I wish Broadway would realize that not all movies are meant to be musicals.

I saw it last evening and would agree with this review. Why does this theater feel the need to use every prop they can, have the actors constantly moving instead of acting and the choreography is the same in every show? Get a new choreographer PLEASE!!! The actors in some scenes were so out of breath they couldn't sing. Jim Dale who played McMillian couldn't remember his lines in numerous scenes. Just let the actors act and sing. You don't always have to have all the bells and whistles..it is starting to get embarrassing. I will not be returning for awhile. All the shows have turned into specticles.

I saw BIG on Broadway in 1996 and have since seen it twice in smaller productions. Despite what has been written by critics elsewhere, the drastic changes to the book and score for the first national tour and all subsequent productions failed to improve upon the material. Frankly, I'm not sure if any amount of tinkering could do the film justice.

There are several moments of real charm in the movie that are not equaled onstage. I think the major reason for that is the difference in the medium itself. When Tom Hanks jumped on a trampoline and danced on a big keyboard, it was unexpected and boyish. When his character does the same thing in a musical, it's a predictable bit of choreography.

Adding more action only makes things more frenetic, which is too bad because BIG is a musical you really want to like.

Someday the people of Utah might wake-up and realize that HCT is not capable of putting on a good show. There is too much politcal nonsense that goes on there, all the good actors stay away...

If the people of Utah didn't like the productions put on at HCT, then why is it the highest attended arts organization in Utah, with close to 20,000 season ticket holders? It sounds like Hero of Canton is a disgruntled actor who probably wasn't cast in a show at HCT. As for their production of "Big-The Musical", I saw it opening night and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a great deal of spectacle in many of their productions, because that is what customers ask for and expect; the excitement of the moving stage and to see what else they will come up with. With such an intimate setting all props need to be realistic and convey the meaning of the scene. Also, is it too much to ask for a review where the production is judged for what it is and not what it isn't? Don't compare the stage version to the movie, there is no true comparison. Just because a composer wrote something else, the two shows have no right to be compared in a review. Please stick with the one production at hand.

I agree with TheaterBuff - please review what the show is, not what it isn't. And doesn't the Deseret News have someone edit the column before it goes out?? There are several sloppy errors in this review.

The funny thing about those sloppy errors is that the editors made them!!! C'mon guys! Do your jobs better!!

If all of you even knew how much work was put into this show you would not be so harsh on this play! And if it is so bad then how come every time someone comes out of that theatre there is a smile on their face! Like in this show the theme is to not get so uptight when you become an adult thats what all of you are doing! You dont see the magic of the theatre and you compare this musical to a film which is wrong!

We went to BIG the same night as the reviewer and we really enjoyed it. I admit the music isn't my favorite, but the acting brought it to life. I thought the casting was perfect. I also enjoyed the staging and props. The teens dancing was really fun to watch and full of energy. I can't speak for the Friday night show (didn't see it) but the Thursday show was great.

OK, fair enough, here's a review that doesn't compare the musical to its big screen counterpart. BIG fails to land emotionally because it is plodding and pedestrian. The score never ignites, despite having several enormous opportunities to do so.

For example, "Fun" should be among the great showstoppers in Broadway history. Two grown men jump on an oversized keyboard and proclaim what life ought to be. It should be magical and transcendent, but it's neither. It's predictable and cloying. It's more Toys R Us jingle than anthem about staying young. And that's just one example in a show full of such unfulfilled promise.

That's not to say the show isn't rather enjoyable. It's just not great. As I mentioned above, I first saw the show on Broadway in 1996. I liked it. It made me smile. I bought the CD and sang along for months. I was only 17, however, and hadn't yet grown "big." With even 12 years more life under my belt now I see productions of the show and think, wow, that could have been a thrill ride of a show, and instead it feels like a mini coaster in kiddieland.

"It sounds like Hero of Canton is a disgruntled actor who probably wasn't cast in a show at HCT. "

That's the typical defensive comment anytime HCT is criticized. Fact is that it is just a step above community theatre: sometimes entertaining, sometimes not-so-much but it's generally not great theatre.

For the price, its not a bad deal. but I am definitely NOT an actor who wasn't cast, and just don't think HCT is that good. I totally agree with the criticisms that the bells and whistles seem like camouflage for amateur performances.

They should tone down the tricks and focus on the actor's presentation.

I've seen many shows at HCT that made me laugh and made me cry. I don't care if they aren't sophisticated enough for some of you. If you don't like it don't go! I always enjoy myself at HCT and have been touched by some wonderful acting and singing. It's a great night out!

I agree that David Glaittli (McMillan) was a standout in this cast! He was the best part of the entire show.

Like shelby said you all are looking at this show as a disgruntled adult. you need to look at it as if you were a kid and see the magic and remember what that was like! So all the critics out there don't have to come see the show because your just a little too uptight to understand !!!!

I read the review hours before I saw the show. I liked it, but it fell short of being great. (and no, I never auditioned at HCT so I'm not disgruntled.) I'm sure that these guys put in much work, but the point is in many ways the show didn't work, due in some ways to the material others to the actors. They seem to cast people who are friends and been there before instead of newcomers who could be good for the part. When I go there, there is almost always someone cast as a lead that I wonder why they were cast. If you like spectacle, go see this show because there is a lot of it, but if you want great acting a music, stay home.

"you need to look at it as if you were a kid and see the magic..."

to Big cast member: i haven't seen the production, so can't comment too much on it. i've been in several productions at Hale, and have seen several others, and just want to say that while it is true that this peice is probably more special in the eyes of children, in order for it to be good theatre it must also appeal to the adults that bring them. otherwise it wont work. that's all.

I'm an adult. I saw it and I liked it. It worked for me!

Hale Centre provides a place like no other for COMMUNITY actors. It is the best community theatre in the region, however it is only that. I have never enjoyed a show there like a national touring show or when I have seen professional theatre in other cities. Hale just can't compare. The best thing Hale could do is to take the step forward and start becoming professional to match the building, budget and not give the audiences the idea that every other community theatre can have what they have. On a positive ending, better to have Hale, than not at all. At least it creates the idea of how a community can rally around a small theatre and turn it into something with great potential.