Orginially published on Echo Press - January 27th, 2024
ALEXANDRIA — Adapted from the 1988 film starring Tom Hanks, “Big: The Musical” is set to hit the stage at the Andria Theatre. Opening night is Thursday, Feb. 1.
According to the director, Donna Magnuson, this theatrical journey celebrates the magic of childhood, the adventure of growing up and the enduring power of imagination.
At the heart of “Big: The Musical” is the enchanting tale of Josh Baskin, a young boy who, overnight, magically finds himself in the body of an adult.
The challenges and adventures that follow prompt people to reflect on the desire to escape the constraints of adulthood and recapture the innocence of youth, said Magnuson.
“This talented cast has embraced the magic of transformation, bringing to life the humor, curiosity and sheer delight that come with rediscovering the world through the eyes of a child,” she said in her director’s notes in the show’s program. “I extend my deepest gratitude to the incredibly talented cast and crew who have poured their passion and dedication into bringing “Big: The Musical” to life. Their
commitment to storytelling, coupled with their boundless creativity, has brought this production to new heights.”
Mother-daughter duo perform for the first time at the Andria
Laurie Anne Runge and her daughter, Elisa Mae Runge, who moved to Alexandria about a year and a half ago, are hitting the Andria Theatre stage together for the first time. Both have been in shows before, but not together.
Elisa Mae said, “I loved my theater experience here this summer and I wanted to do more shows and I wanted to drag her with me.”
She added that the pair like to perform together as they both sing in the choir at their church. Plus, Elise Mae said, performing together, singing and dancing, has been a dream of her mom’s.
“I really wanted to share this experience with my mom because I felt like it would be really good for both of us,” said the 14-year-old eighth-grader who attends online school through the Minnesota Virtual Academy. “And I wanted people to see her talents.”
This is the third time Elisa Mae has been on the Andria Stage, but her mom said she basically has been performing since she was 3 years old. She has performed in Wadena, where they used to live, as well as in Morris.
Laurie Anne and her late husband performed a few times together, she said. She was also in “Songs from the Tall Grass” and “Oklahoma.”
When Elisa Mae brought the idea of the two of them trying out for “Big: The Musical,” Laurie Anne said her first thoughts were, “How much time will it take and can I remember and memorize my lines?”
She also thought if she got a small part, it would be OK and she would be able to do it.
Laurie Anne will be playing the part of Miss Watson, who she said is a prim and proper secretary who wants to do all the right things. Being a Type-A person, Laurie Anne said it was a good part for her because she is the same way.
Her character, she said, also wants to keep everything running smoothly.
Elisa Mae said she is in the ensemble.
The mother-daughter duo said they watched the movie, “Big,” a couple of months ago to help them prepare for their roles.
And although their parts in the play don’t really cross much, Elisa Mae said it has been wonderful having her mom be a part of the show with her. Laurie Anne feels the same way and likes when her daughter needs some support via a hug backstage.
As for why people should come see the performance, they said there is a lot of talented people in the production and they feel the show will take people back to their childhoods.
From Indiana to New York to Minnesota
Brooklynn Bruner stars as Susan Lawrence. She said her character starts off to be a very high-powered executive who only thinks about work. Having a relationship is the last thing on Susan’s mind, Bruner said.
However, as the show goes on, the audience will see a progression in her, especially after she meets Josh Baskin as an adult.
“It’s hopefully going to be a really nice transition between this very stern person to this person who has a childlike sweetness to her,” she said.
Bruner, who is originally from southern Indiana, has only lived in Minnesota for a little bit. She was living and working as an actress in New York, but moved to Long Prairie.
“I kind of wanted a fresh start,” she said. “COVID kind of killed the industry for a year or so in New York and everything was shut down. I got an agent right out of college, but then everything hit the fan. I decided to take a mental health break and move to central Minnesota.”
Although she doesn’t have family living in the area, Bruner said a couple of her friends moved here after high school so she does have some connections.
She found the Andria Theatre by Googling places to do shows, she said. So far, she has been in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Play that Goes Wrong.” This is her third production at this theatre.
The move to Minnesota came for her desire to have a sense of community.
“It all ties into my mental health journey and getting back to being around people for the sake of being around people and people doing something that they all collectively love doing,” said Bruner. “I’ve found a lot of people I like here (at the Andria Theatre). They are a good family so far.”
Bruner wants people to see the show because the cast has put so much work into it.
“Patrick being our Josh is just perfect. He’s incredible,” she said. “And getting to work with all these people is so fun. It is a lively show and just the perfect family show. And to get everybody out of their house, especially in the winter, is perfect.”
Cast of Big: The Musical
Abby Faber – Abigail
Brady Haabala – Billy Kopecki
Brian Fleming – Mr. Kopecki
Brianna Varnum – Mrs. Baskin
Brooklynn Bruner – Susan Lawerence
Dina Shea – Mrs. Kopecki
Eian Bienias – Derek
Jeremy Popp – Nick
Jordan Van Scoik – Zoltar
Kami Schefers – Tami
Laurie Anne Runge – Miss Watson
Lucien Cravens – George MacMillian
Lucy Gustafson – Cynthia Benson
Luke Hodges – Young Josh Baskin
Olivia Maday – Diane
Patrick Sieve – Josh Baskin
Samuel Paradee – Paul Seymour
Ensemble – Ronni Grey Popp, Nick Zabroski, Lucy Bertram, Jonas Larson, Jonah Monette, Isabella Wilson, Finley Paulsen, Elisa Mae Runge and Brayden Zollner
Crew of Big: The Musical
Director – Donna Magnuson
Assistant director – Kathryn Tomoson
Music director – Ruth Blom
Choreographer – Nicole Warner
Light design/tech – Maryn Cabinaw
Set design/construction – Greg Bohl
Sound design – Greg Raether
Costume design/construction – Tami Johnson
Hair/makeup – Stacy Denny
Props – Hilary Ninman
Stage manager – Ailee Vaelazquez
Stage manager assistant – Madelyn Faber
Projections – Holly Wallerich
Video producer – Noah Larson
Tickets to the Andria Theatre
WHAT: “Big: The Musical”
WHEN: Feb. 1 through Feb. 3 and Feb. 8 through Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 4 and Feb. 11 at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Andria Theatre, 618 Broadway St., Alexandria
TICKETS: Go to www.andriatheatre.org or call the box office at 320-762-8300.
To learn more about Minnesota Virtual Academy (MNVA), please visit https://mnva.k12.com.