Will 'Big Fish' make a splash in Chicago?

The pre-Broadway world premieres keep coming to Chicago's Oriental Theatre.

Broadway in Chicago announced Thursday that a new musical “Big Fish” (based on Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film of the same name) will hit the Windy City from April 2 to May 5, 2013. The news comes less than a month before previews begin at the Oriental Theatre for another pre-Broadway world premiere, the new musical “Kinky Boots.”

Many members of the “Big Fish” creative team have previous big-name Chicago-area credits.

Five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (who staged the smash Chicago pre-Broadway tryout of “The Producers” in 2000) is set to direct and choreograph the fantasy-filled musical set in the American South. Two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz (who starred in the world premiere of “The Last Five Years” at Skokie's Northlight Theatre in 2001) will star as Edward Bloom, the tall tale-talking father who frustrates his son with his past epic adventures.

“Big Fish” features music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa (who also scored “The Addams Family,” which played the Oriental Theatre during its pre-Broadway tryout in 2009) and a book by John August, known for his screenplays to the Tim Burton films “Big Fish,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and the forthcoming “Frankenweenie.” Academy Award winners Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen (“American Beauty”) are the musical's main producers.

Tickets to “Big Fish” are currently only available to groups of 15 or more by calling (312) 977-1710. “Big Fish” will be a part of Broadway in Chicago's 2013 spring season with subscriptions going on sale later this month. Individual tickets to “Big Fish” will be available at a later date. Visit broadwayinchicago.com for more information.