‘BIG’ the Musical will be featured at the Alhambra in JAX

“Be careful what you wish for” may very well be the message of The Alhambra's next show, “Big...the Musical,” opening March 27 at the iconic Jacksonville theater.  The show is based on the 1988 film that starred Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old boy who's wish to ‘ZOLTAR’ came true, waking up the next day as an adult.  Josh quickly realized that being an adult is not all it's cracked up to be.

For some attendees, the show may be that cautionary tale about being careful of what you wish for.  For others, it's a sentimental story about innocence lost.  For others it's an unsolved crime story.  And still for others it is all about Zoltar and the magic bestowed by this mystical arcade attraction.  “For me, I see all of that.  In its own innocent way, the show illustrates almost the same themes as our current production, Mid-Life The Crisis Musical, except in a child's view of the adult world.  BIG paints a caricature of adulthood that adults know too well - politics of business life, complexities of relationships, climbing the corporate ladder.  As with a lot of theatrical productions, there is a lesson here.  Maybe it is exactly the right lesson for today's world,” said Alhambra owner Craig Smith.

Craig continued, “For better or for worse, adulthood catches up with all of us.  In today's hyper-competitive world where you're supposed to know your college major at 14 and be a CEO at 22, maybe BIG just helps us look at things in the perspective that says, ‘why rush it?’  Being a kid is fun.  It's supposed to be.  Let's remind our kids not to get too BIG too fast.”

The pre-Broadway tryout of BIG started in Detroit in January 1996.  The musical opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre on April 28, 1996, and was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Actress, Supporting Actor, Book, Score, and Choreography.  The show had a US National tour, directed by Eric D. Schaeffer starring Jim Newman and Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, which began in September 1997 in Wilmington, DE.  The show made its UK and Ireland premiere prior to the West End at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in November 2016.

The menu also plays a BIG role in the show with, Executive Chef DeJuan Roy creating a wishful menu for this magical new show features:
*First Course (choice of one) Potato & Bacon Chowder or Spring Salad with spring greens, corn, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, Thousand Island dressing.
*Second Course (choice of one): Brown Sugar-Crusted Corned Beef with parsley and garlic boiled potatoes, braised cabbage, mustard sauce, or Aunt Mae's Fried Chicken with buttermilk mash potatoes, chicken gravy, creamed peas, or Oven-Seared Red Fish with salsa verde, roasted cauliflower mash, Swiss chard, or a Quinoa Bowl with roasted patty pan squash, golden sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized shallots, red quinoa, Swiss chard.
*The Dessert Course features a choice of Caramel Apple Strudel or Banana Cream Pie.
You don’t want to miss this show suitable for all ages.
  ‟BIG
 The Musical”

DATES: March 27 — April 20, 2019

SHOW TIMES: Evening shows Tuesday through Sunday start at 8 p.m.  Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner is served until 7:30 p.m.  Saturday Matinees begin at 1:15 p.m.  Doors open at 11 a.m. and the brunch served until 12:50 p.m.  Sunday Matinees are at 2 p.m.  Doors open at 12 p.m. and the meal is server until 1:30 p.m.

DRESS: “Gala Night” (Friday March 29, 2019) attire is “Dressy/Formal/Black Tie”.  All other shows could be “Business Casual” or “Sunday Best”.

TICKETS: Prices range from $38 – $66.  Ticket prices include: a plated three-course meal that changes for each show, and is served directly to your table; a Broadway-style performance and complimentary parking.  Tickets may be purchases on line, or by calling (904) 641-1212.
     **Prices do NOT include gratuity, professional photos, or orders from the bar**

LOCATION: Alhambra Theater & Dining
       12000 Beach Blvd.
       Jacksonville, Florida 32246
       (904) 641-1212