Tony Winner Norbert Leo Butz Hooks Starring Role in Pre-Broadway Big Fish

Two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz will star in the upcoming musical adaptation of Big Fish. Directed and choreographed by five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman (The Scottsboro Boys, The Producers), the musical will have a pre-Broadway run at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre April 2, 2013 through May 5. A move to Broadway is likely to follow in the fall of 2013. No other casting has been announced at this time. Dexter star Michael C. Hall had been previously speculated to lead the musical. 

Based on the 1998 Daniel Wallace novel of the same name, Big Fish follows the troubled relationship between Edward Bloom (Butz) and his son, Will. On his deathbed, Edward recounts adventurous tall tales from his life as a traveling salesmen. A 2003 film adaptation directed by Tim Burton starred Billy Crudup, Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor and Jessica Lange. The musical will feature music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family) and a book by John August, who also wrote the movie adaptation's screenplay.

Butz earned Tony Awards for Catch Me If You Can and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and an additional nomination for Thou Shalt Not. His other Broadway credits include Enron, Speed-the-Plow, Is He Dead?, Wicked and Rent. His film and TV credits include Smash, Dan in Real Life, Fair Game, Higher Ground, The Deep End and West of Here. Butz will star on Broadway this fall opposite Katie Holmes in Dead Accounts.