“Big-The Musical” is coming to the Church-McKee Arts Center stage at West Virginia University Potomac State College from March 24 through April 2.
The musical adaptation of the 1988 film starring Tom Hanks as twelve-year-old Josh Baskin, will have viewers laughing and tapping their feet in this unforgettable theatrical performance.
Although Josh is in a hurry to grow up, he soon discovers that being big isn’t what he thought it would be. When his wish of being big is granted by Zoltar, a carnival machine, he faces many challenges, especially since he still has the spirit of an adolescent.
Current WVU PSC students, Lexus Middleton, John Hayes, and Lucas Lemonds are in the spring production of “Big-The Musical” along with WVU PSC alumnus, Justice Courrier and members of the community.
Middleton plays the female lead of Susan Lawrence. She has been performing since she was in the sixth grade. Some of her favorite roles include Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Kala in Tarzan, and Red Bird in A Year with Frog and Toad. She is excited to be performing in her fourth show at WVU Potomac State College. Middleton is in her first year as a pre-social work student at the College.
Hayes has dual roles as Derek and the mailroom guy and is excited to be performing in his first musical production. He is an engineering major at the College.
Lemonds serves as Barrett, an ensemble character. He has been performing since middle school. His favorite productions that he has previously performed include Rent, The Addams Family, Godspell, and Mary Poppins-The Ballet. Lemonds has also served as the makeup artist for more than eleven shows. He is the Student Government Association President at WVU Potomac State College.
Courrier plays the role of Paul Seymour. He is a community theatre veteran of ten years, and some of his favorite previously held roles are Chris Keller in All My Sons, Clive in See How They Run, Jean-Michel in Cinderella, Willard in Footloose, Glen Guglia in The Wedding Singer, and Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof. When he is not performing, Courrier is a counselor at Keyser High School. He is thrilled to return to the stage at WVU Potomac State College.
Mike Fratz plays the male lead of Josh Baskin, and he is excited to be part of the show. He has been performing since he was five years old in countless musicals and theatrical productions during the past twenty years. Frantz has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater from Point Park University.
Laura Groves plays the role of Mrs. Baskin. Her favorite previous roles have been Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Sarah McNeill in McNeill’s Rangers. More recently, she has enjoyed stepping back into theatre with her daughter and has worked as musical director for two local productions: Next to Normal and Pippin.
Tom Vogtman serves as George Macmillan and is very pleased to be returning to the stage at WVU Potomac State College where he will be performing alongside his three grandsons. He has been performing for thirty-four years at various local theaters and on The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Some of his favorite past performances include The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz, Scrooge in The Stingiest Man in Town, Dr. Einstein in Arsenic and Old Lace, Barney Cashman in Last of the Red Hot Lovers, and Le Fou in Beauty and the Beast.
Karl Vogtman plays the role of Billy Kopecki. He is in ninth grade at Bishop Walsh School in Cumberland, Md, and has been performing since he was in kindergarten. His favorite past roles include The Mayor in The Wizard of Oz, Billy in The Assassins, Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol, and Young Terk in Tarzan. Outside of performing, Vogtman enjoys lacrosse, soccer, hiking, biking, and beating his brothers at videogames.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/o/potomac-state-college-12911445858) or at the door.