By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

lots of pressure, but confidence abound

St. Joseph theatre program excited to bring ‘Big Fish’ to Memorial Centre

Jan 12, 2025 | 10:03 AM

The St. Joseph High School (SJHS) theatre crew’s latest production, Big Fish. is so good, it needs Red Deer’s Memorial Centre to contain it.

SJHS presents Big Fish: The Musical, Feb. 27 through March 1, with evening shows every night at 7 p.m., plus matinees Thursday and Friday at 1 p.m., then another the Saturday at 2 p.m.

Per SJHS:

Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, BIG FISH tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest…and then some! Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him—most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. Overflowing with heart and humour, BIG FISH is an extraordinary musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre—for an experience that’s richer, funnier and bigger than life itself.

The musical is based off Big Fish, a 1998 novel by Daniel Wallace, which was later turned into a film by Tim Burton, in 2003.

lots of pressure, but confidence abound

St. Joseph theatre program excited to bring 'Big Fish' to Memorial Centre

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Some of the musical’s cast and crew recently visited rdnewsNOW to discuss what show-goers can expect, and what the experience will be like in a bigger venue.

L-R: The cast and crew of Big Fish, including ‘Sandra’ understudy Ekaterina Bolgova, stage manager Charlene Jane Bermillo, and ‘Will’ actor, Elysha Ordono.

“It’s a lot more responsibility compared to last year, so it’s a major deal,” said Charlene Jane Bermillo, stage manager and grade 11 student.

“In grade 10 when I started out in musical theatre, we didn’t have that big of a budget, so this is a lot of new stuff for all of us.”

Capacity at the Memorial Centre is higher too, at close to 700.

It’ll feel a lot more, “grand,” said Ekaterina Bolgova, an understudy for the character of Sandra, while Elysha Ordono, who plays Will, acknowledged that it’s a bit nerve-wracking.

“That’s a lot of pressure,” Ordono admitted.

Rehearsals for Big Fish: the Musical, by the St. Joseph theatre program. (Supplied)

For the trio, and the roughly 60 people involved in the production, there’s plenty of passion that goes into making it the best it can be.

“This is something I’ve done for a long time, and I’m personally very passionate about vocals, dance and acting, all parts of musical theatre,” said Bolgova. “I’ve met some of my best friends through musical theatre too.”

They agree too that St. Joseph’s theatre program and what it’s been able to concoct has gotten better each year. On that note, for those thinking about buying a ticket, don’t worry that this won’t be a stellar and quality show, they concurred.

Students can get tickets through Rycor, and the public can buy tickets here. Tickets are $20 each.

Doors open a half hour before each of the six performances. The Red Deer Memorial Centre is located at 4214 58 Street.