Reel Life Fantasy

You think your dad has outrageous stories?

According to Edward Bloom, the years before he became a salesman were filled with heroism, giants, witches, mermaids and indentured servitude in the name of love.

In Big Fish, now playing at Actors Cabaret of Eugene, Edward’s son Will listens to his father’s stories with a critical ear. He tries to believe, but it is the whopper about how Dad saved a U.S. Army general from a blow dart in the middle of a USO musical review — thus turning the tide of the war — that sends Will over the edge. When he can no longer believe his father, he is ultimately unable to respect him.

Will, a reporter, spends his days searching for the truth. In the last months of his father’s life, Will turns his investigative skills on his family, convinced he will never know dad until he finds out exactly which stories are true and which are bunk.

Based on the 2003 Tim Burton film, which was based on the 1998 novel by Daniel Wallace, Big Fish loses something in the process of so many translations. The first act of this stage version is tough, with too much focus on extravagant song-and-dance numbers and not enough attention to plot.

It is only in the second act, when a satisfying conflict is introduced, that the complexities of the situation come into focus. Like a song shifting into the correct key, ACE’s production suddenly finds some harmony.

There is a lot to like in watching these wild stories come to life in director Joe Zingo’s hands. ACE goes all-out in casting and costuming. Michael Watkins gives a moving performance as Edward, and Anthony Krall ably plays Will. Cody Mendonca enacts Edward’s memories of his youth with comic book heroism. Alexis Myles, Johnathan Strand and Larry Brown elevate minor parts with clever characterization. Kim Fairbairn is lovely as Sandra.

Big Fish requires of its audience an extreme suspension of disbelief. Like an expert fisherman, keep your patience through the first act and watch as ACE wades deep into this father-son story, eventually hooking something worth bragging about.

Big Fish runs through Aug. 8 Actors Cabaret of Eugene; $16-$27, tickets at actorscabaret.org.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!