PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Big Fish With Singer-Dancer-Puppeteer Leah HofmannLeah Hofmann — who last year took us behind the scenes and inside the puppets at Lincoln Center's War Horse — is back on Broadway lending her song, dance and puppetry skills to the new musical Big Fish. The versatile performer and Etch-A-Sketch art virtuoso shares a recent two-show day at the theatre.
By
Matthew Blank
October 25, 2013
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PHOTO RECAP: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Big Fish With Singer-Dancer-Puppeteer Leah Hofmann
PHOTO RECAP: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Big Fish With Singer-Dancer-Puppeteer Leah Hofmann
Big Fish officially opened on Broadway one year ago today. We look back at a two-show day as documented by Leah Hofmann, who lent her song, dance and puppetry skills to the new musical.
74 PHOTOS
Good Morning, Playbill.com! After sharing my backstage shenanigans at War Horse, I’m honored to take ya’ll on a Two-Show Day Journey with my fellow company of the new Broadway show Big Fish!
Leah Hofmann
Another Op’nin’, Another Show... with animal puppets! No matter the show, I enjoy honing my puppetry skills in the morning. I’ve made my own replica of our Big Fish mermaid tail with fabric courtesy of Will Pike, our talented puppet designer.
Leah Hofmann
I make my routine visit to the neighborhood Savoy Bakery here in SpaHa (aka Spanish Harlem). My cool baristas show off the newest addition to their art collection... Rose, the Pit Bull Puppy!
Leah Hofmann
I take the long way with my iced coffee to the 2/3 Subway through the least populated portion of Central Park.... ahhhh, the Upper Upper East Side.
Leah Hofmann
Subway took a bit longer than expected, so I gotta run now into ballet class at Alvin Ailey! Plies start in 5 minutes!
There’s nothing like the educational/entertaining ballet class of Kat Wildish. Who doesn’t enjoy a morning adagio inspired by Christopher Columbus, the waterfalls of Australia, or last night’s mixed drink?
Leah Hofmann
For a pre-show snack, I make my way to the oh-so-popular-and-healthy-Westerly Market... kombucha, anyone?
Leah Hofmann
Well, well, well. It’s our first Big Fish-er sighting of the day. It’s Ron, one of our trusty stagehands, who introduces me to my first wheatgrass shot. Feeling green and ready to go!
Leah Hofmann
I have a few minutes to relax, so I sit at World Wide Plaza in midtown and work on my Etch-A-Sketch Art (SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT!! Follow me @elleetchysketchyart on Instagram)
Leah Hofmann
I’ve been working on my mustache collection. CHALLENGE: Can you match each mustache to one of the following actors in Big Fish: Cary Tedder, Alex Brightman, Ryan Andes and Tally Sessions (answers on last slide)
Leah Hofmann
And my final stop before the stage door is the corner Duane Reade. The day calls for a diet bev with beautiful friend and Broadway Royalty Angie Schworer!!
Leah Hofmann
The Neil Simon Theater: I can’t believe I work here as a Stro Girl! (a female ensemble member who performs in a show directed/choreographed by the theatrical genius Susan Stroman, aka a Tall-Gal’s-Dream-Come-True.)
Leah Hofmann
Some people are so fabulous, they have to sign autographs prior to the show. Ladies and Gentlemen... I give you Zachary Unger.
Leah Hofmann
Looks like we have a busy Two-Show Day: Pizza party and Equity Flu Shots between shows! Best incentive ever to get your vaccination!
Leah Hofmann
Gooooood Afternooooon. Jeanie along with our stage door staff has transformed the elevator into a replica of the Walt Disney World Haunted Mansion.
Leah Hofmann
I’m constantly amazed by this multi-talented cast: here is Jason Lee Garrett rolling out his IT band AND learning music from a recording on his IPhone. Brilliant.
Leah Hofmann
The dressing room with my fellow Stro Girls.
Leah Hofmann
Never mind the cast, look at our multi-talented dressers: Tracey is a player of the ukulele, Sam, a coloring artist, and Maggie is the Mom-of-the-Year to baby Hazel.
Leah Hofmann
Introducing, the Beauty Band (also known as a glorified ACE bandaged used by ladies in theater who have short hair). Hi, Angie.
Leah Hofmann
ANOTHER SHAMELESS PLUG!!! My hairdresser Danny Koye offers a brilliant hair care line, DKoye. You’re welcome, Danny:)
Leah Hofmann
Here at Big Fish, there is always an elephant in the room. Actually, there are three. And We Three Puppeteers, Tally Sessions, myself and Lara Seibert, take our roles of pachyderms very seriously.
Leah Hofmann
“Because I’m good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darn it, circus people like me.”-- Brad Oscar, preparing for the role of Amos Calloway.
Leah Hofmann
It's Places, and time for the official ceremony called the “Donning of the Mermaid Tail.” Quite scientific... I won’t bore you all with the elaborate details.
Leah Hofmann
“Angie, do you see a Marc Jacobs bag in my future??” “Well, at least I see a trip to Loehmann’s.”
Leah Hofmann
Taking a giant water break with the Giant, Ryan Andes.
Leah Hofmann
Citizens of Ashton Yearbook: (clockwise from top left): Hashbrown Montgomery, Betty Davis Crocker, Don Price and Corna DeKobb.
Leah Hofmann
Still working backstage on my crocheted checkerboard blanket from War Horse… no one can say I'm not thorough.
Leah Hofmann
Josh Halperin’s stage manager console looks comparable to the Russian space station in the movie "Gravity." At least Sandra Bullock had the owner’s manual... Good luck, Josh!! We have faith in you to run this ship!
Leah Hofmann
After appearing as the Witch, Ciara Renee is truly committed to her role as the Ashton science teacher.
Leah Hofmann
Bree Branker and I dream of winning the Tony Award for Best Performance of Nosey Sorority Girls in a Musical.
Leah Hofmann
It don’t mean a thing, if you ain’t got amazing swings!! Ashley Yeater and Synthia Link display their beauty and versatility.
Leah Hofmann
Just a bit of gardening at intermission....
Leah Hofmann
Cary Tedder, Anthony Pierini and Alex Brightman: these are some of the cutest guys on Broadway... Scout’s Honor!
Leah Hofmann
One of the circus characters cut during our previews: the two-headed-showgirl.
Leah Hofmann
Post-Op surgical team appears oddly familiar to the cheerleaders from Act One. Worrisome? Possibly so...
Leah Hofmann
The matinee crowd has used the facilities and hit the pavement as the Big Fish family gathers in the lower lobby for some between-show fun. Observe the line for flu shots vs the line for pizza. I think one activity is more popular than the other.
Leah Hofmann
Overacting. #FluShot
Leah Hofmann
Perry Cavari, our fantastic drummer, patiently waits for the arrival of Two Boots Pizza. Perry’s the best. He always makes it a point to say hi.
Leah Hofmann
Can’t blame ya, stage manager Jason Brouillard. I saved a third piece for later.
Leah Hofmann
Post-Prandial Brotherly Love: Ben Crawford and Alex, aka the Price Brothers.
Leah Hofmann
Norbert unfortunately wasn’t able to join us between shows, but he was there in spirit... and on the lobby’s video screen.
Leah Hofmann
Too much beautiful talent in one picture. Musical director Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Kate Baldwin.
Leah Hofmann
Sign up now for the fall semester of Cary Tedder’s Gymnastics Class!
Leah Hofmann
Find yourself with an hour to spare, dying to work on your impersonation of Madonna? Head to Duet Karaoke for a fun-filled $4 hour to practice your fierce vocals!
Leah Hofmann
Our dear friend Erin Wegner Brooks from the Young Frankenstein tour joins us for the karaoke fun. If you can’t tell, she’s about to have a little fishy of her own... Baby Clara!
Leah Hofmann
Kirsten Scott and Robin Campbell: Will it be Sarah McLachlan or Cyndi Lauper?
Leah Hofmann
Lauper it is!
Leah Hofmann
Join Sarrah Strimel, Lara and I at the Sephora Nail Bar to mend that shabby manicure! We’re committed to trying all the neutral color polishes by the end of the year.
Leah Hofmann
You know how the saying goes: Balducci macaroons are a girl’s best friend.
Leah Hofmann
Ray proves himself as a suitable bouncer for the Neil Simon: Only women above 5’8” wearing lashes may enter this stage door.
Leah Hofmann
And with just a few moments to spare, my lovely lass Tessa Klein of War Horse fame runs to give me a hug. This marks our second appearance together in Two-Show Day features. Keep ‘em coming!
Leah Hofmann
Anthony earns a few extra bucks making the half hour calls.
Leah Hofmann
Dad’s here! Our wonderful associate choreographer Chris Peterson is always by our side to offer encouragement and a kick-ball-change.
Leah Hofmann
I don’t know if this is the Lambda Chi house or the male swing room, but Josh Buscher and Preston Boyd look like they are enjoying themselves.
Leah Hofmann
Just add a beautiful green scarf, and Voila! A Christmas Carol!
Leah Hofmann
I don’t know what our electrician John Kelly is attempting to fix, but it has an uncanny resemblance to R2D2.
Leah Hofmann
Yogi Strimel meditates gingerly, as not to ruin her freshly-painted manicure.
Leah Hofmann
“I’m ready for my close up, Ms. Stroman...” or at least the opening number.
Leah Hofmann
Two Peas in a Pod: Jason with Bobby Steggert. With 14 costume changes in my own track, this is one of the rare times I get to see the fine Mr. Steggert.
Leah Hofmann
Kirsten is truly a method actress in her role as Jenny Hill, always pining over Edward Bloom.
Leah Hofmann
Dreaming of Cheerleading Nationals.... I promise to remember the words next year, coach!
Leah Hofmann
Years after the unfortunate passing of his wife Flo Naise, Mayor Naise of Ashton is ready to get back on the dating scene. Ladies, how can you resist a former government official who has a flare for climbing statues and chasing giants out of town?
Leah Hofmann
Mark your calendars! Next spring we add the pre-show of Zaximus the Magician and his Amazing Hat Tricks! (Warning: this pre-show is not suitable for bunnies under 8 lbs.)
Leah Hofmann
(No caption necessary).
Leah Hofmann
Ahh, gotta love FaceTime. A quick intermission Hello to boyfriend Isaac Woofter, who is currently on the PR tour for War Horse. Give my fellow horses a Hey and a Neigh for me!
Leah Hofmann
This seems to me like the beginning of a great murder mystery dinner party.
Leah Hofmann
It be “Red, White and TRUE” that these ladies are gorgeous!
Leah Hofmann
Preview of FX’s next season of "American Horror Story: Showdown."
Leah Hofmann
Don’t know if this is a wanted sign, a mug shot or Don Price’s poster for re-election as Mayor of Ashton.
Leah Hofmann
The curtain call applause has finally settled, and here’s fire dancer Bryn Dowling to help us light up the night!
Leah Hofmann
Our Josephine Bloom, Krystal Joy Brown, looks runway-ready as she signs the programs of adoring, teary-eyed fans. They should really sell Big Fish tissues at merchandise.
Leah Hofmann
And even after show, our cast enjoys hanging out with each other for laughs, drinks and triangles of food (as coined by Ms. Schworer). Toloache drinks and guac on 50th street hit the spot!
Leah Hofmann
As I walk away from the Neil Simon, I’m thankful for this company of genuine, highly-devoted and generous artists who have given their hearts and imaginations in creating this beautiful production. Thank you Stro & creatives for bringing us all together!
Leah Hofmann
And THANK YOU Playbill.com for joining me on this Two-Show Day Journey! (And finally, your answers to the mustache challenge on slide 10: clockwise starting top left, Ryan Andes, Alex Brightman, Tally Sessions and Cary Tedder:). 'Til we meet again!
Hofmann's theatre credits include War Horse on Broadway, Young Frankenstein, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Sunset Boulevard, The Producers, Camelot, La Cage aux Folles, 42nd Street, My One and Only and Gypsy. She holds an MPT from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
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The new Broadway musical Big Fish, a father-and-son tale based on the 1998 novel by Daniel Wallace and the subsequent 2003 film by John August, makes a splash at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, where it officially opened Oct. 6, following previews that began Sept. 5. Directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (The Producers, Contact, Show Boat, Crazy for You), the work features music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony nominee Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family) with a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee August. Two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Catch Me If You Can) tells the "big fish stories" in the musical adaptation, in which he stars as Edward Bloom opposite Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin (Finian's Rainbow) as Sandra Bloom and Tony Award nominee Bobby Steggert (Ragtime, Off-Broadway's Giant) as Will Bloom.
Click here for audio tracks from Big Fish that feature Butz and Baldwin.
Also in the cast are Krystal Joy Brown (Leap of Faith, Hair) as Josephine Bloom and Zachary Unger (Chaplin) and Anthony Pierini (Mary Poppins) alternating in the role of Young Will with Ryan Andes (The Red Box at SoHo Rep), Ben Crawford (Shrek, Les Misérables), J. C. Montgomery (The Scottsboro Boys, The Color Purple), Tony Award nominee Brad Oscar (The Producers, Nice Work If You Can Get It), Ciara Renee (Broadway debut) as The Witch, Kirsten Scott (Follies, Hairspray) and Sarrah Strimel (Rock of Ages, Young Frankenstein).
Big Fish, according to press notes, "centers on 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. Big Fish is about dreaming, loving and living bigger."
The world premiere of Big Fish began April 2, prior to an official opening April 19, at Chicago's Oriental Theatre, where it played through May 5.
The new musical has scenic design by Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Julian Crouch, costume design by five-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by two-time Tony Award winner Donald Holder, sound design by Los Angeles Drama Critics Award winner Jon Weston, projection design by Drama Desk Award winner Benjamin Pearcy for 59 Productions, musical direction by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, orchestrations by Larry Hochman and dance arrangements by Sam Davis.
"Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions" was first printed in 1998. In December 2003 an acclaimed film of "Big Fish" was released by Columbia Pictures directed by Tim Burton, starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange and Helena Bonham Carter. The film was nominated for an Academy Award, Grammy Award, four Golden Globe Awards and seven BAFTA Awards.
Big Fish is produced by Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen and Stage Entertainment USA with Roy Furman, Edward Walson, James L. Nederlander, Broadway Across America/Rich Entertainment Group, John Domo, and in association with Parrothead Productions, Lucky Fish, Peter May/Jim Fantaci, Harvey Weinstein/Carole L. Haber, Dancing Elephant Productions, CJ E&M, Ted Liebowitz, Ted Hartley, Clay Floren and Columbia Pictures.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling (866) 870-2717.
The Neil Simon Theatre is located at 250 W. 52nd Street. Visit BigFishTheMusical.com.
