GIGANTIC
Book by Randy Blair & Tim Drucker Music by Matthew roi Berger Lyrics by Randy Blair Choreography by Chase Brock Directed by Scott Schwartz
with Andrew Durand, Jennifer Geller, Leslie Kritzer, Katie Ladner, Jared Loftin, Taylor Louderman, Bonnie Milligan, Burke Moses, Larry Owens, Cole Ragsdale, Ryann Redmond, MiMi Scardulla, Nyla Watson, Kalyn West, Max Wilcox
Getting shipped off to weight-loss camp is hardly Robert’s idea of the perfect summer, but even he isn’t prepared for what can be lost or gained at Camp Overton, the No. 3 weight-loss camp in Southern Pennsylvania. With biting humor and irreverence, GIGANTIC tackles the growing pains of adolescence through the experiences of a bunch of misfit teens forced to find solace in one another as they look — inside and out — for acceptance, a hot make-out session, and the last contraband Butterfinger. A coming-of-age musical comedy fed by an infectious pop/rock score, GIGANTIC is created by Randy Blair, Tim Drucker, and Matthew roi Berger and is directed by Scott Schwartz (BAT BOY, TICK TICK BOOM).
To meet the campers in their Camp Overton application videos click here.
Performed at The Acorn Theatre on Theatre Row in Midtown (410 W. 42nd Street, between 9th & 10th Avenues).
Meet GIGANTIC’s campers in their Camp Overton application videos!
GIGANTIC’s Taylor Waldo discusses why she wants to go to Camp Overton.
GIGANTIC’s YouTube celebrity Darnell Parnell shares his tricked out explanation of what brings him to Camp Overton.
Daphne LaDuca will not be using her third trip to Camp Overton to lose her booty as you’ll see in her camp application video.
It might be best not to allow Robert Grisetti at Camp Overton. See for yourself…
Artists
Andrew Durand
(Brent) Broadway: WAR HORSE, SPRING AWAKENING. West End: THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG. Off-Broadway: LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST, THE WILD BRIDE, YANK, THE BURNT PART BOYS. TV: “Madam Secretary” guest star CBS. Andrew has toured the US and UK extensively doing multiple shows with Kneehigh Theater Co. to venues such as Berkeley Rep, Chicago Shakespeare, The Guthrie, St Ann’s Warehouse, Liverpool Everyman Playhouse, and The Bristol Old Vic.
Reviews
“SEE IT! ‘GIGANTIC’ IS HILARIOUS!
This feisty show will please fans. Matthew Berger and Randy Blair’s score is a bubbly throwback to ’80s pop and rock, and a demented performance by Leslie Kritzer as the camp’s hyper director is the cherry on this deliciously silly sundae.”
– Elisabeth Vincentelli, NY Post
“’GIGANTIC’ IS REBELLIOUS AND AFFIRMING! DEFIANTLY FEEL-GOOD!”
-Laura Collins-Hughes, The New York Times
“‘GIGANTIC’ IS A MUSICAL COMEDY WITH A PLUS-SIZE HEART!
It’s hard not to applaud the gutsy performers under Scott Schwartz’s direction, particularly Ryann Redmond, as the sweetie-pie Taylor, and Max Wilcox, as the rebellious Robert. Andrew Durand glories in his role as a meathead junior counselor.”
– Alexis Soloski, The New Yorker
“GREAT FUN! IRREVERENT AND PEPPY!
This is a feel-good musical. The entire cast creates individual, often poignant personalities. Leslie Kritzer is impish perfection as too-perky Camp Overton co-owner Sandy. Andrew Durand is scene-stealingly nasty.”
– Jennifer Farrar, Associated Press
“PERKY, UPBEAT, QUICK AND CLEVER!”
-Marilyn Stasio, Variety
“THERE’S A GIGANTIC HEART INSIDE ‘GIGANTIC’. SHEER GENIUS!
What a bunch it is! Leslie Kritzer is delightful. Max Wilcox is truly charismatic.
Ryann Redmond is sensational. Bonnie Milligan is excellent. Larry Owens is appealing.
Andrew Durand is delicious. Katie Ladner is hilarious. The faux-rock score is delightfully tuneful!”
– Brian Scott Lipton, Cititour
“A FEEL-GOOD MUSICAL!
Wilcox has genuine charisma in the lead, while Redmond makes for an assertive counterpart. Leslie Kritzer gleefully plays up her supporting role as an eccentric, jumpsuit-wearing camp counselor.”
– Matt Windman, AM New York
“A BARREL OF FUN!
The generously proportioned campers bring gigantic voices to Matthew roi Berger’s pop-rock score.”
– Elyse Sommer, CurtainUp
“‘GIGANTIC’ TUGS AT THE HEART!
Scott Schwartz has directed ‘Gigantic’ so that it bounds along energetically and fluidly. Ryann Redmond has a smile that can simultaneously break and warm a heart.
She finds the delicate inner core of this character, and even when Taylor’s goofily working on a “bad girl” image to attract the guy she likes, Redmond’s performance shines. Max Wilcox has the ability to reveal sensitivity that lies underneath his character’s bravado.”
– Andy Propst, American Theatre Web
“RIDICULOUSLY ENTERTAINING!
I made a fool of myself laughing and smiling through the whole thing. The music by Matthew roi Berger is ‘foot-tapping’ and ‘head-nodding.’ The performances are sterling. The insanely talented Leslie Kritzer is a show-stealer who, unlike all the other scenery-chewers out there in the industry today, who deserves every moment she gets and uses every moment with a precision that will having you screaming in laughter. Ryann Redmond plays with precision and pipes of gold. She is delightful and a star in her own right. And the emerging Katie Ladner is a divine stage presence who has a new, fresh, and insanely interesting take on comedy.”
– Daniel Dunlow, Front Row Center
“THE CAST IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!
Director Scott Schwartz guides them to distinct, over-the-top performances that still manage to feel emotionally grounded. Wilcox makes for an appealing, big-voiced leading man, while Redmond delivers a sweetly vulnerable, star-making performance as Taylor. Owens is a hoot, perfectly matched with Bonnie Milligan as Daphne, the voluptuous and sassy object of his affection.”
– David Gordon, TheaterMania
“THIS SHOW IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE!
Scott Schwartz direction is energetic and fun. What creates this show is it’s youthful driven cast. Standouts are the leads Ms. Redmond, Mr. Wilcox, along with Larry Owens, Jared Loftin and Bonnie Milligan. Leslie Kritzer shines in the supporting role as a camp counselor who has been engaged for 15 years. She brings her winning voice and gleeful talent to this over the top role. ‘Gigantic’ will appeal to a lot of people, especially teens that are struggling with who they are.”
– Suzanna Bowling, Times Square Chronicles
“DELIGHTFUL, CLEVER, FUNNY AND FAST-MOVING!
One can’t help but be impressed with the talented, energetic cast.”
– John Clum, Clum Theatre