Tall tales told at Carmel High School with ‘Big Fish’

By HERNAN GUTIERREZ
WISH-TV | wishtv.com

To celebrate the production of Big Fish opening this week, the Carmel Theatre Department shared a behind-the-scenes look at the Broadway-inspired musical.

The musical is based on a novel by Daniel Wallace which inspired a film directed by Tim Burton, starring Ewan McGregor and Alison Lohman.

Big Fish follows the larger than life stories of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman – according to the show’s description.

Carmel’s Isaiah Henderson takes on the lead role. He says the show is funny, but dives into some deep moments.

“[It’s about] reckoning with the legacy [Edward] is leaving behind and his relationship with his son,” Henderson said. “It’s about telling stories that are bigger than yourself and sort of taking a lease on life. It’s about the legacy that you leave behind for the ones you love.”

The school’s production is using the same set used by the original Broadway production of the musical in 2013. Props include the titular big fish, elephants’ butts, statues, and a giant wall of daffodils.

Opposite of Henderson is Harper Broan, who plays Edward’s wife Sandra Bloom. She’s excited to dive into Sandra’s character.

“[Sandra] cares very deeply for all the people in her life, especially her husband and her son,” Broan said. “It’s really cool to see her develop throughout the show because you get to see her when she’s younger. I personally really enjoy seeing her go from a spunky, more free-spirited person to a very mature, very wise character.”

Big Fish opens at the Dale E. Graham Auditorium at Carmel High School Thursday night.

This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/entertainment-news/carmel-theatre-big-fish-musical.