Josh Baskin, played by Jarrod Zimmerman, implores his mother, played by April Woodall, to believe he's her son. But because he's been transformed over night from a 12-year-old to a 30-year-old, she's not buying it and prepares to launch a can of food in his direction. The scene is from "Big: the Musical," currently playing at the Lyceum.(Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The short version of this review: If you liked the 1987 film version, "Big," starring Tom Hanks, you'll very likely enjoy "Big: the Musical" at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater.

The musical version adds song and dance, obviously, but takes nothing away from the charm, humor and poignancy of the popular film.

The story follows the adventures of Josh Baskin, played by Jarrod Zimmerman, who is frustrated by the indignities he suffers as a result of being at that very awkward age of almost-13. When he comes across a mysterious carnival kiosk that invites him to make a wish, he wishes simply to be big.

Wish granted.

The trick of having adults and kids switch places is almost a cottage industry in the film world, and in some cases it has devolved into nothing more than a cheap trick for cheap laughs.

But "Big" was not only an early entry into the field, it remains among the best, bringing interesting insights and a respect for the worldviews of both children and adults to the show.

Each perspective, and the characters who express it, has its flaws and each offers something of value to the other.

Josh, because he's in that odd moment of life, still a child who knows how to play but pulled by the promise of greater freedom the adult world seems to offer, serves as a bridge between generations.

After becoming "big" Josh realizes he has to fend for himself until he and his best friend, Billy Kopecki, played by John Kinney, can find a way to turn him back into a kid.

He gravitates to one place a kid on his own might feel safe, a toy store.

That's the setting for perhaps the most famous scene in the film, where Josh and the owner of toy company, George MacMillan, do a duet on a giant floor piano, and Josh's playful spirit lands him a job with the company.

MacMillan is played by Lyceum regular Whit Reichert, who's always a pleasure to see perform.

The piano dance was nearly as magical on the stage as it is in the film, although during the opening show Satuday afternoon, July 12, the piano key lights were slightly out of synch with the dancers' steps, which was a little distracting.

Lyceum Artistic Director Quin Gresham said after the show that the piano is not automated, that the lights and sound are coordinated by "hundreds of ques."

But that was the only noticeable technical problem of the first show. Other features of the set designed by Sarah Carraher worked well.

One of the bright spots of the set was Zoltar, the mysterious carnival kiosk character, who is surrounded by smoke, thunder and lightning as he grants Josh's wishes.

The music seemed somewhat uneven to me. In some cases the songs seem a bit tacked-on, not catchy enough melodically or interesting enough lyrically to really add to the whole, but there are a few that are very fun, especially "You're a Big Boy Now," a duet between Josh and Billy, and "Cross the Line," which ends the first Act and had me humming through intermission.

Much of the humor is just what we would expect from this familiar situation, like when Josh wakes up and realizes he has changed.

"This isn't me," he sings. "What is this foot? I know my foot. This is not my foot!"

But the cast makes the familiar seem fresh with energetic performances all around.

And audiences from Marshall will see a few familiar faces in dancer Mason McCloud and members of the thespian-rich Brennan family.

Michael Brennan, who directs plays at Marshall High School, plays Josh's father.

Jordan Brennan, who was named MHS actor of the year for 2007-2008 and his younger brother Kieran are part of the singing, dancing ensemble.

More than the usual number of children were in the audience for the matinee Saturday, and at least one youngster was reportedly lobbying for another chance to see the show.

If we had a Zoltar kiosk handy, I might make that my wish.

Show times for "Big: the Musical" are Wednesday, July 16, at 2 and 8 p.m. (includes "talk back" session following the evening show), Thursday, July 17, at 2 p.m. Friday, July 18, at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday, July 13, at 2.

To order tickets, visit http://www.lyceumtheatre.org/tickets.php... or call the box office at 660-837-3311.