"Big Fish" Musical to Make a Splash at CCM
Published on October 16, 2020
The musical Big Fish will run Thursday, October 22, through Saturday, October 24, on the stage at the County College of Morris (CCM).
Postponed from its original production date in March as COVID-19 hit New Jersey, CCM was determined the show go on. But attendance is limited to 65 seats per show.
Tickets are free and must be reserved.
Go to www3.ccm.edu/campuslife/Shows/EnterPassword.asp and enter the password: BigFish and follow the prompts. Masks must be worn at all times on the CCM campus, located at 214 Center Grove Road in Randolph. Audience members are to park in Lot 6.
(JPG, 74KB) Big Fish Actors Matt Delevan of Madison and Grace Logue of Vernon on stage. (Photo Credit: Professor Colleen McArdle)
The production is directed by Professor Marielaine Mammon, chair of the Music, Performing Arts and Music Technologies department at CCM. Choreography is by Professor Colleen McArdle and Music Direction by Professor Matthew Swiss.
We wanted to show our support to the community during this very difficult and stressful year and to give them a really special treat with this performance, said Mammon.
Big Fish, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by John August, had been scheduled to open in late March during the 2020 Spring Semester but was unable to open when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
As the college transitioned to an online format, the performers of Big Fish recorded themselves singing one of the showstopper songs from the production, Be the Hero, to inspire the community.
It can be viewed on CCM's YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/Ugt6QWDu9pU/.
When Governor Phil Murphy announced performing arts venues could open at 25 percent capacity, Mammon was determined to get the show back on the stage.
The students worked so hard on this production that we could not let this pandemic stop them from performing. They have done a spectacular job, Mammon said.
Big Fish centers on the charismatic Edward Bloom, whose impossible stories of his epic adventures frustrate his son, Will. As
(PNG, 13KB) Bloom's final chapter approaches, Will embarks on his own journey to find out who his father really is, revealing the man behind the myth, the truth from the tall tales.
The CCM cast includes residents from Morris, Sussex and Warren counties.
The Big Fish cast includes:
Matt Delavan as Edward Bloom; John Deluca as Amos Calloway; Daniel Gardner as Karl the Giant and ensemble; Alyssa Hopkins as the Giant's Wife and ensemble; Joshua Lemma as the Fisherman and ensemble; Jaclyn Lenox as the Farm Girl and ensemble; Grace Logue as Sandra Bloom; Nicholas Meurer as Will; Ryan Griffin as Don Price and ensemble; Grady Hall as Little Will and ensemble; Margaret Schaffer as Jenny and ensemble; Hallie Schiavo as the Mermaid and ensemble; Matthew Steen as Dr. Bennett and ensemble; Heather Stevenson as the Witch and ensemble; Jason Thompson as Karl the Giant and ensemble, and Zachary Weiner as Zacky Price and ensemble.
Rounding out the ensemble are Kessler Bicho, Brianna Davies, Christine Del Vecchio, Melissa Hamfeldt, Madison Jones, Emily Larsen, Laura Perez, Lydia Rivera, Francesca Salluce, Emily Steele, Giana Valero, Pamela Welsch, Jacob Wood, and Eric Tayler.
The production team also includes Brian Kafel, Lighting Designer; Anthony Foti, Projection Designer; and Kalil Alekel, Audio Designer.
For this specific production, the entire cast will be wearing masks and the length of show has been shortened to provide additional caution during the pandemic.
To learn more about the Music, Performing Arts and Music Technology department at CCM, visit www.ccm.edu/academics/divdep/liberal-arts/department-of-music-performing-arts-music-technologies/.
Credit: Professor Colleen McArdle