Big (musical)

Big The Musical is a 1996 musical adaptation of the 1988 film starring Tom Hanks. It was directed by Mike Ockrent and featured music by David Shire and lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr., with choreography by Susan Stroman. It involves Josh Baskin, a 12 year old boy who grows up overnight after being granted a wish by a Zoltar Speaks machine at a carnival. With the aid of his best friend, Billy, he must cope with his new adulthood while finding the machine so that he can wish himself back and more.

The pre Broadway tryout started in Detroit in January 1996. The musical opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre on April 28, 1996, and closed on October 13, 1996, after 193 performances. Although it was nominated for five Tony Awards (Best Actress, Supporting Actor, Book, Score, and Choreography), it was one of Broadway's costliest money losers. The show had a US National tour, directed by Eric D. Schaeffer starring Jim Newman and Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, which began in September 1997 in Wilmington, DE. It was "restaged and largely rewritten for the road". Reviews were sharply divided on the musical, but not on the 1998 US National tour, which was a hit after much rewriting from authors, John Weidman (book), Richard Maltby, Jr. (lyrics), and David Shire (music). Alvin Klein, in his The New York Times review of a 2000 regional production of it, wrote, "Big cannot be cavalierly dismissed as a failed musical that was no match for a blockbuster movie. It is satisfyingly good and it was shortchanged." The revised version is available through Music Theatre International. The show made its UK and Ireland premiere prior to the West End at the Theatre Royal Plymouth from 5 to 12 November 2016 and at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin over the Christmas period from 7 December 2016 to 7 January 2017. Strictly Come Dancing winner and The Wanted vocalist Jay McGuiness stars as Josh. The production transferred to London's West End at the Dominion Theatre from 6 September to 2 November 2019 with McGuiness reprising the role of Josh.

Character Original Broadway cast (1996) National Tour (1997) Original UK and Ireland cast (2016)Original London cast (2019)Josh BaskinDaniel H. JenkinsJim NewmanJay McGuinessSusanCrista MooreJacquelyn Piro DonovanDiana VickersKimberley WalshBillyBrett TabiselCharlie Barnard, Keir Edkins O'Brien, Cameron TweedJobe Hart, Theo Wilkinson, Austen PhelanCynthia BensonLizzy MackDemaree AlexanderChristie Lee CrossonMrs. BaskinBarbara WalshJudy McLaneJessica MartinWendi PetersMr. BaskinJohn SlomanDale HensleyAndy BarkeStuart HickeyYoung Josh BaskinPatrick LevisJoseph MedeirosMax Robson, Jacob Smith, Ryan TrevattHarrison Dadswell, Jamie O'Connor, Jake Simon, Felix WarrenMacMillanJon CypherRon HolgateGary WilmotMatthew KellyPaulGene WeygandtNick CokasIrwin SparkesEdward Handoll

Year Award ceremony Category Nominee Result 1996 Tony Award Best Book of a Musical John Weidman Best Original Score Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Crista Moore Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Brett Tabisel Best Choreography Susan Stroman Drama Desk Award Outstanding Musical Outstanding Book of a Musical John Weidman Outstanding Actor in a Musical Daniel Jenkins Outstanding Actress in a Musical Crista Moore Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Brett Tabisel Outstanding Music David Shire Outstanding Lyrics Richard Maltby, Jr. Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding New Broadway Musical Theatre World Award Brett Tabisel