Auditions for “Big Fish,” Hamilton-Gibson’s 2026 summer musical, will be held this month. Performances are scheduled for July 9, 10, 11, and 12 and those who audition need to be available for all performance dates. The musical will be directed by Thomas Putnam, HG’s artistic director.

Step into a world of imagination, adventure, and unforgettable storytelling in “Big Fish,” the musical, based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and film adaptation by John August. Follow Will Bloom’s efforts to separate fact from myth in his dying father’s stories. Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the motion picture by John August, “Big Fish” has music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. Like many musicals, this is a love story. But here the story is about the love between a father and son.

The story blends magical realism with touching family drama. It centers on the father, Edward Bloom, a charismatic traveling salesman who tells impossible stories about his life, featuring witches, giants, and mermaids. Edward’s son, Will, has grown up hearing these stories. Now that he’s expecting a child of his own and his father is ill, he searches for a way to separate fact from fiction and truly know his father. The narrative alternates between two timelines: the past depicted in Edward’s stories and the present day.

“The role of Edward Bloom and his relationship with his son is the core of the play. The role is large with lots of singing, some dancing, and lots of storytelling,” said Putnam. “There are other choice roles: his son, his wife and daughter-in-law, the giant, the circus ringmaster, his first girlfriend. There are other much smaller roles and a vibrant chorus playing a number of different roles.”

He emphasized that, “Auditions can be fun. I’m guessing that if you’re interested in a musical, you must love singing. Approach the audition as simply a time to sing together with friends. We’ll post a few songs you can play around with, or you can sing something simple like ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Jingle Bells.’”

Be on time for the auditions so you can get in on all the preliminary discussion and warm-up exercises. You’ll read a bit of the script if you’re interested in a speaking role. Everyone will sing, first together and then individually. There really is only one role for a child—Will as a boy—but a very small number of children may be considered for the chorus. (Casting decisions about children include not only singing ability, but also behavioral maturity, ability to inhabit a role, age, and availability.) 

Auditions will be held at 6:30pm April 22 and 23, and 10:30am April 25 at the Warehouse Theatre, 3 Central Ave., Wellsboro. If you cannot make any of those times, email thomas@hamiltongibson.org or call 570-724-2079. Find out more about roles at hamiltongibson.org/audition.