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Big Fish Musical Character Breakdown

The document outlines the roles and vocal ranges for characters in a musical centered on Edward Bloom and his relationship with his son, Will. Key characters include Edward, a charismatic storyteller; Will, a pragmatic son; and Sandra, a supportive wife. Additional roles include various fantasy characters and supporting figures that contribute to the themes of reconciliation and storytelling.

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Kevin Aponte
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863 views1 page

Big Fish Musical Character Breakdown

The document outlines the roles and vocal ranges for characters in a musical centered on Edward Bloom and his relationship with his son, Will. Key characters include Edward, a charismatic storyteller; Will, a pragmatic son; and Sandra, a supportive wife. Additional roles include various fantasy characters and supporting figures that contribute to the themes of reconciliation and storytelling.

Uploaded by

Kevin Aponte
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Roles and Ranges

Edward Bloom – Actor to play man in late 40s-60s and younger versions of himself (may be divided
between two actors). A charming, charismatic storyteller. A devoted yet absent father nearing the
end of his life and wanting to reconnect with his son. He is comfortable in his own skin, but hopes
for Will’s approval. He loves his wife, his son, and telling stories. Vocal Range: Bari-tenor (G2-G4)
Will Bloom – Edward’s son, a realist and a pragmatist; and the polar opposite of Edward. His
journey of reconciliation with his father is the story of the musical. Vocal Range: Tenor C#3-G4.
Sandra Bloom – Actor to play a woman in her late 40s/55s and also younger versions of herself
(may be divided between two actors). Patient, calm, the perfect balance to Edward’s enthusiasm.
She adores and appreciates Edward and tries to bring reconciliation to her husband and son, both
of whom she loves. Vocal Range: Soprano with mix/belt (G3-E5).
Young Will – Boy with unchanged voice, to play 12. *Must be at least 9 years old to be considered*
Intrigued by his father’s stories, but already starts to doubt their truth. Vocal Range: B below middle
C to C an octave above middle C.
Josephine Bloom – Will’s wife. She supports and helps guide Will’s journey toward reconciliation
with his father. Vocal Range: Mix/belt to C#5
Karl the Giant – A giant, one of Edward’s fantasy friends. Through Edward’s friendship, he grows
from being a ‘beastly’ outcast to a highly successful businessman. Requires an actor who has an
appreciation for comic irony and, perhaps, stilt walks. Vocal Range: Bass, A3 to D4
Amos Calloway/Dr. Bennett – A werewolf, another of Edward’s fantasy friends. Masquerading as a
ringmaster of a broken-down circus, he begins as Edward’s tormentor but then, through Edward’s
acceptance, he accepts himself and becomes highly successful. Will also play Dr. Bennet, the
experienced and wise country doctor, Edward’s contemporary. Vocal Range: Baritone, C3-F5,
touches a G5.
Don Price – Edward’s childhood frenemy, an early buddy, bully, and rival for Sandra’s hand. This
role requires a strong actor with a comic sensibility. Vocal Range: Baritone, C3-F#4.
The Witch – The earliest and most fantastic of Edward’s “imaginary” acquaintances, who shows
him how he’ll die. Vocal Range: High belt, F3-F5.
Jenny Hill – Edward’s teenage sweetheart. This role ages from 18 to 60+. Vocal Range: Mix/belt to
E5.
Girl in the Water – Plays a mermaid from Edward’s stories, and appears in the ensemble numbers.
Vocal Range: Mix/belt to C#5
Zacky Price/Mayor – Younger brother and shadow of Don Price. Vocal Range: Baritone/Tenor up to
F#.

Common questions

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Jenny Hill serves as a window into Edward Bloom’s past, highlighting aspects of his identity and past choices. Her role as Edward’s teenage sweetheart introduces a narrative thread that explores memory, nostalgia, and how the past continually influences personal identity. Through her, the audience gains a deeper understanding of Edward’s complexity, motivations, and the choices that shaped his present relationships. Her presence underscores the theme of how personal history and memories contribute to one’s identity .

The Witch plays a crucial role in shaping Edward Bloom’s perception of life and death by showing him how he will die. This revelation impacts Edward’s outlook, making him more adventurous and fearless, as he navigates life knowing its ultimate outcome. Her character introduces a theme of accepting mortality, which is central to Edward’s storytelling and his attempts to impart life lessons to those around him, particularly his son .

Edward Bloom's character reflects the complexities of familial relationships through his dual role as a devoted, yet often absent, father. His charismatic and storytelling nature contrasts sharply with his son Will's pragmatic realism, creating tension between fantasy and reality. Their relationship journey is central to the narrative, as Edward seeks reconciliation and approval from Will while approaching the end of his life. This dynamic illustrates the struggle between maintaining one's identity and bridging gaps within family bonds .

The "Girl in the Water," or mermaid, in Edward Bloom’s stories represents the unreachable and mystical aspects of his narrative imagination. Her character weaves a thread of enchantment and wonder, reflecting Edward’s storytelling style where the ordinary and the fantastical meet. She embodies the allure of mystery and the unexplored, contributing to the fantastical atmosphere while also symbolizing the depth and breadth of Edward’s imagination. This character enhances the magical realism within the narrative, invoking themes of escapism and the power of stories .

Josephine Bloom plays a supportive role in Will Bloom’s emotional journey by guiding and facilitating his reconciliation with Edward. Her presence underscores the importance of empathy and understanding in familial relationships. She acts as an emotional anchor for Will, helping him see beyond his pragmatic viewpoints and appreciate the deeper facets of Edward’s character, thereby assisting in closing the emotional gap between father and son .

Sandra Bloom serves as a mediator by embodying patience and calmness, contrasting with Edward’s enthusiasm and acting as the perfect balance to his character. Her efforts to bring reconciliation between Edward and Will are pivotal as she loves both deeply and appreciates Edward for who he is. By facilitating dialogue and understanding, she contributes to the thematic development of family unity and acceptance despite differences .

Young Will represents skepticism as he begins to question the truth of his father’s fantastical stories, marking the transition from childhood innocence to mature understanding. This character arc reflects a universal theme of growing up, as children start to critically evaluate their parents' narratives. This skepticism is crucial in shaping Will’s later pragmatic outlook as an adult, igniting the initial conflict between him and Edward, which the narrative seeks to resolve through reconciliation .

Don Price embodies the theme of rivalry through his childhood antagonism and competition with Edward Bloom, notably as a rival for Sandra’s affection. This competitive dynamic pushes Edward to prove himself and further explore his storytelling and adventurous nature. Consequently, this rivalry fuels Edward’s desire to craft a life full of remarkable stories, influencing his journey and character development by amplifying his need for acceptance and validation .

Karl the Giant symbolizes the acceptance of those who are deemed outcasts or different in society. Through Edward's friendship, Karl transitions from a 'beastly' figure to a highly successful businessman, reflecting the transformative power of empathy and acceptance. This symbolic relationship enhances the narrative by providing a metaphor for overcoming prejudice and misunderstanding, reinforcing the theme of personal growth through acceptance .

Amos Calloway/Dr. Bennett serves as a dual-symbolic figure, connecting Edward’s fantastical experiences with everyday realities. As a werewolf and ringmaster, Calloway represents Edward’s imaginative side—a source of initial torment transformed into acceptance and success. Dr. Bennett, in contrast, is grounded in reality as an experienced, wise doctor. This dual role mirrors the narrative's blend of fantasy and reality, illustrating how fantasy elements influence and integrate with real-life experiences .

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