Norwich middle and high school students, grades 7-12, have been rehearsing for the upcoming musical Big Fish. Performance times and dates are 7 p.m. March 8, and 9, and 2:30 p.m. March 10 at the high school auditorium located at 89 Midland Drive. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — Middle and high school students in grades 7-12 have been rehearsing for almost three months to bring a journey of laughter and tears to the stage as this year's musical is Big Fish; music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and story by John August.

Performance times and dates are 7 p.m., March 8 and 9, and 2:30 p.m. March 10, at the high school auditorium located at 89 Midland Drive.

Music Teacher and Director Michele Pomares said, “This show is an epic tale filled with beautiful music that will make you laugh and make you cry.”

She said rehearsals began in mid-December and there are 48 students involved in the production. The musical is based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture written by John August.

The story of Big Fish centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman, played by Anthony Pomares, and his son, Will, played by Liam Hunter.

The story shifts between two timelines,” said Pomares. “In the present-day, Edward faces his final chapter and Will embarks on his own journey with the help of his wife Josephine, played by Gillian Safavizadeh, to find out who his father really is.”

Pomares said in the storybook past, Edward ages from a teenager who encounters a witch, played by Aurora Shtrauch, a giant, played by Jeff Terry, a mermaid, played by Emma Cresci, a werewolf, played by Matthew Hall, and the love of his life, Sandra, played by Leah Spense.

“I really love working with the students and the collaborative nature of the high school musical,” she recently said.

Pomares has 29 years experience as a music teacher and has directed numerous elementary and junior musicals. She said she works closely with her creative team and puts a lot of consideration into the cast and what show will be best for them.

She said she tries to appeal to the community and looks to offer various styles of shows to give students different experiences while she considers the overall production, and if it will be attainable, given the terms of set, costumes, and orchestra.