On Oct. 9, Encore Youth Theatre presented Big, the Musical at the Moonlight Amphitheatre.

The play is based off of the movie Big starring Tom Hanks. In the movie, a young boy, Josh Baskin, is tired of dealing with the issues of being a pre-teen and wishes he could be “big.” The next day, he wakes up as an adult and then attempts to live life as a grown-up. In the end, he realizes that he does not want to be “big” and comes to appreciate the life he has.

The play by Encore Youth Theatre closely followed this story line and added dancing, singing and incredible acting. The play started off with a large musical number which set the precedent for what was to come.

The main character, Josh Baskin, was played by two very talented actors, Hayden Kerzie and Austin Wright. Both boys embodied their character to the fullest and told the story of an awkward young boy suddenly thrust into adulthood.

Audrey Fortuin who played the main female role, Susan Lawrence, stole the show with her captivating presence and convincing performance. She had many solo musical numbers in which her beautiful singing voice was showcased perfectly.

Overall, Big, the Musical was an exciting portrayal of the original movie and a great show for families to see together. The Moonlight Amphitheatre also created a sense of community and a family environment due to its openness and lawn seating and made Big, the Musical an even more enjoyable experience.