TRUST Limerick Musical Society to pick a long shot for its Spring 2012 production at concert hall for March 8 to 10. ‘Big’ is the show and its Limerick staging will be the Irish premiere, although many know the original ‘Big’, children’s comedy film with a hammed-up Tom Hanks.
Stephen Ryan was a most promising actor/singer/ musician when he left Limerick five years ago to qualify in a prestigious London drama college. He was worked fulltime since as a piano and singing teacher, a stage school coach and does the occasional performance, most recently in ‘HMS Pinafore’.
“That was fun,” he says with a laugh. “The production was on a barge and as sea level rose we would list to one side, all the time singing and acting”.
With creamy skin and the voice of an assured dark angel, in performance this Ryan makes the cut. He breaks into the jazzy riff ‘Black Coffee’ from ‘Big’, a snap-happy ode to the revitalising force of the bean. The room lights up as he sings, and he does too.
Cast opposite CentreStage’s Hilary Bourke’s love interest (one sided, as Josh is really boy), he defines her Susan character as “a tycoon business woman, a woman out for the kill who sees the opportunity for a chase”.
Oh dear, gulped Pollyanna. Worse, her boyfriend Paul (Shane Barriscale) ramps up the sexual tension to which Josh is oblivious so involved is he with toys and childhood. Lyrics and music by Malty & Shire drove ‘Big’ bigtime in the States and “yes, the music is crazy, the lyrics really fun. This is a story with a nice heart”.
For knowing adults and children who love toys too. At UCH, Thursday March 8 to Saturday 10, 8pm.
