Making waves with Big Fish: A musical that touches the heart

Get ready for a tidal wave of talent, inspiration, and unforgettable moments as our theatre students dive into the world of Big Fish! This heartwarming musical, directed by Shawn Ruth and Ted Bonman, explores themes of family, truth, and the beauty of life's big—and sometimes fishy—moments.

Since December, the cast and crew have been rehearsing, building, and refining their performances, all under the watchful eyes of some incredibly dedicated teachers and mentors. Music Director Bradley Gray and Choreographer Madi Hernandez have crafted stunning sound and dance to complement the incredible set, props, and costumes—all designed and executed by students themselves, with a little help from Mr. Bonman and Ms. Ruth, of course!

In the spotlight, Kevin Wilson and Iris Baxter take the lead as Edward Bloom and Sandra Bloom, bringing the magic of the story to life with performances that will leave you hooked. Kevin, reflecting on his favorite moment in the show, shared,

“My favorite moment is probably one of the final scenes in the hospital, near the end of the show, where the ensemble characters come back to visit Edward. We have strong choreography, strong vocals, and it’s a really moving scene.”

Iris added,

“It’s been a great opportunity, it pushed me outside my comfort zone. It was a chance to come into my own more as an actor, and push past a challenge of switching between acting as a younger and older version of my character.”

Her favorite moment, much like Kevin’s, comes near the end of the show when everyone in Edward’s life shows up at the river to meet him. She reflected, “It’s cool to be reminded that the people that you show up for in your life will show up for you.”

Behind the scenes, Mr. Bonman highlighted some of the unique elements that make Big Fish a truly magical experience. An audience favorite is the confetti drop from the front of the house during a pivotal moment in the show. “It makes that moment extra magical,” he said. The circus scene also stands out, thanks to the stagecraft class' hard work in draping the lights just right. And, as the finishing touches were put on the production, Mr. Bonman couldn’t help but praise Oaklie J., a student who did the majority of the lighting design.

“Oaklie submitted her design to the Patty Duke Awards last year and was recognized for her outstanding work. I have no doubt in her ability to design entire shows,”

he shared, confident in her abilities.

With the Patty Duke Awards quickly approaching, Mr. Bonman is humbly optimistic about the show’s chances. “We have a strong chance. It’s anybody’s game—there are a lot of really strong productions across the state.” If the show is selected, our talented cast will get to perform a piece from Big Fish in Boise's Morrison Center this May. Even more thrilling, the leads may have the opportunity to participate in an intensive workshop, and who knows? They could even be chosen to travel to New York City for an exclusive workshop with Broadway professionals! If you think this sounds like a fish story, think again. The last two years, Century has not only been selected to perform in Boise but also claimed one of the coveted spots for a lead to travel to New York.

As the final curtain falls, Ms. Ruth reflected on the power of the show’s message:

“It’s been lovely to see how audience members are personally touched by the story.”

And that, in the end, is what makes this production so special—creating moments that resonate with both the cast and the audience alike. Congratulations to the cast, crew, and production team of Diamondback Dramatics' production of Big Fish!