Two Dereks play one Josh in Wagon Wheel Theatre's production of "Big, the Musical."
Derek Grose plays the 12-year-old version of Josh in the show. When Josh magically becomes a grown man, the character is portrayed by Derek Carley.Carley said that the young Josh has a crush on a girl, but she doesn't like him. After his heart is broken, and some other events transpire, Josh makes a wish at a carnival to be big. To his surprise, the wish comes true and Josh must learn to live in the adult world with seven or eight years of experience missing.
To make the audience believe that Carley is the older version of Grose's Josh, Carley said he studied Grose. "Whenever he's on stage, I watch him, see the stuff that he does," said Carley. Carley then incorporates the actions and mannerisms of Grose's version of young Josh into his own characterization of the older Josh.
Grose said he didn't think he'd wind up playing Josh in the show when he auditioned. He said he thought he'd land the role of one of the dancers, but Artistic Director Roy Hine picked Grose for the part.
The story and the music made Carley, a University of Michigan student, want to be in the musical, he said.
"I love to listen to (the music)," Carley said. "You can't watch the show and not reflect on your childhood and how great it was. You might have thought it was bad at the time, but thinking about it, you realize how great it was."
Grose said, Josh learns you can't be big alone, you have to be "big inside," too.
Growing up and becoming an adult includes making mistakes and learning along the way, Carley said. Josh doesn't have seven to eight years of that in "Big."
Asked what the best part of his own childhood was, Carley, 20, said, "I was big into baseball when I was a kid. I was doing theater since I was 7." He said he remembers always being on the go, and his parents let him. "I was fortunate to have parents who let me enjoy what I wanted."
This is Carley's first year at WWT. He has appeared in "Cabaret" and "Grease." After "Anything Goes," Carley heads back to college as a junior, pursuing his bachelor of fine arts degree.
Grose, still enjoying his childhood but creeping into his teen years, said he used to love basketball. Now, he said he's found what he loves, and his possible future career - theater. Before landing the role of young Josh in "Big," Grose said he performed in North Webster Community Center's production of "High School Musical." He also was in "Seussical, the Musical" at WWT in 2006.
"I think you need to get as much experience as you can," said Grose. "I love acting. It's my new love."
Carley said he is impressed by the younger actor. "He's great. He really brings the youthfulness that needs to be established in the beginning." If the audience doesn't like Josh in the beginning of the show, they won't like him when he's older.
"You have to be true to the character," Carley said. Audiences have to identify with him and sympathize with Josh but without thinking he's pathetic. Grose accomplishes that.
And with the great story, Carley said, comes great music.
"I love the music," he said. "I think it's phenomenal, I love it. I really do. There are parts where I get chills, it's so good."
Favorite numbers, Carley said, including the opening number, the finale of Act I, "Cross the Line," and the title song at the end of the second act.
"The songs have very, very good melodies," Carley said.
The original movie version of "Big," starring Tom Hanks, was set in 1989. Carley said this musical version is set in modern times.
But at least one other thing remains the same between the movie and the musical versions. The big piano.
"Yes," Carley said, "it lights up. It's a great moment in the show. The piano is very cool."
"I think it will be great," said Grose of the show.
"Big, the Musical" is at the Wagon Wheel Theatre through July 14. For more information, visit online at www.wagonwheeltheatre.com
