Big Fish: Celebrating the Joys of Life & Relationships

Big Fish is an ideal production for Millbrook thespians, as its story celebrates deep connections and the pursuit of BIG opportunities, themes that define the Millbrook experience.

 

The show runs February 25-28 over four evening performances. Senior actors Blake Frost ’26 and Andrew Stambaugh ’26 are phenomenal in the demanding role of the elder Edward Bloom, splitting their time on stage across the performances. Both have been devoted to the theater during their Millbrook years and bring that experience and growth to this production. While Andrew kicked off opening night on Wednesday, Blake will bring down the curtain at Saturday’s performance. They are two of the 22 cast members and 15 crew members who have been hard at work since November, and their work is paying off.

 

The story takes place in Alabama, and the set is beautifully designed and versatile. A backdrop of water that appears to reflect on the stage symbolizes Edward Bloom’s abundant life, expansive world, and boundless adventures; he would rather not be a “big fish in a small pond” and always needs to be moving forward. The set itself is fluid, mirroring Edward’s movement between adventures as the story shifts seamlessly between past and present. The crew is actively on stage, rearranging the set in between scenes – no blackouts to hide their movements.

 

This is truly an ensemble cast with moments for many to shine. Emily Brien ’27’s voice rings brightly and fills the theater as she sings alongside Andrew and Blake in her role as Edward’s wife, Sandra, the love of his life. Sowol Park ’29 delivers an enticing performance as the witch who showed Edward his future, a “captivating life,” and how he would eventually die, and Olivia Biller ’27 as Jenny Hill shares touching moments with Edward, baring her heart to him and dealing with the disappointment that follows. Darvin Gjoni '29 plays a convincing younger Will Bloom, son to Edward and Sandra.

 

Charlotte Withers-Clarke ’27 is a sweet, empathetic Josephine Bloom, married to the grown Will Bloom, played by Ollie Fauver '28. Will is serious, reflective, and "deep," while at the other end of the spectrum, Nico Morales is a loud, brash Don Price, who plays it safe and always seems to be bested by Edward. Ella Main ’26 is Don’s hilarious sidekick, Charlotte Lee ’28 plays a serious and astute Dr. Bennett, and Sophie Zhou ’26 is a graceful and mesmerizing Girl in the Water, who brings hope to Edward’s future.

Josiah Guiles ’26 slays as the giant Karl, who doesn’t fit in anywhere until he meets Edward, and Angus Watt ’28 is a quirky yet cool werewolf moonlighting as a circus ringmaster, another character trapped by his personal foibles. A terrific ensemble—Linna Du ’26, Nya Johnson ’26, Alex Philipp ’29, Sacha Reed ’29, Elena Shan ’26, Andrea Taitt ’27, Danielle Woodin ’26, and Tommy Zhang ‘29—sings and dances their way into the audience’s heart in scene after scene.

 

In addition to the cast, this production of Big Fish came alive through the dedication of the show’s director Elaine Lifter, assistant directors Marvelous Aderibigbe ’26 and Ellie Myers ’26, choreographers Zoe Thomas and Angelina Edwards ’26, stage manager Anna Alphonso ’27, set designer David Palmieri, lighting designer Zack Jacobs, and sound designers Nick Olmoz and Kevin Romero ’28. Other crew members worked tirelessly on the set, costumes, and props leading up to opening night: Ella Biondolillo ’29, Jay Gordon ’27, Matthew Shay '26, Arwen Tang ’28, Sherry Tang ’29, Eleanor Hampton ’28, Minna Guttormsson ’29, and Petra Schwartz ’28.

 

Assistant directors Aderibigbe and Myers shared this, in part, about the show:

“We appreciate the wonderful moments: the hilarious rehearsals (especially with our Edwards and their hospital bed, they’re both genuinely funny individuals), the beautiful set and costumes, and the ensemble’s dedication to “yes, and” through it all! Maybe the real Big Fish was the friends we made along the way.”

In the end, Big Fish reflects what makes Millbrook theater special: storytelling rooted in imagination, friendship, and shared experience.