Welcome to Big Fish!
We’re so excited that you have joined us for yet another performance here at the beautiful Winnipesaukee Playhouse. This is our theatrical home-away-from-home at LCA, and it feels incredible to be back!
So Big Fish. Why Big Fish? I got that question a lot, from kids and adults. When we first licensed Big Fish back in 2019, we were coming right off of the performing high of Newsies. In discussion with the class of 2020, we decided we wanted another big show with plenty of parts for everyone. Check. We wanted different musical styles featured throughout the show. Check. We also wanted a whimsical fairy tale setting. Check. We wanted an acting challenge for our seniors. Double check. Big Fish fits the bill in every way, and while it’s still lesser known in the wider community (there’s a book, a movie, and it went to Broadway in 2013), I knew in my heart that kids and audiences would fall in love with the story. The kids were hesitant at first (strangely, they always are no matter what we pick), but I think it’s definitely climbing the ranks of favorite musicals for our students. But then again every musical we do is our favorite, so it’s hard to know. ;-)
Big Fish is entertaining, but it also makes us think deeply about our lives. Our mortality. Our relationships. How we see our lives. One of the things I love most about this show is that it helps us to be present. It encourages us to see the lovely moments of our lives right now and to be thankful for them. Edward finds out how he will die as a child (or does he?) and it frees him up to be heroic for the rest of his life! At least, that’s the story he’s telling. As Christians, we know how it ends for us too. “It all ends well,” and because of this we can live bravely, take chances, and “Be a Hero” (Jesus is THE hero, so we can gladly throw off the pressure of that mantle) in our lives as well. We can also rest secure in the “smallness” of our lives, not feeling pressured to exaggerate to impress or entertain people quite as much as Edward did. He is a fictional character, and there’s no hint of his religious views in the play, but “How it Ends,” to me, is a song of repentance, reconciliation, faith, hope, and love. When we accept the love of Jesus, we can be sure it “all ends well” too. “This much I know.”
To our seniors:
I have humorously called you my “angel class” (I actually think you called yourselves that first) since 9th grade. But it’s just true. You are such a joy to be around, and you bless me continually with your humor, your intelligence, your work ethic, and your love for God. Thank you for being a part of Big Fish, and thank you for being a part of my life. Abby and Rafael, I’ve known you since you were in the 3rd grade! Abby was in my first LCA musical Godspell that year, and Rafael was vying to get on stage even back then! Grace, Sarah, and Caleb joined the ranks in middle school, and Violet joined us as a transfer student her sophomore year. But you all have grown into an incredible unit-- a true team in every sense of the word. It has been my joy to be your teacher and your director. It’s incredible to have not only 100% participation from a senior class, but also 110% buy in. It took some convincing at first, but from drilling harmonies endlessly, to dancing in the hallways during mid-day, to encouraging the underclassmen, you’ve done it all. You have worked so hard, brought me to happy tears regularly, and made me laugh more times than I can count. Thank you for the priceless memories. I love you, my “angels!”
Mrs. Bleiler
