Artes de la Rosa Reels in 11 New Fish in 12 Chairs; Announces Big Fish 12 Chairs Version

Artes de la Rosa is proud to announce principle casting for the Artes de la Rosa production of BIG FISH: 12

Chairs Version receiving its first North Texas staging this March. The cast features 11 Artes de la Rosa stage debuts for this new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture directed by Tim Burton. “This is terribly thrilling for our company to have so many new faces on stage as part of the Artes family,” said Artistic Director Adam Adolfo. He and Kristin Spires, who previously collaborated on the North Texas premiere of In the Heights, as well as productions of Into the Woods and Man of La Mancha reunite as Producer/Director and Musical Director, respectively. Serving as Choreographer is Austin Ray Beck whose work was last seen at the Rose Marine Theatre, Artes de la Rosa’s home, in Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.

Leading the cast is Artes de la Rosa veteran Joshua Sherman in the role of Edward Bloom, a man whose stories spring forth from his imagination and color the lives of his friends and family. You may remember Joshua from his turns on the Rose Marine stage in starring roles in The Fifth Sun (The Colornel), In the Heights (Benny), Into the Woods (The Baker), and Twelfth Night (Sir Toby). Joshua, a former member of The Louis Zapata Resident Acting Company, has been seen throughout North Texas with Casa Manana, Lyric Stage, and Theatre Arlington.

            “The production team and I are so excited to have Joshua back on our stage leading this infectiously joyful score with a cast full of charismatic company debuts. Joshua brings a beautiful and dramatic musical voice and spirit to the stage that has thrilled audiences for years at the Rose Marine Theatre.  His passion, skill, and charm are what will make his Edward Bloom the living breathing larger than life storyteller that has captured audiences hearts on Broadway and film.” offers Artistic Director Adam Adolfo.

Joining Mr. Sherman on the Rose Marine stage are 11 Artes de la Rosa debuts including Lauren Kane as his wife Sandra, Jonathan Hardin as their son, Will, and Emma Leigh Montes as Will’s wife, Josephine. Populating the colorful cast of characters is Emily Warwick as the witch, Domanick Hubbard as Carl the Giant, and Todd Camp as Circus owner Amos. The cast also includes Matthew Smith (Dr. Bennett), Dusty Farmer & Jakeb Lowery (the Price Brothers), Fatima Rodriguez (Jenny Hill), and Tori Hoffmeister (The Girl in the Water).

Production begins March 4th at the Rose Marine Theater in Fort Worth for a strictly limited 3 week engagement. Additional casting for the musical will be forthcoming.

    

ABOUT BIG FISH: TWELVE CHAIRS VERSION

BIG FISH 12 Chairs is the new, intimate version of the Broadway musical featuring music and lyrics by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party) and a new book by esteemed screenwriter John August (Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, BIG FISH centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest… and then some! Edward's incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him – most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. Overflowing with heart, humor and spectacular stagecraft, BIG FISH is an extraordinary new Broadway musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre – for an experience that's richer, funnier and BIGGER than life itself.

TICKET INFORMATION

BIG FISH runs Friday March 4 and plays Thursdays 7:30 pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm. There will be a single Sunday Matinee on March 20 at 3:00 pm.  General Admission tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students, teachers, & seniors. Tickets will go on sale on February 4. For tickets or more information, call the Rose Marine Theater Box Office at (817) 624-8333.  Special ticket prices are available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased online at www.artesdelarosa.org.   

Joshua Sherman stars as Edward Bloom in the Artes de la Rosa production of
BIG FISH 12 Chairs Version this March at the Rose Marine Theater.

ABOUT ARTES DE LA ROSA CULTURAL CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Artes de la Rosa is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and interpreting the art, lives, and history of Latino culture for all.

Finding moments in the woods with the Baker's Wife, Alden Bowers Price

Alden Bowers Price (The Bakers Wife)
with Joshua Sherman (The Baker) in
Artes de la Rosa's Into the Woods

Today we venture into the woods with Alden Bowers Price. Alden is making her Artes de la Rosa debut in Into The Woods but is no stranger to Artistic Director Adam Adolfo having starred in Lee Blessing's poignant political drama, Two Rooms for him at Runway Theater.  A true star, Alden is making the iconic role of the Baker's Wife all her own!

 

We all know and love the stories of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood. They are familiar to us and stir memories, which in turn takes us to a place of joy, safety, and endless possibilities! These are stories that have stood the test of time because of their life lessons and seemingly magical "moments". Is it possible for any other story to seem as magical and moving as the ones listed above? I think so.



Alden Bowers Price talking with
director Adam Adolfo

I believe that the story of The Baker and The Baker’s Wife is equally if not more magical than the others because it is a story about two "real" people facing real struggles and sharing an incredibly vital lesson to all: Love and respect those close to you, exist to fulfill your dreams, fight for what you want, be content with what you have.

I’m going to be honest with you and say that I have actually struggled with coming to like The Baker’s Wife. It might sound odd to hear as most of us envision the original Broadway star Joanna Gleason tromping around the stage delivering each line with perfect comedic timing while making us feel that infidelity is acceptable so long as it is just a "peculiar passing moment".

 





Original Broadway "Bakers Wife"
Joanna Gleason

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Joanna Gleason! Her portrayal of The Baker’s Wife leaves me with a goofy grin on my face as I nod along to her songs. I just think it is easy to glaze over the real "moments" that take place. Like the way she is quick to be condescending and not afraid to talk down to her husband. Or the moment she compromises her morals by lying to a little boy saying beans carry magic when in reality she has no idea if they do. The way she finds something else to complain about (their house being too small) immediately after she got what she had always wanted; a child. Oh and let’s not forget the biggest one of all… infidelity.

 

Alden Bowers Price in TWO ROOMS directed
by Artes Artistic Director Adam Adolfo

 

I struggled for several days (*cough*weeks*cough*) in deciding what it was that made her likeable. What about her should make people pull for her and The Baker through their struggles? What makes people want her to succeed in obtaining her goal? I was working on her main solo, ‘Moments in the Woods’, last week when I had my personal "moment" in coming to love her. That moment where everything seemed so clear and seamlessly fit together. ‘Moments in the Woods’ is the song she sings right after her moment of selfish weakness. Wait, selfish…weakness… those are two of the most human qualities I’ve ever heard a character possessing. That’s when it hit me. She isn’t unlikeable… she is incredibly human. Then it hit me, she was feeling remorse. Finding her so human in that moment was so jarring that it immediately helped me find things/"moments" to love about her.

I love her strength and the fact that she doesn’t take "no" for an answer. I love the way she is so dedicated to her dream that she is not going to sit on the sideline and let someone else do the work for her. I love the moment in ‘It Takes Two’ when she falls back in love with her husband, The Baker, after a long battle through anger, resentment, and the embarrassment of not being able to have a child. I adore the fact that she is so proud of her husband when he succeeds in his own battles. I find it thrilling that she is captivated with their little "wish". I find her riveting in the way that she will protect others from the giant although she has no reason to feel so strongly for their safety.

 

"Behind the scenes" of the press photo shoot.

Yes, I even accept and appreciate the fact that she feels remorse for the horrible act she commits. I am so in love with the fact that at the end of the show, she is able to show her husband love and encouragement in assuring him that he was meant to be a father, that he can fill the voids for their little one that he is so fearful of, and that the two people she loves most in the entire world, her husband and their son, will never truly be alone.

Just know that when you meet The Baker’s Wife in our show, she will not be the typical one you encounter in most journeys into the woods! I hope people feel comfortable walking alongside her and ultimately fall even more in love with her than I have.

 

#IntoTheWoodsFW 

A Baker is more than just bread... or so Joshua Sherman Tells Us.

Joshua Sherman
Twitter: @JShermanActor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/joshua.sherman.actor

Today we spend some moments in the woods with Joshua Sherman who is returning to the stage at the Rose Marine as the Baker. Many may remember Joshua for his show stopping vocal performance in IN THE HEIGHTS or his chilling take on Central American Military Politics in THE FIFTH SUN. In our production of INTO THE WOODS, Joshua shows us a tender side that has many people questioning the heroism under his submissive demeanor.

A Baker is more than just bread...

...Is he a hero or just a baker?

he·ro
hi(ə)rō
noun
1. a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities

That is the definition of 'hero' word for word. So... feminist, don't be angry! Besides, you gals have heroine. The word. Not the drug... Well, that went downhill quickly; such is a hero's life.

Much like The Baker in Stephen Sondheim’s classical hit musical 'Into The Woods'. It seems like everything The Baker does in this high energy musical puts himself in harm’s way. Not only his physical well-being but within himself as well.

Joshua as The General in The Fifth Sun

It's hard to say if he is a hero or not. I mean, by definition listed above... he's not very heroic. He shows some courage but he is not idealized for it!  He has some achievements, and I say they are rather outstanding! But... he didn't reach his achievements alone. In fact, he wouldn't be able to do much alone!

And as for noble qualities... He's a baker! His father and mother, who died in a baking accident, were merely bakers before him. No nobility there.

By definition The Baker is no hero.

That being said; I believe he is a Hero. Just, not in the traditional sense. The Baker doesn't save the day. He doesn't fight off evil with his abilities to make cakes and pastries. (Which are very good, mind you.) He doesn't wear a spandex suit and don a cape and mask to gallivant around the woods or

Joshua Sherman & Lorens Portalatin starred as
Nina & Benny in Artes de la Rosa's In the Heights

village looking for crimes to solve! But what he does do is much more important. He chooses not to run away. He chooses to make his own happiness, to forge his own path in life surrounded by people he cares about, when things are at rock bottom. His super-strength comes not in the form of being able to lift  a tree from the ground but rather being able to pick himself up after being shattered completely; Gluing himself back together and filling in the missing pieces with reflections of what he's lost.... and then some! And we all know how difficult that can be sometimes.

This is the beauty of fairy tales. (Especially the Grimm Fairy Tales that Into The Woods is based on.) That there is evil in this world and sometimes, evil wins. Think about it; Snow White takes that bite. Little Red Ridinghood strays from her path. Jack steals from the giant. The big bad wolf destroys the houses of the first two piggies. But, with that in mind; if you just persevere, if you just keep on going through the woods and all of the bad, if you consciously make the choice to get your happily ever after… You’ll get it. It might not be what you had originally thought it to be. But it’ll be there. That’s what The Baker does.

He is a hero…he is the hero of his own life.

Alden Bowers Price and Joshua Sherman star in
INTO THE WOODS
February 21st - March 16th
PHOTO BY MARK MAYR