Big Fish Show Poster

Big Fish Critics’ Reviews

Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest… and then some! Edward's incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him—most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. Overflowing with heart, humor and spectacular stagecraft, Big Fish is an extraordinary new Broadway musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre—for an experience that's richer, funnier and bigger than life itself.

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About Big Fish

What Is the Story of Big Fish?
Big Fish tells the larger-than-life tale of Edward Bloom, a man who leads an extraordinary life—according to the stories he tells his son, Will. But Will, who is getting married and expecting a child of his own, doesn’t think there’s any truth to the extravagant tales his father tells about meeting witches, kissing mermaids or joining the circus. He doesn’t even believe the story of how his father proposed to his mother, Sandra, in a field full of daffodils. When Edward’s health begins to decline, Will visits his father and tries one last time to find out the truth behind the tall tales. As Edward and Will’s relationship becomes increasingly strained, Will must decide whether to accept his father’s wild stories as fact or risk losing him completely.

Reviews

critics reviews Critics’ Reviews (3)
A collection of our favorite reviews from professional news sources.
The New York Times

"In addition to sets by [Julian] Crouch, the wizard behind the look of the great Grand Guignol 'Shockheaded Peter,' the show has top-of-the-line lighting by Donald Holder, costumes by the tireless William Ivey Long and fluid projections by Benjamin Pearcy for 59 Productions."

The New York Times

Ben Brantley

Variety

"William Ivey Long captures the playful vibe with ingenious costumes that move in unexpected ways (like the fishtail of a mermaid’s silvery costume) and contribute their own magic to the storytelling (like the witches that materialize from the trees in a forest)."

Variety

Marilyn Stasio

New York Daily News

"[Norbert Leo Butz] is at his lovable and elastic-legged best as Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lived to tell tall tales."

New York Daily News

Joe Dziemianowicz

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