Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has made its stage debut to a standing ovation throughout the London Palladium. Many stars were in the audience including [b]James Bond star Pierce Brosnan and Oscar winner Halle Berry. At a cost of
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| Chitty Chitty flop as car trouble stops show Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was cancelled last night because of car trouble. The show, which cost more than
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Hilton Theatre Box Office to Open Valentine's Day for Chitty Buyers The newly renamed Hilton Theatre will open its box office on Valentine's Day. On Feb. 14 interested theatregoers can purchase tickets to the new Broadway musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Hilton Theatre box office, located at 213 West 42nd Street. (The Hilton Theatre was formerly called The Ford Center for the Performing Arts.) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, according to a recent press release, begins performances March 27 with Ra
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New Cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Announced Stage and television star Brian Conley will play
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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang The whole family will love this screen-to-stage adaptation, already a hit across the pond! After delighting scores of West End audiences, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (the most fantasmagorical stage musical in the history of everything!) makes its American premiere at Broadway's Ford Center for the Performing Arts beginning previews on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 and opening on Thursday, April 28, 2005. The enthralling story of the adventures of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the magical car, as it sails the seas and flies through the air will bring back a host of memories for fans of the beloved 1968 film. In Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty's eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts, and his enchanting children, Jemima and Jeremy, join the truly scrumptious Truly Scrumptious and batty Grandpa Potts to outwit the dastardly Baron and Baroness in this non-stop adventure for all ages. Based on the film and Ian Fleming's timeless original story, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang features a beloved score, including memorable classics such as
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PHOTO CALL: Cast Members from Chitty Provide Some Bang at Box Office Opening In addition to the presence of several cast members, the box office opening of the the new Broadway musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was celebrated by a visit from the famous car of the movie version of Ian Fleming's novel. Ellen Marlow, who portrays Jemina, and Henry Hodges, who plays Jeremy, climbed into the car with ensemble member Bret Shuford at the Hilton Theatre on West 42nd Street for the box office opening on Feb. 14. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, already a box office sensation in London's West End, opens on Broadway with Kevin Cahoon, Philip Bosco, Erin Dilly, Raul Esparza, Marc Kudisch, Jan Maxwell, Robert Sella and Chip Zien on April 28. Previews begin March 29. |
http://www.playbill....icle/91208.html
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Qwerty
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Posted 27 February 2005 - 05:23 PM
#21
zencat
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Posted 12 March 2005 - 03:06 AM
Saw this review on Amazon.com. Something to consider when buying a copy of Chitty.
I LOVE this book BUT..., January 8, 2005
Reviewer:
Cat Rescuer (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
the reissue SUCKS big time!!!! I was so angry when I saw this new version that I sent off a letter to Random House, which I'll copy here since it clearly states my issue with the "new" version (and I also highly recommend that if you intend to purchase this book you find an "old" copy from the 60's):To Random House-I recently bought a few books I fondly remembered from my own childhood so I could introduce my friend's 9 year old grandson to some timeless classics. One of these books was Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. When the copy I ordered from amazon.com arrived I open the package in breathless anticipation only to quickly descend into horrified shock at what I saw before me. The beautifully illustrated book I so fondly remembered was gone and in its place was paper with print, a hard cover, and a few pathetic, poorly drawn cartoons that serve only to disfigure, in an unimaginable and horrific travesty of art sense, what was once a gloriously illustrated treasure.WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?????The beautiful, original John Burningham illustrations were an integral and ***irreplaceable*** part of this book and without them you've destroyed what was a perfect marriage of art and story. Whoever had the idea to so radically diminish the beauty of this book in such an inexplicable and destructive fashion should never, ever, EVER have a hand in decisions of any importance. This reissue is a miserable failure and a nasty insult to the readers who will never experience the true joy of what was once a perfect book.SHAME ON YOU!Needless to say, this "new" copy is going in the garbage and I've ordered a used copy from 1964.
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Bond111
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Posted 12 March 2005 - 04:17 AM
That's really a shame. I rather liked the illustrations in the original copies.
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Bon-san
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Posted 15 March 2005 - 04:15 AM
Saw this review on Amazon.com. Something to consider when buying a copy of Chitty.
Nice letter!
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Qwerty
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Posted 15 March 2005 - 02:20 PM
Slowly been collecting the different copies of this one.
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Qwerty
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Posted 22 March 2005 - 08:35 PM
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Announces Family Nights CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the most fantasmagorical stage musical in the history of everything, announces a unique Broadway performance schedule. In an unprecedented effort to accommodate family audiences, all Tuesday through Thursday evening performances begin at 7pm. The complete playing schedule for CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is as follows: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets range from $20 to $100, and are available through Ticketmaster.com at (212) 307-4100 or (800) 755-4000. CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG makes its American premiere at Broadway's Hilton Theatre (213 West 42nd Street), beginning previews on Sunday, March 27, 2005 and opening on Thursday, April 28, 2005. The cast of forty four in CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is led by Rau
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'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' is a charmer IF YOU watched the film "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" as a kid, you will certainly wax nostalgic and enjoy the musical of the same title, which is the current toast of the West End theater circuit in London-the same domain conquered by our very own Lea Salonga with "Miss Saigon" more than a decade ago. Ian Fleming's "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is based on Ken Hughes' 1968 film classic, starring Dick Van Dyke. The musical reprises the music by the Sherman Brothers (of "It's A Small World After All" fame), who earned an Oscar nomination for the film's title theme. Adrian Noble directs a cast of 40-plus in the musical. Initially, it was rather unthinkable to picture a flying car onstage. It sure was easy to do it in the movies, but live theater is a totally different matter. Yet, Jeremy Sans' stage adaptation brings the imagination to reality-and how! The fact that "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" became a popular big screen outing was enough reason to draw the crowds to the Palladium Theater, which is right in the heart of the bustling Picadilly Circus in London. However, the producers also decided to sign up popular artists to the production, so that with the names of '90s pop star Jason Donovan and Boyzone member Stephen Gately on the marquee, more audiences are drawn to the musical. However, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is more than just an ordinary theater production. When it opened on West End in April 2002, it was hailed by an English critic as "the most fantasmagorical stage musical." Rightly so, since the production boasts of stunning special effects, colorful costumes and eye-popping sets and props that include the hydraulic-powered flying car. The effects are sheer theatrical magic. Children squeal at every fascinating sight onstage and adult audiences are awed by the visual spectacle. Enthralling The simple but enthralling story of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" revolves around single dad and nutty inventor Caractacus Potts, who has two precocious children-Jeremy and Jemima-and is obsessed with resurrecting a worn-out car for the grand prix. A greedy Bulgarian businessman, Baron Bomburst and his wife who abhors kids, are likewise over-zealous to get their hands on the car. Desperate to win the car race, they even go to the extent of kidnapping Potts' two children. In the end, of course, good prevails over evil. Even after two-and-a-half years onstage, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" remains a popular musical in West End. Tickets sell at a stiff price of as much as 42.50 pounds (around P4,400) on weekends. The Saturday night we watched, which had a sold-out crowd, we were able to book through the Internet a ticket on the stalls (orchestra seats) at 37 pounds (P3,950), excluding the taxes. Imagine Donovan, a heartthrob in the '90s, dancing with a bamboo cane and flying a car with a mind of its own. He was last seen on the West End stage in his London theater debut as the lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." But as the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," Donovan does not buckle under the pressure of this newest challenge in his career. His charming performance as the mischievous inventor and doting father appears effortless. Apparently, Donovan has also been successful in his post-Kylie Minogue career turn. The actor was once romantically involved with his fellow Aussie performer, with whom he even a recorded a chart-topping saccharine duet, Especially for You." He does eight performances a week for "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," including the matinee shows on weekends. Unrecognizable Boyzone member Stephen Gately proves that there's life after joining the popular all-male Irish band. As the scary and hideous-looking Child Catcher, he is hardly recognizable, though. He wears a skull-cap to look bald and appears with prosthetic ears and nose, as well as heavy makeup. But on the night we watched the show, the minute the Child Catcher sauntered onstage, his mere presence instantly drew loud applause from the audience. They knew it was Gately-and he didn't disappoint a bit. Gately stepped into the Child Catcher's shoes in September 2004 and has not stopped earning raves for his performance. He is said to be the youngest actor to play the part. Like Donovan, Gately also played the lead in the West End production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," which marked his West End debut. Even the young stars in the musical who play Caractacus Potts' children, Jemima and Jeremy, delight the audience with their flair for singing and dancing. And Scarlett Strallen as Truly Scrumptious is witty and amusing. "Madly and Deeply are my sisters," she says in her dialogue. "Seriously?," ask the kids. "That's my brother," she replies. Stocky actor Christopher Biggins, who plays Baron Bomburst, and Louise Gold as his wife, Baroness Bomburst, pack the comic punches within the musical. Amazingly, they complement each other and theirs is certainly a tough act to beat. For more than two hours, the audience gets transported to a mystical and musical world in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," with pirates, castles, clever gadgets, mechanical contraptions, madcap fun and non-stop adventure for all ages. When the magical car flies for the first time within the show, audiences are momentarily stunned by the breathtaking effects. And I thought the shiny Cadillac or the flying helicopter in "Miss Saigon" were already awesome! Chitty, the car, is a star in itself, getting loud applause from the audience. After it ends its run at West End, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" will open on Broadway at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts in Spring 2005. Previews begin on March 29, with the opening night set for April 28. |
http://news.inq7.net...&story_id=31697
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mccartney007
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 03:36 AM
I saw this while it was still in previews over in England several years ago and I was very impressed with it. A very well put together production.
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Qwerty
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 03:40 AM
I've been finding alot of articles about this lately. It does indeed seem to be quite the hit; would love to be able to see it.
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Qwerty
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Posted 07 April 2005 - 01:58 AM
Take a Sneak Peak at 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' If you saw a magical car parked on West 43 Street on April 5, it wasn't your imagination. After delighting families and audiences of all ages in the West End, the fantasmagorical musical has landed on Broadway. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, based on the 1968 movie by Ian Fleming, held a press preview in its new home at the Hilton Theatre on April 5. We caught up with members of the company of this family-friendly musical adventure and most importantly, we got to see the famous flying machine up close and personal! Take a look and see for yourself! |
http://www.broadway.....aspx?ci=509754
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Qwerty
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Posted 14 April 2005 - 07:28 PM
Chitty to Offer Early Curtain Times All Week This summer Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will become the first Broadway musical to offer 7 PM curtains for all evening performances. As of July 5, the new musical at the Hilton Theatre will offer 7 rather than 8 PM curtains Tuesday through Saturday evenings. Matinees will continue to be offered Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM. The family friendly production, which officially opens April 28, currently plays Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM. Based on Ian Fleming's novel and the film of the same name, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang features music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. Song titles include "Truly Scrumptious," "Toot Sweets," "Hushabye Mountain" and the Oscar-nominated title song "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." The musical began previews March 27. The 50-member cast is led by Raul Esparza as Caractacus Potts, Erin Dilly as Truly Scrumptious, Philip Bosco as Grandpa Potts, Marc Kudisch as Baron Bomburst, Jan Maxwell as Baroness Bomburst, Chip Zien as Goran, Robert Sella as Boris, Kevin Cahoon as the Childcatcher, Frank Raiter as the Toymaker, Henry Hodges as Jeremy and Ellen Marlow as Jemima. Chitty features direction by Adrian Noble, musical staging by Gillian Lynne, sets and costumes by Anthony Ward, lighting by Mark Henderson, sound design by Andrew Bruce, orchestrations and dance arrangements by Chris Walker, musical supervision by Robert Scott and musical direction by Kristen Blodgette. Jeremy Sams adapted the show for the stage. The Hilton Theatre is located in Manhattan at 213 West 42nd Street. Tickets for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang are now available by calling Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4100 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. |
http://www.playbill....icle/92352.html