Cain Park’s ‘Big Fish’ is no great catch

Take a hum-drum movie that was well received at its release but not exactly a block-buster, add 16 original songs that while trying to advance the story line fail to be remembered past the exit of the theater, hire a proficient cast of local actors who in spite of their best efforts cannot raise the story above mediocrity, stage in the heat of summer in the Cain Park “Easy Bake Oven” Alma Theater where no air whatsoever is allowed to properly circulate and nearly half of the audience left at the intermission (industrial size fans are readily available for rent or purchase and could greatly aid in the audience’s comfort)...add this all together and you get the recent Cain Park experience of “Big Fish”.

This is by no means to take away from the effort of the cast. They did the best they could with was was supplied to them in the form of script and songs. It simply is not that great of a show. It never has been and probably never will be.

Edward Bloom (Connor Stout) is a teller of tales, mostly to his wife, Sandra (Kate Fahey) and son Will (Ryan Sweeney). Edward is also a traveling salesman who spends much more time on the road than at home and when at home regales his son with fantastical tales of giants, witches, circuses, werewolves, mermaids and etc.

It is the day before Will’s nuptials and he has forced a promise out of his dad of no stories or jokes whatsoever during his wedding day. They flash back to when Will was a child and Edward told the story of teaching a man to properly fish by dancing an elaborate dance. After Sandra comes in to get Will ready for bed, Edward tells another story about a witch (Nicole Sumlin) he met in a swamp who revealed how he was going to die.

Back to the present, Edward has guessed that Will’s finance, Josephine (Cassandra Miller), is pregnant and reveals the information at the wedding reception, upsetting Will. At the reception, Edward winces in pain that is noticed by his doctor, who insists on an appointment. It is revealed that the cancer Edward has been battling has spread. Will and Josephine find out that they will be having a baby boy.

Flashback to Ashton, Alabama (Edward’s original home town) where he was the boyfriend of the head cheerleader, Jenny Hill (Natalie Green) and that he ended up saving the town as well as meeting a giant, Karl (Daniel Blum) who lives in a cave. Edward and Karl join the circus that is run by a werewolf, Amos Calloway (Phillip Carroll). Edward meets Sandra who is trying out a singing act for the circus but instead goes back to college. Edward convinces Amos to hire Karl and that he will work for free if given one clue a month about Sandra. After three years Edward discovers Amos’ werewolf secret and is told that Sandra’s last name is Templeton, she goes to Auburn University and she loves daffodils. She is also engaged to Don Price who picks a fight with Edward when he arrives. Sandra breaks off her engagement with Don and starts dating Edward.

Back in the present, Josephine finds a deed to a house in Ashton signed by Edward and Jenny Hill (the head cheerleader from before). Will goes to visit her and finds out about how his father saved the town.

This is an excellent cast with great singing voices. Unfortunately, they are dealing with a convoluted story line that flits back and forth between the past and present making it hard to follow. The stage set is interesting but a bit gloomy and the lighting design reflects this. Sound was adequate. One bright point in the show was the performance of the “fish stomp dance” that had rubber fish raining on the stage.

This is a show that seems to aimlessly flows along with little connection to reality. While a cute story of father and son trying to reconcile there is little meat on this bone. Add to this the uncomfortable conditions inside the theater and the extended length of the show it makes for a long sit. Those who love the movie (I am sure there must be a few of you out there) this might be a rare treat. To those people, I urge buy a ticket.

The Cain Park production of Big Fish will be on stage in the Alma Theatre through June 30, 2024. For more information and to order tickets go to https://cainpark.com/ or call (216) 371-3000.