“Big: The Musical” is currently playing at Alhambra Theatre & Dining and manages to hit all the highlight notes of the 1980s hit movie with Tom Hanks.
The play follows the story of Josh Baskin, an almost 13-year-old boy who longs to be “big” after dealing with the daunting challenges of childhood, such as having to take out the trash, trying to talk to girls and being too small to ride a roller coaster at the local carnival. Disappointed and alone at the carnival, Josh stumbles upon a spooky Zoltar machine, which, for 25 cents, offers to grant Josh a wish.
The next morning, Josh wakes up in an adult body and is forced to run away from home after his mother, played by Katie Nettle, naturally refuses to believe the man in her kitchen is her 12-year-old son and calls the police.
Josh manages to convince his best friend Billy that he really is a middle-schooler trapped in an adult body and is forced to find a way to survive for a few weeks until Billy can track down the Zoltar machine. With Josh’s youthful exuberance, and particular knowledge of toys, he lands a job at MacMillan Toys, along with a company apartment.
The musical numbers work very well with the story, and there are a lot of fun, witty numbers such as "You’re a Big Boy Now" and "My Secretary is in Love."
Josh, played by Ari Walz as a child, is played excellently by Rodney Holmes as the grown-up version, although, even as an adult, Josh still looks like he’d be quickly carded ordering a cocktail. But Holmes does a great job portraying Josh’s youthful mannerisms and wide-eyed innocence, especially when it comes to his early interactions with flirty office colleague Susan, played by Heather Kopp. Some of the best musical scenes ae between Josh and Susan, particularly when a coy Susan and confused Josh perform "Let's Not Move Too Fast," after a first date, and when the pair perform "Stars," after Josh introduces Susan to a world of make-believe in his apartment. Kopp does a great job making Susan appear tough and vulnerable, and her singing voice is beautiful.
Another fun aspect of the musical was the decision to stick to the 80s theme, from the wardrobe and hair, to the types of toys popular at the time. It definitely inspires a sense of nostalgia.
The musical version also maintains some of the best scenes from the Tom Hanks-starring original, including when Josh and MacMillan perform "Chopsticks" on the giant floor piano and Josh’s reaction to trying caviar for the first (and second) time.
Perhaps the biggest scene stealer of the play is JonAshton Reid, who plays Josh’s wisecracking best friend Billy, and delivers his lines with complete authenticity.
Alhambra's performance, produced and directed by Tod Booth, makes the most of its strong cast and multiple scene changes, and maintains the fun and heart of the original movie. After watching the performance, you may want to dig up the 1988 film and watch it again. Or you may just want to go outside and play.
“Big: The Musical” runs through May 5, followed by “Ain’t Misbehavin,’” which runs from May 8 to June 9. For more on Alhambra, go to www.alhambrajax.com.
