Review: 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' at PPAC

The tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang that landed at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) last evening is a gateway drug to musical theater. Written by Ian Fleming and directed by Ray Roderick, Chitty is over-the-top sweet and fizzy. It is to musical theater as wine coolers are to alcoholic drinks. If you aren't old enough to handle Pussy Galore, you will do just fine with Truly Scrumptious.

Now, for the record...the car flies and that is cool. The illusion would be better if the car didn't hover while it is supposed to be stationary, but still, the car flies and it is pretty amazing.

Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, the composers, also wrote the Mary Poppins. Off the top of your head, how many songs can you name from Mary Poppins? My guess is four or five. How many songs can you name from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? My guess is one. There is a reason.

The touring production has a talented ensemble. There are moments of interesting choreography and some of the cast get to stretch on a couple songs. I get the feeling that the cast is much better than the material.

Robert Bissinger adapted the touring set from Anthony Ward's Broadway production set and it is eye-popping.

The orchestra, under the direction of Lee Stametz, swings.

There are six local children in the PPAC production. Each of these young actors nail their roles as the children hiding in the sewers from the childcatcher. They are Andrew Purdy, Eric Halvarson, Rebekah Philip, Carolina King, Virginia King, and Fifer Horwitz as the regulars and Daniel Perkins and Maddie Crump as the boy and girl alternates.

Kid's Night On Broadway at PPAC has been extended to include the Sunday, March 22 performance at 6:30 p.m. With the purchase of a regularly-priced ticket, children aged 18 and under can receive a free ticket of equal value for the same show.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang plays at PPAC through March 22, 2009. Ticket prices range from $33-$60 and can be purchased at PPAC's Box Office window at 220 Weybosset St, Providence, RI or by calling 401-421-ARTS.

For more information visit www.chittyontour.com or www.ppacri.org

Photo Credit: Ian Ibbetson