El Centro Theatre (Hollywood, CA)
Based on the hit 1987 movie, Big: The Musical follows frustrated, 13-year-old Josh, who wakes up one morning as a 30-year-old man after wishing he were "big." As he becomes a toy company executive and falls in love, Josh realizes that there's more to being an adult than he'd bargained for.
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The last date listed for Big: The Musical was Sunday July 26, 2009 / 3:00pm (Closing Night). (view all dates)
Currently at El Centro Theatre:
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I have already called a dozen people that they MUST SEE this show. It is amazing and we only saw a preview!
Last Sunday afternoon, we went to Hollywood to see “big: The Musical” at the West Coast Ensemble. For those unfamiliar with this musical, which is based on the Tom Hanks movie, it tells the story of 12-year old Josh Baskin. Josh is at that awkward age -- too small for girls to notice him, awkwardly growing into teen-hood. One day at a carnival, Josh wishes to “be big” at the carnival Zoltar machine. The next morning... he wakes up “big”. A grown up. Of course, his mom thinks he’s a stranger and out of the house he goes. His best friend Billy packs him off to New York to find a job, while he goes to find another Zoltar machine. Josh lands at FAO Schwartz, where he meets a toy company executive who can’t figure out why his toys aren’t selling. Josh, being a kid inside, tells him... and gets hired. Now Josh is in the corporate world... and is a success by being a kid at heart. But he also has to start dealing with things he’s never dealt with before: such as the female co-worker who falls for him. Does he stay “big” for her, or does he go back to being a kid?
But that’s just the story. “big” is really a play about how kids grow up too fast, and what it is really like to be a kid inside. We all lose that kid far to quickly these days. I just heard a wonderful piece on Quirks and Quarks about the importance of play... and that’s something that is harder and harder to do in today’s world: just be playful. We see the view of the parents, whose children grow up far to fast. We see the view of the adults, all business. We also see the dilemma through two important sets of eyes: Josh’s, who must face the difficulties of adult love for the first time, and Susan, the colleague who falls for him, who learns that sometimes playfullness is the secret to love. I should note that the book for “big” is by John Weidman, based on the screenplay by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg. Music was by David Shire, with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr..
West Coast Ensemble is a theatre group that does great things with off-beat musicals like this. We’ve seen them work their magic on “Zanna Don’t” and “Assassins” before, and this production was no exception. Working in an extremely limited space, they created the flexibility to pull this off. As an example, one of the best known numbers in the show is the one where Josh and the president of the Toy Company dance on a gigantic floor keyboard. This theater could not afford a gigantic fancy lit keyboard--so they just painted one on the floor, and as the actors danced on the keys, the ensemble behind them sang individual notes. Their musical director (Daniel Thomas) also created a great sound with what appeared to be a single keyboard. A simple multi-level stage became everything from a schoolyard to bunk-beds in an apartment, to a working office, to a toy store... with just a few props. Credit goes to Stephen Gifford for his remarkable stage design and Lisa D. Katz for her imaginative lighting design in the limited space.
Of course, no production would be complete with out the actors, and this production had an excellent set of them. Leading the cast as the adult Josh Baskin was Will Collyeræ, who captured the kid inside of him, as well as being a great singer and dancer. His adult love interest, Susan Lawrence, was played by Darrin Revitzæ, and equally great singer and dancer. Both were just having fun with the roles, which is a joy to see. Others in the cast who particularly impressed me were: Johanna Kent (Mrs. Kopecki/Panhandler/Salesperson/Miss Watson/Diane), who we saw first in Assassins as Sara Jane Moore, and must be one of the most expressive actresses around; Alex Scolari (Cynthia Benson/Goth Girl/Kid/Intern), who we saw in 13 and was just mesmerizing, and LJ Benet as the young Josh Baskin, who in his second act solo number demonstrated a remarkable voice. Also worthy of note were Lisa Picotteæ as Mrs. Baskin and Larry Lederman as Mr. MacMillan (head of the toy company). Rounding out the cast were Ashley Marie Arnold (Tiffany/Kid), Sterling Beaumonæ (Billy Kopecki), Joseph Castanon (Brandon/Kid), Coby Getzug (Derek/Gang Dude/Kid/Intern), Frank Romeoæ (Mr. Kopecki/Arcade Guy/Salesperson/Birnbaum/Nick), Jake Wesley Stewart (Mr. Baskin/Drag Queen/Salesperson/Barret/Tom), Sara J. Stuckey (Mom/Homeless Lady/Salesperson/Receptionist/Abigail), Kaylie Swanson (Debbie/Kid), and Stephen Vendette (Dad/Stoner Musician/Paul Seymour).
[æ denotes members of æ Actors Equity ]
I’ve already spoken about the excellent technical side of this production. Completing the backstage element were Sharon McGunigle with an excellent costume design (although I’m unsure whether cell-phones were that prevalent during that period), and Cricket S. Myers for Sound Design. The production was directed by Richard Israel assisted by Suzanne Doss. Choreography, which was remarkable given the limited space, was by Christine Lakin, assisted by Corrie English. The stage manager was Amy E. Stoddardæ, who was gracious to take our daughter backstage to discuss working in technical theatre. The producer was Ben Campbell. West Coast Ensemble is under the artistic direction of Les Hanson and Richard Israel.
I should note that if you are familiar with “big” from the cast album: some of the songs appear to be changed. In particular, I noticed a new song for Josh’s mom (“Say Good Morning to Mom”) in the opening, and I think one or two others were changed. However, a number of my favorites are still there, including “Fun”, “Stars”, “Cross the Line”, and “Coffee Black”. Some of the song changes are explained in the Wikipedia page.
Abselutely a must for anyone who liked the movie and likes musicals. it is, after all, a musical. Going to a small theater I think my expectations are smaller as well, but this musical delivers BIG! The kids, and you know about acting kids, it could get rough sometimes... but in this case, they were really awesome, acting and singing. And so were the bigger kids... :) And even a week later I still humm once in a while one of the most beautiful songs in the play "Stars"... Now stop reading reviews and just go see it. You will not regret it.
I went to see Big with my hus band and another couple. We were a little worried about the neighborhood, but as soon as the play started, we were all soooooo glad we attended! The kids were EXCELLENT!!! OK, so were the big people . . . The music was GREAT and catchy! We all highly recommend it to everyone who wants to see a wonderful show!
I have family visiting in a few weeks and will be taking them. This is too fun to not share this with more people.
Well, I love surprises and this show was full of them. What a great show this is. I posted a DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW on facebook, but now it's sold out on GoldStar...too bad...this is truly one of the best musicals in town.
It was really good but arrive at least 40 minutes before the show because it is a very small theater and parking is hard to find in that area.
The actors in this musical really bring quite alot of joy and excitement and make this musical come alive. I enjoyed every second of it. Great dancing, singing, acting, and wonderful to watch. I suggest everyone see this for some good fun and laughter.
A truly inspired production. Great cast..Great direction...I truly believe that if this production were off broadway right now...it would be a BIG hit.
The original stage versions were killed by making the show enormous...
Love the BIG in a smaller venue.
First of all, let me say that I realized that I am not a big fan of the show. I felt there were structural problems, some inconsistencies, a little "reaching" with the lyrics and occasionally the music (none of which was memorable, save the cool jazz harmonies...which were clever and distinctive). That being said, the production itself was outstanding. The cast was exemplary, particularly the lead playing the adult sized version of Josh. I also work with kids all the time, these are some of the best, great job all of you! The ensemble was terrific playing a multitude of characters. Creative use of space, kudos to the choreographer and cast for making that work well. The set was imaginative and utilitarian, complimenting the production, not overwhelming it. Anyone reviewing this show should try to focus on the merits of work done by a great cast and crew. We enjoyed the evening very much. (I would cut the "rap" number for sure).
As a fan of the original movie, I was curious as to how they could pull this off on a small stage and a limited budget. Well, they did. This was one of the best productions I have seen in a long time. The main reason was the talent. There were 16 or 17 players involved in this production. Singing, dancing and enthusiasm were all exhibited at the highest caliber. I highly recommend this show to anyone who enjoys theatre, young and old alike. On the Rob report card scale, I give it an A+ Thank you GOLDSTAR for making this a great evening.
SO much fun. My sister and I went to a Sunday afternoon showing, and at first were a little worried when we realized 2/3 of the audience were under 10 years old (I guess what do you expect for a Sunday afternoon?).
But it turned out to be wonderful, really funny and all the actors were fantastic. The music was amazing and catchy. I'm recommending it to everyone.
I really didn't like the show. Can't really blame this production -- they tried hard. Some of the actors were quite good. But it really felt like a "highlights from the movie" production. Songs, I thought, were universally awful.
While hardly anything new beyond the movie it is pleasant. The female lead, Darren Revitz, is brilliant. One suspects a star there.Keep an eye out for her. She is good enough to guarantee an effective performance in anything se does. She is the main reason for bothering with this belated review.
The kids were important in this version as well and added good humor to the whole.
It was a good musical but it adds nothing to the original and Tom Hanks can not be touched in that break out performance.
The El Centro Theatre is small and intimate. It is a great choice for those who enjoy smaller venues. The seats are very close together and a bit uncomfortable but with a great show, those things are very easy to look past. I'm a huge fan of the movie Big and was very curious about how it was made into a musical. It was excellent! The actors did a wonderful job and the story was still very much like the original. Very enjoyable!
It was a first rate show. It was as good as any large theatre production because the sets were inventive, costumes tailored made, music and voices perfect, actors all Broadway equivalent...I saw this musical years ago at the Canjho Players in Thousand Oaks and thought it had possibilities to be more entertaining and the West Coast Ensemble proved it to be a first class show...
Kudos to all involved, especially Will Collyer, Darrin Revitz and director, Richard Israel.
While this is not a great musical score, it does have its gems in "Stars" and "Stop Time".
This was the closing performance, so there are no more chances to see this enchanting musical.
I am not sure what all the hoopla about this production of "Big: The Musical" is all about. However, producing a show (a musical, no less) on a stage that is smaller than my living room, must present its challenges.
The script of the show had been "tinkered" with, and the result was disappointing. Many orginal songs were dropped from Act 1, and some replaced with lackluster second-rate tunes. How they could drop "This Isn't Me", the turning-point song when Josh wakes up in the morning and realizes that he has become "big" is beyond me. P.S. people, the music in musicals is to heighten the emotion. This pivotal song was just tossed away.
Speaking of music, what's up with the "canned" [digital] orchestra? Shouldn't live theatre have live musicians? (And no, I don't count the guy tripping over the Casio for scene changes an orchestra.)
That being said, the real kids in the show were fine - you could see they were really enjoying themselves. The adults were (how shall I put it?) LESS fine. However, the actor playing "big" Josh was just terrific - he was likeable, had talent, and was well-suited for the role. In my opinion, the direction for Susan ("big" Josh's love interest) was coming from the wrong place. This Susan is manipulative. Susan should be exhausted with her previous boyfriend's cocky bravado and find Josh's innocence appealing - she doesn't need to "play" him.
I saw this show on Broadway, and could never understand why such a likeable show had such a short life. Now I have seen this production in Hollywood and can't understand why it has had such a long life.
I echo the comments of the others who have praised this production. While the score is ultimately quite forgettable (though often witty and completely in service to the plot and character development), the show is well-executed by an excellent cast. Very much worth seeing.
We enjoyed the show very much. The staging was very clever. Unfortunately, it must have been cast family day. The audience was full of children who were perhaps a bit too young for live theater. They were bouncing endlessy in their chairs, talking, whining, etc. especially during quiet moments that should have been quiet. If that wasn't distracting enough, there was a man eating during the show, and rattling his wrapper loudly and you could actually hear him eating. It is sad that people don't have more respect when they attend a live production. Apparently they think they are at the Cineplex, or at home on the couch. We left the theater very stressed instead of happy as we should have. Again, the production was cute, but too much unwanted audience participation. Also theater was very stuffy.
This is one of my all time favorite movies, so I was very excited to go see this. The kids in the movie were great. The theatre however was WAY too small, hot and stuffy. It wasn't a very comfortable place. I do think if they would've done it in a bigger theatre there would've been room for more props and more moving around. All in all though, it was a reminder of why I like this movie so much!
As a musicals junkie, I was really looking forward to seeing BIG, as it is not often that we get a chance to see a musical that has not been done umpteen times before. But I had trepidation about the show, as I remembered the less than glowing reviews it had received on Broadway.
Well, I thought it was great. Not only was there a good book and cute/interesting songs, but huge kudos to director Richard Israel for mounting it so creatively and sensitively in a small space.
I thought the casting was excellent too. There were some really fine singing voices.
Maltby & Shire's score was even captivating enough that I would consider buying the CD.
Just don't drink anything before the show. There's only one bathroom in this theater.
I couldn't believe it was the first preview! The cast and the whole production was so in sync and ready to go. It was ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL. The cast was 100% strong and the direction and production top notch. It never ceases to amaze me what can be accomplished in a small theater. Go Go GO!!! It has a delightful sense of humor, and even having seen the movie many times, knowing exactly what would happen and how, I enjoyed watching this production get there. Absolutely a MUST SEE.
Having enjoyed the film numerous times, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about a small musical stage version of BIG. Bravo to the West Coast Ensemble for mounting such an enjoyable and entertaining musical comedy in a very limited space. There is nothing small about this production. The large, talented cast of children and adults in multiple roles gives its all in the exuberant musical numbers. As Older Josh, Will Collyer channels Tom Hanks from the film version with a perfect balance of charm, innocence and wonder necessary to pull off a thirteen-year-old boy stuck in a man's body, trying to navigate in an adult world of business and romance. Larry Lederman, as Mr. MacMillan, Josh's boss at the toy company, and Darrin Revitz, as Susan, Josh's jaded love interest who rediscovers true love, are both engaging and aptly cast. Also excellent is Lurie Poston, who was taking over the role of Josh's best friend, Billy, on the night we attended. The sparse set design works well, allowing the cast to make use of every inch of the small stage in the numerous scene changes and professionally choreographed dance numbers, including the famous floor piano scene at FAO Schwartz.
Yes, the seats at the El Centro Theatre are tight (beware of people spilling over into your seat), and the street parking in this iffy neighborhood can be difficult if you come close to show time. However, if you arrive early enough to find a parking space nearby and grab yourself a seat on the far aisle (less chance of someone asking you to move over next to a "seat spiller"), this theatrical experience will be well worth it. Don't miss it!
This was a very cute production with a great cast. Several of the musical numbers were really terrific! "Susan's Friends" and "I Like My Coffee Black" - fantastic! I left the theater with "Stars" playing in my head. This was an evening of fun entertainment. Go!! Be prepared for parking challenge in this residential and apartment crammed area. And very uncomfortable seats. I had to move 3 times to get to a seat cushion that didn't have sprung seats. This venue needs to take note and update their seats -- I'm not picky, but they were really awful, and it would keep me from being a subscriber to this particular theater. But, back to the "Big" production -- a definite great night out, so don't let it slip by. You won't be disappointed.
I loved it! The leads Josh and Susan had so much chemistry together. My favorite number was " Susan's Friends" which is hysterical. I thought the kids in the ensemble were really strong and I really enjoyed the dance numbers. Great choreography for such a small stage. I would highly reccomend it to all age groups. A really fun show.
Okay, I will start by saying that we did not see a four-star performance, but it was the first night of previews, there were a few tech glitches and one actor who was not 100% off book, but... Who Cares? This was a great show performed by a terrific cast! I may go see it again at the end of the run, just to see how they evolve. A few of the big numbers need a little more energy, but to get to see such great theater from the intimacy of a 99 is really rare. There are no bad seats in the house, but the front two rows really are preferable for the piano scene (which is brilliantly staged). Also, if you are not familiar with this musical, but love the movie, then you must go. They got everything right, and the song "Stars" has been in my head since leaving the theater. Bravo.
This was a very enjoyable and upbeat production. Some of the singers were a bit uneven, but it was a preview and I imagine that they will only get better from here. Overall we had a great time, but be warned parking is a challenge, the box office line was long and slow moving and the seats were cramped. Still, none of this prevented us from having a great time and enjoying all of the talented folks on the stage.
The show was fantastic! The staging, pacing, casting, coreography, and talent were all top notch. The only negative comment I have is the seats in the theater were very uncomforable!
I've been in love with this story since I was a kid! This musical version is as fabulous as can be.
5-star cast; everyone was superb. Scores were great "Susan's friends" LOL.
Big "Josh" and Susan possess amazing chemistry =)
This musical was great!!!!! Very funny!!!! Enjoyed myself immensely!!!!
I Loved this theatre production and the cast was great! I thought that the venue was a great place, too. Small and personal!
our family of 5(kids 12,9, and 7) had a wonderful time at this performance, actors both kids and adults were outstanding. very funny and clever portrayal of movie.
very small theater, get there early for parking and seating, we enjoyed dinner at a sushi restaurant around the corner prior to!!!!
Energetic, entertaining, and charming. This theatrical presentation was remarkably professional and enjoyable. Definitely worth seeing. Many people brought their kids who seemed to have a great time.
Excellent! I can picture this production on Broadway or Off-Broadway. Will Collyer is exceptional. I look forward to seeing him in other shows. This is a great show for kids. And a great show for adults. Don't miss it.
A great event! Everyone in the cast is exceptional. Good voices and enuciation so you could understand every word. Great dance numbers on such a small stage. Good for the whole family. I went with four other people and they all enjoyed it.
My girlfriend and I really enjoyed the show. The stage was very small but the cast made it work.
My girlfriend had not seen the movie so we saw it this weekend and she liked the musical better.
I would recommend this show.
Lots of fun, especially the keyboard sequence. They did wonders with such a tiny stage! Will Collyer was the stand-out performer, a true talent.
Great show.
Very entertaining for adults and also a great show to bring the kids(ages 11 & up). If you liked the movie you'll love the play. Talented cast and wonderfully written songs. With some minor tweeking, this show could go far. Small theatre...all seat are good. Park on side streets and walk a block or two.
This Musical was excellent. The whole casts were so good, and you liked the show continued for hours. A must see show. Dont miss that.
had a great night out! such an adorable show! spread the word!
A huge undertaking in this small space, delivered with fine singing and warmth and real humor. We saw it on Broadway and there's been some rewriting, still a touching and funny show, offered here with great imagination. Bravo!
What a wonderful and delightful show! Outstanding performance by all! If you can get tickets I highly recommend seeing this show! We loved everything about it! Great blending of generations.
It was funny. Great performances, the leading lady was really strong, very funny. Would have liked to hear the music on something othe rthan just a little keyboard though.
4 STARS! Adorable, Campy, Amazing Cast! Big time fun for the whole family....A must see
very entertaining!
I read the reviews before ordering so I knew that this was in a bad area. I was still a bit surprised as I drove down the crappy residential neighborhood. I was extremely lucky to find a parking space right out front. Go early because this is a residential area and there are no garages so everyone parks on the street. The theater itself seems to be newly renovated in the lobby which is painfully small. There is only one bathroom and the line is long so don't buy the beverages they offer and hold it as long as possible. The seats are not comfortable and the small theater only seats 45. The stage is about as big as my kitchen but the cast makes it all work. The show itself was great. The air was on for the first part of the show then switched off leaving the packed seating section sweaty and uncomfortable not to mention the poor cast who was jumping and dancing all over the stage. You could see the sweat rolling down their faces. We brought our two boys to the show. They are 14 and 10 and they were surpirsed that they liked the show. They were already thinking no way this can be good when we drove down the street to park lol. It's too bad that this show isn't on a bigger stage with better props. The cast and the acting is fantastic.
I liked the show... and loved the performances. Only three weeks left, but worth seeing, and take the teenagers!
It was great! The performances were amazing. The whole playwright went along perfectly. I did not once get bored. I loved and enjoyed every minute of it. I would totally love to see it again. :)
Possibly 1 of the best Waiver Theatre productions ever. Will Collyer a delight. Larry Lederman absolutely wonderful. I'd go on, but I'd be mentioning the entire cast! (not that they don't deserve it) Whomever cast this show has a career as a professional casting director! Perfect!
Hear it's been extneded for anther month. GO, you lucky people! You'll love it!
Very wonderfully performed. Would highly recommend this musical.
What a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Theater was crowded...that's probably a good thing for the theater company, so dress casual and be ready to make friends. The show was terrific. Wonderful cast, full of talent and energy. The two leads were just great. I even cried when Josh went back to being 13 and left Susan behind. Loved the ensemble too.
This was a excellent musical, every cast member was great. My 12 year old really enjoyed it!
The event was great! Very fun, and the cast did a phenomenal job. The stage was small, but its use was very creative. Highly recommend!!
Loved this modern telling of the story. Great for kids and families, but enough spice for adults to relate. Saw it with 12, 18 and 20 yr old and they all loved it. The cast was extraordinarily talented--great voices! I never saw a single moment where a cast member (even in the background) was not in the moment. Stage design was interesting and fun. I've seen several shows at WCE, and every one has been very high quality, especially in comparison to some of the other smaller theatre companies in town. Highly recommended!
It was disappointing, at best. The book and score were forgettable, but that wouldn't necessarily be the grounds for the disappointment, 'cause I've long been curious to see and hear one of Broadway's most infamous flops. Plus, other forgettable scores have still yielded interesting productions. What was so disappointing was the incredibly mediocre, non-charismatic and no-chemistry cast, admittedly worsened by a barely-prepared understudy for 'Josh' (is this cast really the best we can get in the heart of Hollywood?); the annoying and totally unnecessary updates to the book; and the very weak sets and staging, which only makes me think the West Coast Ensemble is in dire need of an influx of both cash and creativity. Compared to their production of "Assasins," this was downright amateurish -- more community theater than anything else.
I'm truly astounded by the number of 4-star reviews on Goldstar; I can only assume they're being padded by people associated with the show (and/or their friends and relatives) or that a huge portion of Goldstar's patrons are just not very discriminating theatre-goers.
It was a good effort by the actors in a confined space....For those who loved the movie, you might not be overly impressed....but it's a fun night nonetheless...
The two leads were spectacular together...great chemistry and both extremely charming. Having never seen the musical version, I was pleasantly surprised by the music. GO!
The cast was fine. But, the musical was bad. They should have never made that movie into a musical. And the choreography was WAY over the top for such a small stage.
"Big" was BIG. This was a "Annie" type enjoyment for the kid in all of us. I would suggest this one for a great outing with your favorite teen or pre-teen playmate. As in the movie, it will bridge the understanding gap for big ones and little ones. My favorite scene was the piano being jumped on while the cast vocally created the tune. The, theater, however wasn't a plus; the seats and setting were uncomfortable and much like ride a books economy air flight.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this musical! EVERYONE in it was absolutely WONDERFUL! The choice of an ice cream treat before the show was such a charming touch!
Too bad this show is closed now, because everyone should have seen it! Amazing performances..
I went to see the musical with high hopes and left rather disappointed. I thought that the actors did a tremendous job .. especially the leads. However, the musical numbers themselves were not very good, and I don't believe that there is one song in the production that will stick with me. I still love the original story and would have enjoyed it much more if it were a simple play adaptation.
Very enjoyable show.
The musical and cast were great, but the theatre it self was not. We were there for the 3pm show, arrived an hour early, but the box office didn't even open until 2:30pm. We had to wait under a scorching sun. They couldn't let anyone in until 10min before the show, so everyone was cramped in this very tiny hall way, with no AC. The theatre seats about 70 people, and it was a full house, the seats were uncomfortable and cramped, and the AC wasn't working too well. So, my suggestion would be to go for a night show instead, especially on a very hot summer day.
Really well done musical, especially in a small theater. I would recommend it.
i took my 8 year old daughter and we were both blown away
The ONLY drawback to this show is the book itself. It's horrid. But the performances were great. Would recommend on that alone.
A wonderful afternoon. The two leads were terrific. What chemistry. I really got caught up in the story. An exquisite transformation seen in Susan. At first the character is brash, we warm up to her in the middle and in the end we are rooting for Josh to stay. I got a bit teary when they said goodbye in the song Stars at the end. Josh and Susan really stand out, as they should it is their spot to shine and they rise to the top. Good ensemble work, especially in Susan's friends. The entire cast work really hard to give it their all seeing that they are dealing with a very small stage. Great voices through-out. The theater was packed on s Sunday afternoon, that says something. I give it 4 stars.
I thoroughly enjoyed this very funny and charming show based on the well known film starring Tom Hanks. The leads were all excellent, the songs surprisingly funny with excellent lyrics, and the production values excellent for a 99 seat! Good show to bring your teen and tweens to, but plenty there for the adults. A definite recommendation on this one!
At the start, I was worried, but by the end, I was happily impressed with Big: The Musical.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The theater is located in a visually unattractive area (run down apartments, guys walking around with shopping carts full of junk, etc) with residential parking only. It does not present itself well. Once inside, the theater feels a bit small and my chair cushion needs to be replaced. It's a far cry from Broadway.
THE SHOW STARTS: The small stage seems very confining to the story and combined with some cheap A/V effects make me worried at the start. But within a few minutes the energy of the cast and the charm of the story raise my spirits and the show's got me hooked. Suddenly, stage doesn't feel small; it feels intimate.
THE MUSIC: the songs are cute, but not altogether memorable. It's only a couple days later and I can't really recall any of the music. I enjoyed it, but I'm not rushing out to find the CD.
THE CAST: The cast did a great job overcoming my trepidation about the theater, stage, etc and gave me a great night. Will Collyer plays Josh Baskin well, a child in a man's body. He's surrounded by a great supporting cast who work well together.
AN EASTER EGG FOR LOST FANS: You may recognize "Young Ben Linus" cheezing it up in the role of Billy.
IN THE END: A pleasant night; I'm happy i went. If I had paid $150 for a Broadway ticket, I'd have felt gypped, but taken down a notch to a smaller venue is a great fit.
Great performances for a small venue from the leads. The young people were terrific. Some weakness in supporting adults, but the music made up for that.
My boyfriend and I loved this Musical. Considering the fact that my boyfriend doesn't usually attend events like that I was surprised watching his changing emotions throughout the show. It was written on his face: he enjoyed it! I loved it even more.
The Musical starts with the kids: so amazingly gifted children! Not to offend adults performing in the show, those kids are the best actors I have ever seen! Theis act is filled with humor,talent and joy. They made us laugh so much!
While kigs made us laugh, it was adult's turn to entertain us when the main hero turned into an adult. There was laugh and tears. It was a very emotional ending.
I would say that all the actors performing that day are real professionals - no doubt. And even though the surrounding area of the theatre is not great at all, the theatre is really small and scarry, the show was a 100% entertaining. My boyfriend said he would go again. We loved it!!!
This was a very pleasant surprise as I had not seen the show in NY. Not only was the music great but the staging was terrific and the cast were amazing. A feel good evening!!
What a fun play...extremely well done!
Will Collyer and Darrin Revitz were outstanding...the rest of the cast was great too!
I strongly recommend it!!!
Enjoy!!!
Brought the entire family and everyone loved it! Would highly recommend this play.
Fantastic production. It's had to believe that a theater which is large enough for only 45 people could assemble such a talented and numerous cast and do such an excellent job on a small stage with limited props - but they did. I highly recommend this show to everyone. See it before it finishes its run. It's worth the trip to this odd little theater in the heart of a not very nice residential neighborhood. More than worth the trip.
What a fun production in an unspecting location. The show was witty, funny and the music was entertaining. They made incredible use of such a small stage. The theater is tiny and it is located in a VERY bad residential neighborhood. We heard gunshots while in line followed by a police helicopter circling shortly thereafter. Don't let that stop you from seeing the play, it's that good. Just arrive early to park close. If you are staying in Hollywood, consider taking a cab (it was a $10 ride from the theater to Hollywood and Highland).
The story of "Big" is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It's poignant and funny and, at times, more than a little melancholy. The cast was tremendous and professional in every way. The stand out (thankfully) was the role of "Big Josh". He combined the little kid sensibility and awkwardness with the growing awareness of what being big entails. Other standouts were the magnificent Susan and Mom who performs an absolutely heartbreaking rendition of "Stop Time". The role of the CEO of FAO Schwartz was played with relish and unrelenting glee.
Ok. The performances and technical aspects were terrific. I just wish the songs were better. They all kind of bland together (pun intended) into a not very memorable mush. With the exception of "Stars" and the previously mentioned "Stop Time", I'm not convinced this needed to be a musical and then we're left with a re-enactment of the movie.
We had a great time. The production was top-notch. Just don't expect great art. It's a fun diversion.
The show was very enjoyable. Excellent cast and fun music.
Great production. 17 talented actors. Wonderful songs and music. A really fun evening. A real bargain.
I took my 9 year old grandson and we both absolutely loved it! The music was wonderful. The voices were fabulous and the story was very entertaining for both adults and kids. My grandson only covered his eyes once...for the single kiss!
I only wish I had more grandchildren the right age to take. It's well worth seeing even if you don't have grandchildren. The actors were as good as any you would see at the Ahmanson or Taper.
Excellent show. We throughly enjoyed it. The talent of the cast, choregraphy and direction all spectacular.
Whimsical music & lyrics, a VERY talented cast and choreography that boggled the mind - especially considering the size of the cast & the size of the stage. This production of Big: The Musical is first class entertainment! When Lisa Picotte, as the Mom, sang about missing her son, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. The song Make My Coffee Black has been in my head ever since the performance. Don't miss this event! Buy your tickets NOW!
This musical is fun, tender, and impressive. It is impressivein part, for the talent and organization of many actors in a such a small venue; Children who can effectively play adults at times, and adults who show the vulnerability we all share. A fine evening of inspiring entertainment.
Loved the show. Especially the kid ensemble.
Very talented group of kids
Amaaaaazing! We saw it Sunday and had a blast! My 2 kids loved the whole thing (and they even sat still for 2 hours). The two leads were just tremendous, congrats to the whole cast. GO SEE IT!
the only critique is that the theatre was a little hot at times. A/C went on and off?
This is a fun show. All of the performances were good and it was well directed. Yet another great production from West Coast Ensemble. If I had any complaints it would be with the material itself. The music is just OK. I didn't like first act's closing number, nor the finale which I thought was a little abrupt. Nonetheless, I would recommend the show.
My family and I enjoyed the show. The quality of the presentation was excellent. I recommend it. I took 3 boys aged 14, 11 and 3. They enjoyed it too.
Overall, Fantastic! This was a great show that could be destined for Broadway with a little money behind it. Funny and touching with some strong acting and singing by a couple of the performaers but overall, everyone was good. A couple of the numbers could use a little reworking but overall it was a funny, light, and completely entertaining show focusing on growing up. I wish the stage would have been a little bigger to allow for more freedom with some of the dance numbers. It got a little cramped. I don’t know how the actors didn’t ram into each other but the talented bunch managed to hold it together with grace and charm. Aside from a couple of spicy words, it was an appropriate show for my 7 and 10 year old boys. I would recommend it to any family looking for a fun and enjoyable show.
After seeing all of the reviews, with excellent remarks, my expectations were even higher to see this production. Needless to say my experience fell flat of what I was hoping for. To be fair the space is small and the staging was somewhat imaginative and good use of it. The person running the lights should be fired. Throughout the show, cues were missed, 3 times the performer was singing in the dark, a big light cue missed in the opening number (not a good 1st impression) and through out the show their was another person in the lighting booth carrying on a conversation, laughing, and moving their arms with getures. The lighting booth is right in everyone's eyesight and was extremely distracting and unprofessional.
The performances of the actors were uneven. IT seemed like it took the majority of the 1st act to get everyone into it and on the same page. With the exception of Josh's best friend and Josh's Mom, they came out ready to give us a show! The 4 other ensemble members, all of 'Susan's friends' were top notch. Excellent voices and choices. I wish the other leads were as strong as they they were.
They used some of the kids and doubled them over as toy store exec's this = lame! A 15 year old boy does not look like a corporate employee!
The props and scenery were pretty much nonexistant. They could have used colorful banners or large objects to fill the space, create an environment, and put some life into a steel blue set!
The actually book and music were enjoyable I just wish the leads stepped up to the plate. Great Job to the ensemble adults!
It was so much fun, and so well performed. I am amazed at the scope of the musical put on in such a small space, but it all worked
Very sweet show, great grown up Josh! The songs were great and there was a nice updated twist to the show.
A very enjoyable surprise! The reviews here were great and my husband cringed when we drove up but he really liked it and so did our 8 yr daughter (yes, she has seen the movie)
Our party of three loved Big The Musical. The show was such a pleasant surprise and such a fun theatre experience. I would highly reccommend seeing it to anyone ages 10-90. The entire cast was terrific and anyone of them could just as easily be on Broadway. We loved the two leads Josh and Susan, Coffee Black, Susans Friends and the entire Kid ensemble was very impressive in thier singing and dancing
Great show. The cast is very talented.
My friend and I really loved the show. Its a really fun show with a wonderful cast of adult and kid actors. Very professional theatre company and kudos to the director and choreographer for putting together such a top notch show on such a small stage! Loved Coffee Black number
"Big: The Musical" at El Centro earned all its positive reviews. Clever staging and impressive singing and acting from the leads, Will Collyer as adult Josh and Darrin Revitz as Susan. Performances from the other actors ranged from pretty good to fantastic.
The score by David Shire has depth and feeling, with clever chord choices. The only weakness with the musical is its book, which, at the end of the show, feels rushed and, at times, borders implausibility. However, if you're at all inclined to see this musical, which had only a short tenure on Broadway, you will likely never see a better production.
My teenage kids and I loved the show, they want to come see it again. The performances and the music were great. I have to say I was surprised!
I had a great time at the play. The venue is very small and the seats are too close to each other, but the play was great. I would recommend to everyone, and kids will love it.
Tips are provided by Goldstar members and West Coast Ensemble. Goldstar is not responsible for their content or accuracy.
The newly refurbished El Centro Theatre has 2 stages: The Circle (99 seats) and The Chaplin (45 seats).
Website: http://www.westcoastensemble.org/
<p>Book by John Weidman, Music by David Shire, Lyrics by Richard Maltby
Based on the Motion Picture Big written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg
Directed by Richard Israel
"I wanna be big." This rarely produced musical gem, based on the smash-hit 1987 movie, bursts onstage in this vibrant, tuneful and touching production by three of Broadway's modern masters. When frustrated adolescent Josh Baskin wishes he were big and wakes up the next morning a 30 year-old man, he discovers there's much more to being an adult than he'd bargained for. A witty and insightful book and a dazzling and energetic score turn this already classic motion picture fantasy into an unforgettable theatrical experience for the whole family.</p>
WCE is a multi-ethnic company of professional actors, writers, directors and technicians working together to produce a full four-show MainStage Season and a Parallel Season of smaller, challenging plays, as well as Studio Series productions.
