Bloomfield Actress at Westminster Arts Center in Big Fish

The fact that Bloomfield is so close to New York City means that the talent pool in our town is mighty. Kimberley Mesiti is one of many performers that call Bloomfield home. Having appeared in numerous productions around New Jersey and New York, Mesiti's latest production keeps her close to home, performing in 4th Wall Theatre's production of the musical Big Fish, at the Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College.

Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Pictures film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom who lives life in a big way, by always pushing the bounds of story-telling to new heights. While many are entertained by Blooms tales (especially his wife Sandra), his son Will is determined to find the truth of his father before he and his wife Josephine have their own child.

Kim Mesiti plays Josephine, the woman who will give Edward his first grandchild and who believes in her father-in-law and his myriad stories. In love with her husband, she must balance his frustration with the joy she sees her father-in-law brings to others.

"Like Josephine Bloom, I'm always looking for the positive in people" says Mesiti. "I trust very easily, and I go with my gut instincts. Josephine does not like discord and she wants peace and harmony in the family unit and is instrumental in helping Will to heal his fractured relationship with his dad."

While Big Fish, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and a book by John August, had a short run on Broadway, the musical carries a long-lasting message. Audiences across the country are now enjoying the show, as more and more theater companies produce this heart-warming tale.

"This show is about seeing the good in other people – even if they sometimes hide it behind a façade” Mesiti says. "We all want to be accepted and Big Fish encourages the audience to look beneath the surface and give people the love and encouragement they need to move forward to be something in this world – to contribute to humankind."

The character of Josephine serves as a guide, helping to reveal what Edward's “stories” really are trying to convey to her husband. Mesiti believes she has discovered the personal meaning of the stories for herself, through the rehearsal process. "Edward's stories are about living life to the fullest, and using our powers to help people. I don’t think we see this so clearly when we're in our 20’s or 30’s, but definitely much more as we age and gain  more life experience."

Mesiti is joined by Gregory Allen, Laurice Grae-Hauck, Christopher Traina, Alexander Wolfe, Jodi Maloy, Rich Maloy, Vanessa Robinson, Tom Schopper, Patrick McLaughlin, Ashley Leone, Danny Egan, Jessica Walch and Peter Downing.

Big Fish is directed by Kate Swan, music directed by Markus Grae-Hauck and runs June 3, 4, 10, 11 at 8:00 pm and June 5, 12 at 3:00 pm at the Westminster Arts Center in Bloomfield. NJ. More information, is available at www.4thwalltheatre.org. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or reserved at 973-566-9255.

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