Fort Dodge Senior High is hard at work to present its 92nd annual musical, “Big Fish,” which is based on Daniel Wallace’s 1998 novel “Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions” and the 2003 film “Big Fish.”

“‘Big Fish’ is a story with two major themes,” Director/choreographer Mary Jo Laupp said, “… dealing with one’s own mortality and what exactly makes a good father.”

Set in Alabama, “Big Fish” is a story that revolves around the relationship between Edward Bloom (Collin Ellsbury), a traveling salesman, and his adult son, Will (Kane Freeman). The story actually shifts between the present world and a storybook past.

In the present, Will is faced with the fact that he is about to become a father and he is determined to discover the secrets behind his father’s epic tales. Edward’s failing health leaves Will with little time to get to the bottom of his father’s story. While Edward has spun larger-than-life tales for his family, Edward is afraid that he hasn’t left enough of a positive mark on the world and that his was a small, easily forgotten life.

In the storybook past, Edward starts out as a teenager and encounters a Witch (Alaine Porter), a Giant (Joey Kelley), a Mermaid (Desiree Pineda), and the love of his life Sandra (Olyvia Selby).

As moments from Will’s childhood and the present are woven together, Edward and Will seek to find common ground. The past and present stories converge as Will discovers a secret his father never revealed.

Curtain Thursday and Friday is at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Fort Dodge Middle School auditorium. Tickets are on sale now at www.showtix4u.com and can also be purchased at the door. Tickets are $8 for students and $12 for adults.

“Big Fish” creative team

Vocal Director & Pit Conductor — Matthew Drees

Theatrical Director & Choreographer — Mary Jo Laupp

Pit Coordinator and rehearsal director — Brian Robison

“I Know What You Want” choreographer — Emily Eastwood

“Red, White, and True” Choreographer — Esther Laupp

“Big Fish” cast

Edward Bloom — Collin Ellsbury

Sandra Bloom — Olyvia Selby

Will Bloom — Kane Freeman

Josephine Bloom — Keziah Henkelman

Amos Calloway — Jamie Lennon*

Karl (The Giant) — Joey Kelley*

The Witch — Alaina Porter*

Don Price — Josh Meier*

Zacky Price — Bo Tracy*

Jenny Hill — Annie Niemeyer*

Dr. Bennett/Judge — Nathan Hayes*

Young Will — Reggie Pederson (elementary student)

Will’s son — Corban McHone (elementary student)

*also in some chorus scenes

Cheerleaders (modern)

Emily Asay, Claire Asay, Grace Champagne, Riley Reed

Cheerleaders (past)

MacKenzie Sharpe, Gracie Miller, Grace Stackhouse, Cayci Bidleman

Other witches

Kylie Reed, Dallas Richardson, Olivia Ferris, Hope Anderson, Marissa Smith, Ellie Yoder, Haddie Fritz, Abby Adams, Macy Peterson, Matthew Anderson, Grant Harrison, Joey Kelley, Cole Hamlow, Jonathon Madden

“Little Lamb” dancers

Malaney Butrick, Haddie Fritz, Kylie Reed, Marissa Smith, Victoria Pavik, Macey Peterson

Other parts:

Mermaid — Desiree Pineda

Mayor of Ashton — Cole Hamlow

Fisherman — Sawyer Springer

School Teacher — Grace Champagne

Sharecropper — Alex Dohrn

Shotgun Toter — Matthew Anderson

Barber — Reagan Black

Little Girl — Riley Reed

Shepherd — Emily Asay

Red Fang — Chris Hatton

General Patterson — Dalton Summers

Chorus:

Abby Adams, Gracie Miller, Matthew Anderson, Hope Anderson, Macey Peterson, Alex Dohrn, Emily Asay, Desiree Pineda, *Cole Hamlow, Claire Asay, Kylie Portz, Grant Harrison, Cayci Bidleman, Kylie Reed, Chris Hatton, Reagan Black, Riley Reed, Jonathon Madden, Malaney Butrick, Dallas Richardson, Dennis Morgan, Grace Champagne, MacKenzie Sharpe, Sawyer Springer, Kathryn Cochrane, *Marissa Smith, Dalton Summers, Olivia Ferris, Grace Stackhouse, Elora Fierke, Haddie Fritz, Maddy Vinchattle, Hannah Gebers, Ellie Yoder, Chloe Hamlow, Victoria Pavik, Serena Leith

*denotes Dance Captain