Archikulture Digest
Big Fish

Big Fish

Valencia State College

Dear old dad has his quirks, but then all dads do. Edward Bloom (Muñoz) tells tall tales, his son doesn’t believe them, and the family is under stress when son Will (Wood) wants to marry, but not have dad embarrass him with his tall tales at the reception. Good luck on that front. We then slide back into a time when Edward was a young man and meet the mythical figures that populate his life: a mermaid, a giant, a witch, and his girlfriend Sandra (Burnett). Ed ends up in a circus, here his life is filled with poverty and storybook adventures. In Act Two things get darker, it looks like Ed really does hold a fatal secret, but we find out that secret is more wonderful that real life.

I’d class this a romantic fantasy with a filigree of gimmicks scattered around the stage. As time passes, the giants shrink to tall men, the mermaids take off their tails at the end of their shift, and the circus leaves town to save the plot line. Mr. Muñoz might be the ideal father: engaging and entertaining and always out for his sons best. Burnett’s Sandra felt patient and loving, and never really found out how bad things might have been. But the highlight of this show flows from the various stilt walking, mermaid kissing, and curse throwing that decorates Edwards life. He’s a sounding board, a man who absorbs bad energy and re-emits it as goodness waves. “Big Fish” is a big show in a small pond, a description of a loving and idealized life, and a refreshing look at life filled with mystery and love.

http://valenciacollege.edu › East Campus › Arts and Entertainment › Theatre


Recently on Ink 19...

Rampo Noir

Rampo Noir

Screen Reviews

Phil Bailey reviews Rampo Noir, a four part, surreal horror anthology film based on the works of Japan’s horror legend, Edogawa Rampo.

Garage Sale Vinyl: Eddie Money

Garage Sale Vinyl: Eddie Money

Garage Sale Vinyl

In this latest installment of his popular weekly series, Christopher Long finds himself dumpster diving at a groovy music joint in Oklahoma City, where he scores a bagful of treasure for UNDER $20 — including a well-cared-for $3 vinyl copy of Life for the Taking, the platinum-selling 1978 sophomore set from Eddie Money.

Incubus

Incubus

Screen Reviews

Both bold experiment and colossal failure in the 1960s, Esperanto language art house horror film Incubus returns with pre-_Star Trek_ William Shatner to claim a perhaps more serious audience.