Actor/music director/conductor Alexander Gemignani dreams big as the lead in Marriott Theatre's 'Big Fish'

Wherever Broadway veteran Alexander Gemignani goes, he is among family. He says that's how it feels for theater professionals who, over the course of a show, often establish bonds that are practically familial.

That's true for Gemignani, who's making his Marriott Theatre debut as Edward Bloom in the Lincolnshire theater's revival of “Big Fish,” the Andrew Lippa-John August musical.

Adapted from Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel and Tim Burton's 2003 film, the musical is about a traveling salesman (Gemignani) who spins tall tales and dreams big so he doesn't have to live small.

“When I started rehearsals, I didn't know anyone other than Henry, Tommy and Ryan,” said Gemignani referring to director Henry Godinez, choreographer Tommy Rapley and music director Ryan T. Nelson.

But the theater world is small, and the multihyphenate actor/music director/conductor/orchestrator found he had friends in common with co-star Heidi Kettenring.

“She's been wonderful in introducing me around,” said Gemignani, who knew Godinez and the others from Northwestern University, where he is an associate professor in the theater department and the new artistic director of the American Music Theatre Project, an incubator for new musicals established in 2005 by emeritus professor Dominic Missimi and Broadway producer Stuart Oken.

The offer to work on “Big Fish” at Marriott, which he knew by reputation, was impossible to pass up.

“I've loved the show for a long time,” Gemignani said. “It's a deeply human story. On some level, everyone can identify with trying to work to communicate in a healthy way with someone they love.

“It's a universal and timeless story about how family functions and how stories function in families,” he said of the 2013 musical that premiered in Chicago.

The chance to play a complex character like Edward Bloom appealed to the Evanston transplant, whose performance marks the first time he's appeared on a Chicago-area stage since his scene-stealing turn as King George in the 2016 production of “Hamilton.”

“I wish all roles were as rich as Edward,” said Gemignani, 43, who has spent most of his professional career as an actor.

But he's also an orchestrator, conductor and music director like his father, acclaimed music director Paul Gemignani, a frequent Stephen Sondheim collaborator, who conducted Broadway hits such as “Follies,” “A Little Night Music,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Sunday in the Park With George” and “Into the Woods,” among others.

Truly, his life's work is musical theater.

“It keeps me engaged in the way I love - from soup to nuts,” he said, adding, “I've been lucky to work with people who understand and celebrate that.”

Whether he's conducting or acting, Gemignani follows his father's example: show up and give 100% of what you're able to give. As for advice, the elder Gemignani advised him as many parents advise their children.

“Be true to yourself,” he said. “Trust your instincts and your inner voice.”

“Big Fish”

When: 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday (with select Thursday matinees) through March 19

Where: Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 634-0200, marriotttheatre.com

Tickets: $59-$64

COVID-19 precautions: Masking encouraged