'Big Fish' Journey Of Discovery On South Lakes HS Stage: Cappies

By Ella Tysse
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Cappies Review

RESTON, VA — Welcome to the fantastical land of South Lakes High School's "Big Fish School Edition," where fortune-telling witches roam the woods, giants reside in the caves of hidden peaks, and werewolves pose as circus ringleaders. Here you'll find the adventure, passion, and heroic exploits you've always craved-but finding what lies beneath the magic is perhaps a more daunting task.

Penned by Andrew Lippa and John August, "Big Fish" is based on Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel of the same name. Center stage is Edward Bloom, a man suffering from cancer as he struggles to repair his relationship with his son. Meanwhile, in a second timeline, the epic, fictitious adventures of Edward's past play out. Will son and father reconcile their differences before it's too late?

August Rivers stole the spotlight, portraying Edward Bloom with courageous and heroic passion. His off-kilter walk, swinging arms, and stooped stature separated Edward as an old man from the sharp movements and straight posture of his youth, and the confident gait and eager grin that Rivers always brought to stage made Edward's loss of control as his disease progressed all the more heart-wrenching to witness; for instance, his hesitation when he realized he would never meet his grandson, or his hacking cough and abrupt collapse after a fight with Will. For his part, Henry Carter (Will Bloom) presented a perfect foil for Edward, capturing the yearning frustration and desperate fear of a logical man trying to fixate meaning to the rambling stories of his father, as with his blunt and urgent delivery during a misguided visit to the home of Jenny Hill. Together, Carter and Rivers expertly navigated the nuances of this complex relationship with both irritation and love, a dynamicnever so clear as the poignant presentation of "The River Between Us."

In a storyline overwhelmed by male ego, Itsuko Scoville as Sandra Bloom grounded the show with much-needed sincerity. With flashes of fear and grief disrupting the clasped hands and soft smile of her poised and controlled exterior, Scoville deftly embodied a wife and mother trying to keep everything together for the sake of her family. When she was given a moment to express her inner heartache, Scoville's anguished expressions and plaintive, beautiful vocals in "I Don't Need a Roof" made for one of the show's best performances.

Nothing would've been complete without the efforts of Logan Lin, Anna Schoenborn, and the "Big Fish" Costume Assistants, who faced a daunting number of wide-ranging costumes to produce, from the oversized outfit of Karl the Giant to the star-spangled dresses of the USO dancers. Furthermore, the costumes of Sandra and Edward reflected their ages, lending authenticity to time jumps. For example, Sandra's flouncy gingham skirt in the Alabama Lambs in comparison to her reserved, knee-length dress at Will's wedding.

In addition, perhaps one of the most prominent highlights of the show was the choreography by Noah Kennedy, Anna Leo, and August Rivers, who put on display different styles of dancing with every number, including the sharp tango of "I Know What You Want," the vibrant tap in "Red, White, & True," and the ballroom waltz of Will's wedding, ultimately shaping a well-rounded, triple-threat performance from every ensemble member.

The skillful synthesis of acting and technical elements brought both the fantastical tales and human connections of this story to life with passion and vibrancy. South Lakes proved that fantasy and reality are not so much opposites as they are intertwined, and ultimately, we are reminded of the truth and meaning in the stories we tell — onstage, offstage, and in every day of our lives.