Zach Gibson will step into the role of Edward Bloom, the compulsive storyteller at the center of Big Fish, when Wheaton Drama opens its 2026–2027 season at Playhouse 111 on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

The community theater, now in its 95th year, announced the full cast and creative team Thursday, July 16, for the Broadway musical based on Daniel Wallace's novel and the Tim Burton film. Director Pam Turlow leads a production that features music direction by Brady McNeil, choreography by Katy Smith, and production management by Zach Rowe.

Gibson is joined by Tyler Sonkin as Will Bloom, Edward's skeptical son; Ariel Buck Dooley as Sandra Bloom; Nadia Schult as Josephine Bloom; and Kristin Maagaard as Jenny Hill. Joe Canna plays circus ringmaster Amos Callaway, Katie Heurung takes on The Witch, and Alex Reaugh portrays Karl the Giant. In a distinctive staging choice, Karl will be brought to life through a giant, life-size puppet rather than the traditional painter's stilts, according to the theater's audition notice.

Spencer Schillinger and Mary Kate Nolan share the role of Young Will/Will's Son. The ensemble includes 11 performers: Aeryn Aurand, Charles Grant Jr., Nikki Harris, Pamela Hart, Patrick Hasselbeck, Tracy Kay, Katie Kostner, Pratik Mamtora, Grace O'Neill, Heather Pauliks, and Leah Schult.

All cast members perform as volunteers. None are paid.

Behind the scenes, the creative team includes Set Designer Rod Kelly, Projection Designer Krystyn Wells, Costume Designer Diana Dignan, Lighting Designer Jim Van de Velde, Sound Designer Dave Amato, Puppet Designer Jim Martin, and Fight Choreographer Claire Yearman.

Performances run Sept. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 4, with curtain at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays, according to the July 16 cast announcement. The theater recommends checking its website or calling the box office to confirm the full performance schedule. Tickets are listed from $25 on the Wheaton Drama ticketing page. The box office can be reached at (630) 260-1820.

Big Fish is the first of seven shows in the season Wheaton Drama has titled "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Moments." The lineup also includes She Loves Me, Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play, Into the Breeches!, Disney's Frozen Jr., a mystery show still to be announced, and Murder on the Orient Express.

Playhouse 111 is located at 111 N. Hale St. in downtown Wheaton, one door south of the old Wheaton Theater building.