Big The Musical
at Louis St. Laurent

Reviewed on December 5, 2019

Haley Fell
Paul Kane High School
Submitted for publication to Edmonton Journal

Every child has wished they could be a grown-up at some point or another, but Louis St. Laurent High School's production of Big the Musical took this idea to the next level in this sweet, hilarious story brought to life by the extensive talent of the students.

Adapted from the 1988 movie, with book written by John Weidman, this captivating musical tells the story of Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old boy who is sick and tired of being a kid and wishes on a strange machine at the carnival to be big. The next morning he wakes up as a fully grown man and after being thrown into the trials of the adult world, has to manage a job, drama and even love, eventually learning that maybe being a kid isn't so bad after all.

Musical numbers like It's Time showcased the bright, childish energy of the neighbourhood kids, while also displaying some talented dancers and Kyrsten Shepherd's impeccable comedic timing in her role as Billy Kopecki. By contrast, through the precise choreography in Coffee, Black, the cast demonstrated themselves as prim and proper adults Diana Ehm as MacMillan especially shone in this aspect. Clearly a dancer, Ehm was graceful yet powerful as her character and even had an excellent tap solo in lieu of the iconic piano scene. It also gave Angelina Pierini as the receptionist a chance to display her incredible talent. She remained engaged throughout the show and she hit the high notes in "Coffee Black" with precision and fantastic diction.

As for the adult Josh Baskin, Eli Yaschuk did an outstanding job of carrying the youthfulness and innocence of a child into the body of a grown-up along with delivering each joke with understanding and purity. Kyla Murphy in her role of Susan Lawrence did a wonderful job in playing the opposite with her strong entrances and determination. Her skills as an actor really shone in a raw, beautiful performance of Little Susan Lawrence and she captured the audience's hearts with her sweet, clear voice.

The exceptional performance of the students was enhanced with the incredible costumes, hair, and makeup. Use of symbolism was scattered throughout, with Josh's signature red converse showing his youthfulness and Susan changing into a red dress after her night with Josh, exhibiting how she has become in touch with her childish side. The difference between the adults and kids was distinct and each piece was detailed and true to the '80s. As for hair and makeup, the students did a phenomenal job of sticking to the time period and it heightened the quality of the show. For stage management, even with only having two weeks to prepare, Anna Andrews, Abbeygael Kuchmak, and Emmie Brulotte did a great job of calling the show.

Both the cast and crew alike did an amazing job in telling this heartfelt and playful story, and reminded ages alike to have a little fun and not grow up too fast.

Annika Schultz
Lillian Osborne High School
Submitted for publication to Edmonton Journal

Filled with acne, growth spurts, and oh, so much sweat, growing up is a phase in life most would be happy to forget. However, our teenage years are a time of learning and self-discovery that should be cherished, a message central in Louis St. Laurent High School's Big The Musical.

Based on the 1988 fantasy/comedy film starring Tom Hanks, Big The Musical tells the tale of 12 year old Josh Baskin who, after being humiliated in front of the hottest girl in school, makes a regrettably vague wish on an enchanted fortune teller carnival game. The next morning, much to his dismay, Josh wakes up as a thirty-year old man, and hilarity, hysteria and heartbreak ensue as he attempts to navigate the ups and downs of adult life in New York City. Featuring music and lyrics by David Shire and Richard Maltby Jr., and book by John Weidman, Big made its Broadway debut in 1996 and received five Tony nominations, including Best Book of a Musical and Best Score.

Portraying the adorable and pricelessly innocent Josh, Eli Yaschuk made a place in the heart of every audience member with his contagious energy and unmistakable genuineness. Yaschuk's striking commitment to his character was unparallelled. He was truly a joy to watch as he spectacularly personified the spirit of a child in an unfamiliar, grown-up body. Alongside Yaschuk, as Josh's younger self, Malaina Schreiber wowed the audience despite her limited stage-time with her delightful voice and captivating warmth. Kyrsten Shepherd brought the house down with her excellent comedic timing as Josh's cheeky best friend, Billy Kopecki. Kyla Murphy shone as the fun-loving yet driven Susan, with her demanding entrance in My Secretary's In Love and emotional rendition of Little Susan Lawrence.

The Louis St. Laurent production team was equally impressive, particularly with the lighting (Jordan Brown) and sound (Kai Sthankiya) department; both magnificently highlighted the performers without distracting from them, and smoothly kept the show moving forward. This paired with an ambitiously large number of changing set pieces and props, which were expertly managed by the backstage crew, made for a highly entertaining and near seamless show.

Adolescence is an inevitably awkward part of life that everyone goes through, but it should not be taken for granted. Louis St. Laurent's dedicated team of actors, creatives and technicians beautifully demonstrated the qualms, uncertainties, joys, and necessity of childhood, and left the audience with smiles of their faces, as they went home reliving their best memories of growing up.

Ashley Baldo
Holy Trinity High School
Submitted for publication to Edmonton Journal

Remember being a child with anticipation for the future? It was pure excitement for what could be accomplished and thinking that everything would be better as an adult. These thoughts portray the innocence of children, and many are faced with the disappointment that life doesn't get easier just like that. Louis St. Laurent High School highlighted this subject in their production of Big The Musical.

Adapted for Broadway in 1996, Big was originally a 1988 film starring Tom Hanks. With various parallels to the beloved movie, audiences can find a piece of their childhood in this production. The story revolves around Josh Baskin, a boy who wishes he was "big" after experiencing the struggles that come as a preteen. The story follows his misadventures as an adult when his wish comes true, and he is faced with the harsh reality of the "big" life.

Louis St. Laurent's production of Big was secured by the hard work and dedication of all the students involved in the show. All members of the cast and crew contributed a piece of themselves to making the musical captivating and energetic.

Opening with preteens Josh (Malaina Schreiber) and his best friend Billy (Kyrsten Shepherd), these actresses displayed commitment to their roles as pre-pubescent boys, even having the audience empathize with their problems dealing with girls and lack of height. Shepherd portrayed Billy with boyish goofiness and movements, taking the spotlight with her performance in the song It's Time. When Eli Yaschuk, who played Josh, was transformed into an adult, he strutted the stage with the awkwardness expected from a boy who has to cope with a new adult body. Yaschuk performed with an air of innocence that aligned with the character as written, and it added another level to the overall experience.

Responsible for the trouble, the Zoltar machine (Jonah ZoBell), demonstrated power and poise with his rich baritone voice. Although some performers were not able to reach every note consistently, their charismatic energy made the show an enjoyable experience. When Josh meets Susan Lawrence (Kyla Murphy), sparks were felt by the audience. Murphy's vocals were clear and pretty and her performance was done with emotional authenticity, making it easy to see why Josh wouldn't want to leave her.

The audience was brought back to the '80s by the costumes, found and chosen by the students. Many of the outfits appeared to be original and legitimate '80s wear, and it was delightful to watch the students dance in such a wide variety of clothing. The set was created by a student crew, which was cohesive, colourful and versatile for every location needed in the production. These technical aspects elevated the show and brought it into a whole new light.

Big The Musical was a "big" show to take on, and Louis St. Laurent took it in stride. Although growing up seems so powerful as a child, this show reminds us that we should enjoy every chapter of being a kid, and hold on to it while it lasts.

Emily Taylor
Archbishop Jordan High School
Submitted for publication to Edmonton Journal

"I never knew that stuff turned back on you when you're big," Josh Baskin remarks as he, a grown man, stands in his signature bright red Converse. We all have once wished to break free from the restrictions and naivety of childhood. However, Louis St. Laurent High School's take on Big The Musical made the audience question whether or not adulthood is the glorious and independence-filled journey it appears to be.

Based on the 1988 fantasy-comedy film starring Tom Hanks, Big The Musical tells the heart-warming and introspective journey of what it really means to become an adult. The story follows naive preteen, Josh Baskin, as he waits eagerly and impatiently for his 13th birthday. After stumbling upon a psychedelic carnival game and making a haphazard wish, little Josh Baskin was not so little anymore.

Eli Yaschuk led the musical, embodying the full-fledged adult version of Josh Baskin. Constantly implementing childlike mannerisms and an amiable charisma into his portrayal, there was not a single doubt that there truly was a kid trapped inside the body of a grown up. It was Eli's sporadic and buoyant physicality that epitomized the '80s preteen persona.

Playing Josh's witty, "too-cool-for-school" best friend Billy Kopecki, Kyrsten Shepherd added even more comedy throughout the show, making the audience uproar with laughter at any chance. Kyrsten's ability to purely capture the vocal quality of a goofy, yet charmingly smug teen boy was outstandingly admirable. The energy she brought to the stage inherently depicted her rowdy and enthusiastic character.

Altogether, the cast of Big extraordinarily portrayed two different age groups, creating a vivid divide between the '80s around-the-block teen and the New Yorker, high-class business executive. Choreography by Emily Grey and Adrianne Pooli in Time of Your Life introduced the MacMillan Toy Store scene with timeless stage pictures and an overall pep-filled atmosphere. All members of the ensemble shone radiantly as they grooved through It's Time, illustrating a classic and nostalgic schoolkid hangout on the block.

With 50 lighting cues, 12 actors on microphones, and a copious amount of set changes, the Big technical team did an astounding job of not only setting the era, but making every scene unique to each of the many themes of the show. Jordan Brown, lighting designer, added to the formula of every actor's shining moment with illuminating spotlight moments. Unforgettable and detail-oriented props including the eye-catching carnival "Zoltar Machine" were handcrafted by Anna Andrews. The classic simplicity of the set, designed and painted by Louis St. Laurent students gave way for the vibrant, hand-picked '80s era costumes.

Louis St Laurent's Big The Musical fully embraced what is is like to be a wide-eyed and optimistic child living in a world full of responsibility and sacrifice. With both laughter-filled and heart-touching points in time, Josh's journey was told wonderfully, and had each audience member leaving with a bit of their inner kid gleaming through.

Andrea Cummins
McNally High School
Submitted for publication to Edmonton Journal

Big The musical takes its viewers back in time to the 1980s with a thirteen year old boy named Josh Baskin. Through charming and ear catching songs the musical revolves around a single wish to become ‘big' and how adulthood may come with new experiences, it is not always what we imagined it to be. Will Josh find what he is looking for 20 years older or will he be swallowed up in one wish?

The set of Big The Musical was done with great attention to detail, with their use of all stage space and era appropriate decor. The bright coloured teenage wardrobe contrast to the dull adult wardrobe was amazing and helped with mood changes of the scene on stage. This brought the audience back into the 1980s and added to the atmosphere of the musical, when you saw the bright colours your attitude was immediately uplifted and when the dull colours came your mood become a little more serious. Jordan Brown had all lighting cues on point and appropriate to the scene dynamic that was on stage. With incredible music and sound done by Kai Sthankiya transitions, mood changes and characters personalities seemed to shine through while still staying true to the era of the musical.

Eli Yaschuk playing Josh Baskin did an incredible job staying true to his character's personality through dancing and singing. He had great attention to detail that although he was playing an adult he still kept the characteristics of a teenager, who would not know much of being ‘big'. His delivery of comedic lines was inspiring and kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Eli also did an impressive job of showing a change of maturity within the characters personality later in the musical. Susan Lawrence, played gracefully by Kyla Murphy did a stunning job of dancing in character with added personality to singing. From her posture, hand placement and great facial expression, Kyla's take on the character was refreshing and true to the details of the character's personality during the events faced in the musical. Kyrsten Shepherd, did an astounding take on Billy Kopecki through her dedication to staying in character as a young boy with slumped shoulders and a slouched walk. Her voice was memorable as well as her noteworthy comedic delivery of lines throughout the production. Kyrsten's performance was truly memorable with her ‘quip' speech structure and devotion to the character's personality.

Billy and the neighborhood kids sang "It's Time" at the beginning of act two and was a definite crowd pleaser; from its tune, uplifted presentation of the song and notable rapping done by Kyrsten Shepherd (Billy Kopecki), truly a favorite song of the show. Great attention to era friendly props done by Ann Andrews including the Zoltar Machine which was also done to perfection.

The performance overall was well rehearsed with significant attention to detail. A real crowd pleaser with lots of laughs and prominent chemistry among the actors and stage crew.