan. Mrs.
Rueggsegger, who sings most of the show’s ballads, is amazing. She has a
gorgeous voice and I could’ve listened to her sing all night. Ms. Battern as
Josh’s mother and Mr. Rotsch as Billy give rousing performances. The four
actors lead a BIG enthusiastic cast that keeps the show in motion, especially
during the BIG splashy dance numbers choreographed by Brett Anderson.
Set Designer Pete Worth has created BIG sets that delight and actually become characters in the show!
From Josh’s bedroom to the carnival (where the Zoltar Speaks machine is) to
Josh’s whimsical office and apartment, the sets do not disappoint.
Big, the musical runs through December 28, at the
Wilmington Drama League. Visit Wilmingtondramaleague.org or call 302.764.1172 for additional information and
tickets.