Big: The Musical opens in Mendham
The stage musical “Big,” like the 1988 movie on which it is based, is about a young boy whose dream of becoming an adult magically comes true.
Patrick Francis Mahn hopes the show will have the opposite effect, by magically reminding audiences of what it means to be a child again.
“I want people to remember the magic,” notes Mahn. “The magic of falling in love for the first time, the magic of playing with childhood friends, the magic of childhood fantasy, dreams, and wishes - the magic of life itself.”
“You’re never too old to have fun,” he adds. “This is a show about the kid in us all.”
Mahn is directing and choreographing “Big” for Hexagon Players of Mendham. The musical will be presented today through Nov. 21 at Grace Lutheran Church in Mendham.
The plot of the show generally follows the movie: Josh, a 12-year-old boy from New Jersey, wishes that he were older. Overnight that wish is granted; however, the adult world proves to be more of a challenge than he thought it would be.
Mahn realizes that adapting a popular movie to the stage carries some challenges of its own. He credits the musical’s creative team – book writer John Weidman, lyricist Richard Maltby Jr., and composer David Sire – with fleshing out the film’s story.
“They didn’t try to replicate (the movie) exactly,” Mahn says. “They have different characters and new scenes. They gave characters different motivations. The show sticks to the movie, but it brings something new.”
The songs also hold up well, according to Mahn, who is working closely with musical director Darlene Yanetta. “The style of the songs covers everything from pop-rock to hip-hop to classic Broadway,” he says. “It’s a nice mix.”
Inevitably, any actor who plays the adult Josh will probably be compared to Tom Hanks, who memorably played the role in the movie. But Mahn feels that he has fortunate in casting Richard Boyer of Budd Lake in the part.
Boyer, Mahn says, “has a Tom Hanks-esque quality without trying to do an imitation. He brings an innocence that the part requires.”
Mahn also praises Gina Clavelli-Goncalves of Bridgewater, who plays Susan, the female lead. “Gina has been working so hard to make Susan a rounded character,” he says. “She’s bringing out the inner child in Susan.”
In addition, Mahn says he pleased with the two young actors with featured roles: Sean Cahill of Netcong, who plays young Josh, and Ryan Domalewski of Randolph as Josh’s best friend, Billy. “It’s exciting to see the energy they bring,” Mahn says.
That energy is appropriate for a show like “Big,” Mahn says. “I knew I wanted the show I directed to be one that would appeal to all ages. I also knew I didn't want to be stuck doing the obvious ‘family-friendly’ show like ‘Annie’ or ‘Oliver.’ ”
Mahn feels a personal connection to this story. He saw the original Broadway production of “Big” in 1996. It was only the second time he had seen a Broadway show, and he was captivated by it.
He also believes in the message of “Big.” “We live in a world in which there seems to be this sense that we need to grow up as fast as possible,” he notes. “The innocent, uninhibited joys and fun of childhood seems to be a thing of the past.”
“In the technology driven world we live in, kids are almost immediately sucker-punched by the adult world that surrounds them,” he continues. “Josh comes to the realization that he’s not in a hurry to grow up.”
“It’s my hope that audiences leave the theater feeling a bit younger and happier,” Mahn concludes. “I also hope they remember that there’s a time and place for everything, but there is never a time and place to stop having fun.”
BIG: THE MUSICAL
WHEN: Through Nov. 21
WHERE: Grace Lutheran Church,
65 E. Main St., Mendham
TICKETS: $20
INFO: 908-514-8499 or www.hexagonplayers.org