If you think this is a resurrection of the perhaps too "Big" musical that failed on Broadway in 1996, you're in for a pleasant surprise. You'll find this a satisfactorily simplified theatrical version of the movie that should bring out the fun-loving child in you.
What's to like? There are Josh going-on-13-and-then-some -- the crux of the story -- and his true buddy Billy (the winning team of Leo Chappell and Alex Vercheski, anything but irksome "stage kids"). Roy Johns makes a really eerie Carnival machine wish-giver Zoltan. So it's grand that he lets Josh become Larry Raben's lovable, fun-loving, BIG version of himself and ultimately, a nice new teen. You can appreciate that Raben and Melissa Minyard, the unlucky-in-love businesswoman Susan who falls for big Josh, have come from recent Broadway engagements. That's how professional are their portrayals and singing.
Remember Tom Hanks as Josh dancing "Heart and Soul" and chopsticks in the movie on a giant keyboard at F.A.O. Schwarz? Well, the scene's charmingly matched by Raben, joined by sharp B G Fitzgerald as owner of MacMillan Toys. They'll do it right down center stage for you! Lighting up the giant keys as they go, too.
A big supporting cast doubling many roles handle mostly light or comic pieces like "Carnival" and "MacMillan Toys." The satiric stand-out is "The Real Thing" that has Johns, David Haverty, Lisa Rock and Lisa Katt Watson as Susan's sophisticated friends, doubting Susan will fare better with Josh than with previous romantic partners. (Certainly, though, you'll be happy to see her leave fellow company officer Paul, the stuffy, envious M.B.A. played by Stephen Flaa.) You can't help but smile at the kids' numbers, especially between Young Josh and Billy or big Josh.
Among the serious songs, Catherine Randazzo, as Josh's mother, vocalizes "Stop, Time" with clarity and heartfelt emotion. Rabin and Minyard, who teamed up nicely earlier in "Stars, Stars, Stars," close well with the poignant "We're Gonna Be Fine." The Apple's musicians accompany with full but not overwhelming sound, a plus in these times of frequent over-miking.
Sets are cartoon-colorful. Costumes appropriately fit their wearers in such different locales as Josh's house, the Carnival, the toy store, the office, apartments. Director Robert Ennis Turoff perceptively orders all elements to give you -- and families of all ages -- a BIG fun time.
