Quote of the Day: … in that moment he turned into a weird creature, wild, concurrently young and old, dying and newborn. My father became a myth. Daniel Wallace, author of Big Fish, spoken by the character William, Edward Bloom’s son. 

In the telling of my father’s life, it’s impossible to separate the fact from the fiction, the man from the myth. The best I can do is to tell it the way he told me. It doesn’t always make sense, and most of it never happened. But that’s the kind of story this is. Daniel Wallace, author of Big Fish, spoken by character William, Edward Bloom’s son. 

If I lived in Anoka, MN, I’d go down to the Lyric Arts Main Street Stage and buy a ticket so see Big Fish again tonight. This is a mythical, magical tale about real love and deep affection for one’s family. It’s about a father living a life that took him many places where he met numerous people. When he tells his son about it, however, he embellishes a little. He’s a storyteller. He likes to entertain his son. And, maybe, he felt like his life could have been larger than life, filled with witches and giants, miracles and wonder. Why not? The story struck a chord with me years ago when I watched the 2003 film adaptation of the novel by Daniel Wallace (which I have now ordered and will read soon). Also, the film has a star-studded dream team – Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, and Jessica Lang, to name a few. 

Cast of Big Fish at Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN thru 9/28/25. Photo: Molly Jay

Director Scott Ford has assembled his own dream team for Lyric Arts production of Big Fish. Ben Bakken plays Edward Bloom (both young and old). Kate Beahen plays his wife Sandra, and Will Gaspar plays their son Will. The three feel like a real, bonded family. They have their moments. Will is struggling with his dad’s tall tales and seeking the truth. The Ben, Kate, Will on stage family creates their own magic. Their singing is, of course, top notch. They blend together beautifully and musically. They show raw emotion. The entire cast is all in with this production, and it is a delight to watch. 

Imani Harris as the Witch and Ben Bakken as Edward Bloom in Big Fish at Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN thru 9/28/25. Photo: Molly Jay

The ensemble cast plays numerous parts. Some standouts for me were Imani Harris as the witch, Megan Beard as Jenny, Justin Betancourt as Amos, Sarah Christenson as Girl in Water, Brandon Osero as Karl the Giant, and Kaden Hesser as Young Will. I feel like I should name everyone because they were all outstanding. The choreography by Hannah Weinberg-Goerger was wonderful. Wesley Frye is the music director with a live orchestra (off stage somewhere). The costumes, designed by Samantha Fromm Haddow are gorgeous. So much attention to detail from townsfolks to circus performers. The set design by Curtis Phillips worked great for this show, a raised part, a sort of barn door backdrop that opened at the back or had windows for props and set. Lighting by Shannon Elliott. Sound design by Corinne Steffens, and projections by Brady Whitcomb. All those elements brought out both the realistic elements of their home and home town and those of the fantasy world. It was all so lovely.

Will Gaspar as Will and Megan Beard as Jenny in Big Fish at Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN thru 9/28/25. Photo: Molly Jay

I could go on and on about how wonderful this production is. I really hope you get a chance to see it. It taps into life’s big questions and examines what it means to live, love, experience the world, and to let go. Why stop at the ordinary? Make your life extraordinary, at least in the telling of it. Those stories will live on into the next generation.

Kate Beahan and Ben Bakken in Big Fish at Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN thru 9/28/25. Photo: Molly Jay

You can see Big Fish on stage at Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN through *September 28, 2025. Don’t miss this one, and I like said earlier, I wish I could go again. I loved the movie, and I love the stage production. The musical score is wonderful, and this cast and crew do all the magic to bring it to life.

*Extended through October 5!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: What are some stories that your parents or grandparents told you? What stories to you tell, or will you tell, to the next generation?