ECC's 'Big Fish' a fitting farewell for retiring musical director
When John Slawson, professor of music at Elgin Community College, was facing retirement after 30 years at his job, he wanted to produce a musical that would resonate with his life transition. He chose “Big Fish,” a musical about a man recalling the passages of his life on his deathbed, as his son comes to terms with his father's fantastical narrative of his history.
“It will be my last official thing I'll be doing at ECC,” said Slawson, the artistic and musical director of the production. “It's such a wonderful story and it engulfs everything in life that goes on, with disappointment and heartache and love and excitement. I thought, why not use this one as my last one.”
Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 film directed by Tim Burton, “Big Fish” centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest and loves telling others about his adventures.
“There is realism, but it's counteracted with the magic of the story,” said choreographer and director Konnie Kay of St. Charles. “It's such a wonderful, inventive way to show how your imagination can derive something that's more important than telling a funny story. The son realizes why his dad told magical stories and we make the magic happen and then we come back to the realism.”
“I love the story,” said Brett Baleskie, who plays Edward Bloom. “I love the relationships in the story. I think the characters are really definitive.”
His character exemplifies that trait, according to Baleskie.
“He has a unique outlook,” he said. “His outlook on life is, essentially, even if it's not the most impressive life, to never let anyone see that. Getting the best out of what you put into it, even if it's not the most exciting thing, that there are lessons to be learned in everything. By telling the story that he does, he's providing lessons, by taking his ordinary life and making it extraordinary.”
The show is both comical and emotional and is meant to touch the audience. As a result, the actors must portray a variety of emotions with clarity.
“There are a lot of levels in this show,” Kay said. “It's not just fun. There's a very touching story and there's struggles between the son and the father so (the portrayed emotion) has to be there and it has to be real.”
For Slawson, the musical score is the standout; when it came time for auditions, he was looking for people who could do it justice.
“We were looking for people who could really show their character and sell their songs in a very heartfelt way,” he said. “More so than in a lot of other musicals. In other musicals, people have ballads. This show, because of the story that's being told, it's got a very heartfelt ending.”
Members of the cast hail from Algonquin, Aurora, Elgin, Geneva, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Palatine, Park Ridge, Maywood, Naperville and St. Charles.
Although Slawson, who lives in Elgin, is planning to start a production company with Kay called Encore Theatre Productions housed at Kimball Street Theater after his retirement, the show may cut a little close to the bone.
“What these characters are singing and talking about, it makes you reflect on your own life,” said Slawson, who was widowed two years ago. “I'm reflecting back on a career, I'm reflecting back on a 42-year marriage that's now ended; lots of emotions. I'm glad I'm conducting a show because I don't know if I could just sit there and watch it.”
The show opens Friday, July 29, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 7 at ECC's SecondSpace Theatre at ECC Arts Center, Building H, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Tickets are $20 ($18 for seniors and students). Visit tickets.elgin.edu/ or call (847) 622-0300.
ECC Musical Theatre production of “Big Fish”
<b>When:</b> 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, July 29 through Aug. 7
<b>Where:</b> Elgin Community College, SecondSpace Theatre at ECC Arts Center, Building H, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin
<b>Cost:</b> $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students
<b>Tickets:</b> Visit <a href="http://tickets.elgin.edu">tickets.elgin.edu</a> or call (847) 622-0300.