‘Big Fish’ Sets Chicago Oriental Theatre Opening for April 21

It was announced a couple months ago that the new musical adaptation of “Big Fish” would premiere at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre, and now the creative team and some casting has been announced, including news that two-time Tony Award-winner Norbert Leo Butz will star.

Tony Award-nominee Andrew Lippa wrote the songs for the production, and John August wrote the book, which is inspired by the novel and film of the same name. Five-time Tony-winner Susan Stroman will direct and choreograph. Stroman is known for her work in “The Producers,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Crazy for You” and “Contact.”

Chicago previews will begin April 2, 2013, with an official opening scheduled for April 21. No Broadway dates have yet been set. The production is produced by Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen and Stage Entertainment with Roy Furman, The Nederlander Organization, John Domo and Broadway Across America.

Additional creative team members include scenic designer Julian Crouch, costume designer William Ivey Long, lighting designer Donald Holder, sound designer Jon Weston and projection designer Benjamin Pearcy.

Here’s how producers describe the show:

A rollicking fantasy set in the American South, “Big Fish” centers on the charismatic Edward Bloom [played by Butz], whose impossible stories of his epic adventures frustrate his son Will. As Edward’s final chapter approaches, Will embarks on his own journey to find out who his father really is, revealing the man behind the myth, the truth from the tall tales. Overflowing with heart, humor and inventive stagecraft, Big Fish is an inspirational tribute to the power of family, dreaming big and the unpredictable adventure of life itself.

The film version of “Big Fish” was released in 2003 and directed by Tim Burton. The film starred Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Jessica Lange, Billy Crudup and Helena Bonham Carter. The novel, “Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions” was written by Daniel Wallace and published in 1998.