Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays, August 2, 9 & 16 at 2:00 PM
$24 regular, $21 senior, student, military
BoxOffice@CVLT.org
(440) 247-8955
Phone Sales 1-6 PM Tue-Fri
Box Office opens two hours before all performances.
40 River Street, Chagrin Falls OH
We suggest arriving as early as possible to all CVLT events. A map of parking options is available on our Contact page.
Based upon the motion picture “big” Written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg
A TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM
Originally Produced on Broadway by JAMES B. FREYDBERG, KENNETH FELD, LAWRENCE MARK, KENNETH D. GREENBLATT
In Association With
FAO SCHWARZ–FIFTH AVENUE
Ever wish you could skip the awkward years and just be Big? That’s exactly what happens to 12-year-old Josh Baskin when a mysterious Zoltar machine grants his wish to be “grown up.” Overnight, he transforms into a 30-year-old man, still with the mind of a kid!
Big The Musical brings the beloved 1988 film to life on stage, packed with heart, humor, and a dazzling score. Watch as Josh navigates the bewildering world of adulthood – from landing a dream job at a toy company (where his childlike wonder is a huge asset!) to navigating the complexities of grown-up relationships. With the help of his best friend Billy, Josh learns that being “big” isn’t just about height, but about responsibility, love, and ultimately, cherishing every moment of childhood. This family-friendly musical is a joyful reminder to never lose your inner child, no matter your age!
BIG, The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
DIMITRI KOSTEAS (Young Josh) is excited to be returning to the CVLT stage in his 2nd production. Previously he played Young Charlie in Kinky Boots. Other roles he has enjoyed at Chagrin Falls Community Education include Sandy in Annie and Mowgli in Jungle Book. He currently attends Gilmour Academy and will be a 10th grader in the fall. Dimitri would like to thank his family for getting him to all his rehearsals and shows. May the force be with you!
JILL EISERT (Mrs. Baskin) is excited to make her CVLT debut with such an incredible cast and crew! A Northeast Ohio-based artist, Jill has a passion for all things musical theater. Her past credits include Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Maggie in Lend Me a Tenor, and Alice in You Can’t Take It With You. Off-stage, she works as an art teacher and fine-art illustrator, with her work viewable at jilleisert.com and on Instagram at @jilleisertstudio. She is deeply grateful for this opportunity and for the chance to work with the remarkable team at CVLT- it has been a longtime dream to perform here!
SHANE JOHNSON (Billy) is thrilled to be playing 'Billy' in CVLT’s production of Big: The Musical! He recently wrapped Long After Crystal Night at CVLT, in which he played 'Keith.' Shane has also appeared as 'Rooster Hannigan' in Annie Kids, 'Billy' in School of Rock, 'Fletcher' in Freaky Friday, 'Kurt von Trapp' in The Sound of Music, 'Bruce Bogtrotter' in Matilda Jr., 'Enobarbus' in Antony and Cleopatra, and 'The Mad Hatter' in Alice in Wonderland Jr. Shane loves singing, dancing, and basketball, and he is always excited to take on a new challenge. He would like to thank his family, directors, teachers, and cast-mates for their support.
MOLLY WALSH (Cynthia Benson) is thrilled to be back on the CVLT stage! She has been singing and dancing across Northeast Ohio with groups such as Apollo's Fire and the Willoughby Center for the Arts, but Chagrin Valley Little Theatre feels like home. Whether performing in Elf or learning through CVLT's summer camps, she has loved every opportunity to grow as a performer. Molly will be entering 7th grade at Hathaway Brown School this fall. When she's not acting or singing, she enjoys playing volleyball, softball, and basketball, and spending time with family and friends.
MATT PEREZ-STABLE (Mr. Baskin) is happy to be back at CVLT after appearing in Beautiful this spring. He dedicates this one to his whole family, especially C, C, L, & S (don't get big too fast), and to anyone who encouraged him to return to the stage. If you think that means you, it does! Have fun tonight, and thank you for supporting live theater.
PATRICK C. JALBERT (Josh) is ecstatic to be back at CVLT as Josh Baskin. You last saw Patrick as a different Josh in If/Then at Broadview Heights Spotlights Theater. Other Notable Shows include Jersey Boys (Bob Gaudio) here at CVLT, The Music Man (Harold Hill) at The Hudson Players, and She Loves Me (Georg Nowack) at Broadview Heights Spotlights. As well as numerous Ensemble roles at Aurora Community Theater. Patrick would like to thank his family and friends for supporting his enjoyment of theater. And he hopes you all enjoy the show with the energy of a 13 year old kid. This truly is a wish come true.
MARK W. MOORE (George Macmillan) is pleased to return to CVLT having previously performed in Things My Mother Taught Me, Hairspray, The Drowsy Chaperone, & Hillary a Modern Greek Tragedy with a Somewhat Happy Ending. Favorite roles include Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins, Horace Vandegelder in Hello Dolly, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Sam Nash in Plaza Suite, Mr. Price in Kinky Boots, and Bill Clinton in Hillary .... He is having that precious fun in retirement with his wife, dance partner, and fellow world traveler Linda.
ARIA ANDERS (Cynthia's Friend/Birnbaum's Daughter) is going to be a freshman next year at Solon High School. She is part of the drama club as well as the Music In Motion show choir. She has been a part of many shows, including Into the Woods, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, and many more. This show will be Aria's first show with Chagrin Valley Little Theater, and she is very excited. She would like to thank the cast and crew for this memorable experience, and she hopes you like this show!
ELIZABETH IAFELICE (Susan Lawrence) is thrilled to be making her Chagrin debut as Susan Lawrence. She would like to extend her heartfelt thanks to the wonderful cast and crew for the warmest of welcomes and for making this experience so memorable. She is grateful to her family and friends for their unwavering belief in her. A special thank-you goes to her husband, whose love, support, and inspiration helped bring this character to life.
DAVE IGNECZI (Rick Birnbaum)
RACHEL MARZULLO (Bean Bag Lady/Panhandler/Abigail/Youth Dance Captain) is excited to be back on stage at CVLT! Previously at CVLT, Rachel has performed in Freaky Friday, The Prom, and Newsies. She has just graduated from Aurora High School and will attending Roosevelt University to major in musical theater. She is so excited to be back, and she hopes that you enjoy the show!
CRISPIN Q. MCCLELLAN (Derek/Ensemble) After four years of acting in any school show he could get his hands on, Crispin is entering the semi‑professional acting circle, making his debut on his first Big (every pun intended) Stage.
DEV PANIGRAHI (Receptionist/Diane/Adult Dance Captain) is so excited to be back at CVLT this summer! They are a rising senior at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory majoring in dance and minoring in music. They have appeared in multiple productions and you might’ve seen them in Shrek (Ensemble) here at CVLT back during the holidays! They thank you for supporting the show and would like to shoutout their voice teacher, dance teachers, their friends, their family, and their partner for supporting them through their performing arts journey! Enjoy the show!!
EMILY PENTON (Mrs. Watson) is thrilled to be back at CVLT and to be a part of the amazing Big team. She has been active in community theater for 4 decades. Recent productions include: Something Rotten, Kiss Me Kate, Anything Goes, Tommy and Guys & Dolls. Favorite roles include playing a gangster in The Drowsy Chaperone and being part of the Greek Chorus in Little Shop of Horrors. Outside theater she is a K-5 music teacher. In her spare time she sings and plays keys at church, and makes frequent visits to Cedar Point. Emily lives in Lakewood with her favorite person in the world, Bre, her dog and 2 cats.
THOMAS T. ROBERTSON (Ensemble/Tom/Arthur) Thom Robertson is a programmer, a videogame designer, and a creative whirlwind. He was born in 1966, the same year Star Trek started. He started programming on Apple II and Commodore computers in his teens, and from the first day all he ever wanted to make was games. No spreadsheets or tools. Just cool games. He worked in the videogame industry from 1992-2003, and then went indie, making and publishing videogames on the internet. Thom lives in Cleveland with his amazing wife and two dogs.
COLTON BURG (Ensemble) is excited to be part of BIG: The Musical! He previously appeared in CVLT's production of Shrek the Musical, making his stage debut, and returned to stage in Peter Pan: A Radio Adventure. When he's not performing, Colton enjoys playing drums and exploring his love of music. He is grateful for the support of his family and is thrilled to continue growing his passion for theater.
SEAN C. WALSH (Ensemble) is excited to be making his Chagrin Valley Little Theatre debut in this production. He will be entering 7th grade this fall at University School, where he spends much of his time on the hockey rink. While Sean is usually focused on stopping pucks as a goalie, he hopes to be a star both on the ice and on the stage. He would like to thank the cast, crew, and his family for supporting him in this new adventure.
PAMELA LAFORCE (Director) ’s first show at CVLT was in 1986. She has directed, choreographed, and performed at Cain Park, Actor’s Summit, Beck Center, Weathervane, Mercury, Cassidy, ACT, Hudson, Stow, Willoughby FAA, and CVLT. She has been awarded for her work at Cassidy, Willoughby, CVLT, and OCTA. Directing and/or choreography credits include: The Prom, Newsies, Sister Act, The Addams Family, Little Shop of Horrors, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Barnum, A Chorus Line, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, The Rocky Horror Show, Chicago, Grease, Wizard of Oz, Urinetown, Cabaret, The Full Monty, and many others. Many thanks to all who make this possible and all who support live theatre.
DAVID W. COXE (Music Director) is pleased to return to CVLT to music direct Big! He has recently been heard (never seen) as the MD for Beautiful: The. Carol King Music, Freaky Friday, Jersey Boys, and The Prom. He also has worked at Aurora Community Theater, Cassidy Theatre, and many others in NE Ohio. Dave would like to thank Pam, Alex, Tommy, Jen, and the board and staff at CVLT for the continued opportunities they’ve provided so that he can help bring quality theatre here to Chagrin Falls. Big will leave you waxing nostalgic and humming all of the songs for a long time. David hopes you enjoy this show as much as he does.
TOM JONES (Producer/Paul & Zoltar) even though he is seen on stage he enjoys being on a production team as well. He is very excited to be this show's Producer! Last time Tom was in a CVLT production was the Leading Green man during the Christmas Show as Shrek and as the spring musical Beautiful Producer. Tom is involved not just in the theatre but on the outside as well with CVLT Production and Technical Board and Play Study committee. As well there Board of Directors. He is excited for you to enjoy this incredible production. The army involved is one of the reasons why Theatre is a community.
JEN MONFORT (Stage Manager) is thrilled to join another incredible team behind the scenes here at CVLT! She graduated from The Ohio State University with a BA in English and Theatre, with a focus in Stage Management. Previous CVLT credits include Shrek, Freaky Friday, The Prom, Elf the Musical, Newsies, A Chorus Line, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Leading Ladies, and Honk! Other favorite productions she’s worked on include The Rocky Horror Show (Theatre 8:15), Little Shop of Horrors (Aurora Community Theatre), and the touring production of As You Like It (OSU in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company). I hope you enjoy our BIG production!
ALEX PETSCHE (Choreographer) has been part of the CVLT family since she was six years old, when she began tagging along to rehearsals with her mom. Today, she proudly serves as Youth Theatre Director while also choreographing, costuming, and performing. She is delighted to collaborate once again with her mom as director, following her most recent choreography credit for The Prom. Audiences may have seen her this past season as Cynthia Weil in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Favorite recent CVLT roles include Mary in Murder on the Orient Express, Jovie in Elf, and Marian in Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood. She sends lots of love to her husband, Jason, and daughters, Charlie and Audrey.
ALISON ARKO (Costumer) is delighted to return to CVLT as costumer for BIG. Previous costuming credits at CVLT include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Jersey Boys. As a performer, Alison has appeared on the CVLT stage in Barnum (Jenny Lind), Cannibal! The Musical (Card Girl), Legally Blonde, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Spamalot and Hairspray. Her next theatrical venture will see her step into the role of director for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Enchanted Edition) with Silhouette Productions. She is grateful for every opportunity to tell stories both onstage and behind the scenes. Love and thanks to her mother, Marina, for her help sewing
STEVE SAVANYU (Carpenter/Set Design/Tech Coordinator) is CVLT’s Executive Board VP and Tech Coordinator. Steve has been involved with technical theater since the mid 1970s. Along with carpentry, he has extensive experience in sound design, stage lighting and projections. Always up for a construction challenge, he enjoys working with volunteers and getting them excited about technical theater. His set for CVLT’s Murder on the Orient Express won Merit at the 2025 Ohio Community Theatre Association awards. Along with realistic looking brick walls built for “Beautiful, The Carol King Musical” he designed and built a color changing lighted proscenium surround. When not building sets, he operates Buford T. Hedgehog Productions and can be seen at many events in Chagrin Falls.
MARCUS DANA (Lighting Designer) is delighted to be back at CVLT, having served as lighting designer for Beautiful, Puffs, The Sound of Music, Jersey Boys, Clue, and Freaky Friday. Marcus is glad to be a part of the community and has been working in Northeast Ohio since 1994. Lighting Credits Include: Dobama Theatre, Karamu House, Tri-C Jazz Fest, Rabbit Run, City Ballet of Cleveland, Nightingale Opera, Kent State Opera, Near West Theater, Canton Players Guild, Verlezza Dance, Cassidy Theatre, Beck Center, Centrak Lasers, and Mamai.
REGINA MARZULLO (Scenic Designer/Lighting Operator) has recently graduated from Kent State University and earned her BFA in Sculpture and Expanded Media. She is so happy to be putting her degree to good use by bringing this show to life through paint and colors. Gina has been previously seen onstage and offstage at CVLT, and is excited to be back, helping with scenic design for her first time! She would like to thank Steve for his support and guidance while creating the set, and most of all her family's overwhelming love and support while she pursues her dreams of art and creation.
STEVEN BARTON (Projections Designer/Sound Operator)
JULIA WOLFF (Properties Designer) is very happy to be doing props again at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, and working alongside of Pam! Finding props was the first thing she helped do when she first came to CVLT some 33 years ago. Since then she’s stage managed, produced, built many, many sets, chaired committees, was Rudolph for more years than she can count and even was President of this amazing Little Theatre. Much love to Scott for embracing this side! You’re the REAL THING!
