Campus Connection

 Lively Musical Casts A Spell with Charm, Imagination and Hope

  The UWL Department of Theatre Arts will present the musical, "Big Fish."   Adapted from the much-loved book and Tim Burton movie, "Big Fish" is set to a score by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party), with the book by John August (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).  With rousing, foot stomping chorus numbers and heartwarming ballads, "Big Fish" will leave audiences wanting to hold their friends and family just a little bit tighter and dream a bit brighter.   Meet Edward Bloom, an ordinary man and an extraordinary father with a fierce imagination and zest for life.  Edward tells his son, Will, tall tales filled with beauty, love and imagination. As Will grows older, he begins to doubt his father’s exaggerated life stories of meeting witches, kissing mermaids or joining the circus. More importantly, Will questions his father’s character. When Will confronts his father about what is truth and what is fiction, they go on a life-affirming journey that will change them forever.   "Big Fish" runs Feb. 23-24 and March 1-3 at 7:30 p.m. and with Sunday matinee performances on Feb. 25 and March 4 at 2. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.uwlax.edu/theatre-arts. In person and phone ticket sales begin at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19. Box office hours are 1-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and one hour before show times. Tickets are: $6 for UW-L students; $18 for senior citizens and non-UWL students and $20 for others. For tickets, call 608.785.8522.   IF YOU GO: WHO:  UWL Department of Theatre Arts WHAT: Big Fish with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by John August WHEN: Feb. 23-24 & March 1-3 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 25 & March 4 at 2 p.m. WHERE:  Toland Theatre, Center for the Arts, 333 N. 16th St. COST: $6 for UW-L students; $18 for senior citizens and non-UWL students and $20 for others. For tickets, call 608.785.8522.   CAST:  Carly Boles, Gabe Burdette, Sarah Coppenbarger, Alexis Cimoch, John Divney, Tess Douty, Violet Englebert, Isaac Eugster, Shane Flaningam, Cullen Gaffy, Morgan Gates, Megan Gunderson, Emma Henry,  Sarah Lambert, Grant Latus,  Evan Medd, Jenna Moilanen, Caitlyn Nettesheim, Chip O’Brien, Oliver Olson, Willie Pearson, Katie Piper, Megan Roddy, Gabe Ross, Owen Scott, Reed Schwender, Delaney Scudella, Maddie Stoffel, Leah Williams CREW:  Mary Leonard (Director), Kathryn Moran (Musical Director), Laurie Kincman (Stage Manager), Hideaki Tsutsui (Special Guest Lighting Designer), Megan Morey (Scenic Designer), Joe Anderson and Michelle Collyar (Costume Designers)