Local Children Cast In CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, Opens At ASU Gammage 6/16-21

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the most fantasmagorical Broadway musical in the history of everything, has cast six children from around Arizona to make their stage debut with CHITTY at ASU Gammage, June 16-21 for an eight performance engagement.

The schildren were selected in April during an audition at ASU Gammage. They were cast as members of The Ensemble, and will appear as orphans in Act 2 of every performance. Two alternates have also been chosen.

The six children are:

Zoe Zamora (12) is a sixth grader from Barbara Bush Elementary in Mesa. She is an active member of Actors Youth Theatre and has starred in several of their productions as well as productions at her school.

Donovan Fiore (11) is a fifth grader from Edu-Prize School in Gilbert. He has done performances with the Valley Youth Theatre and the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. Donovan thinks "it will be cool to perform on the Gammage stage with such a large production."

Alec Nienhauser (12) is a seventh grader at BASIS Scottsdale School. He has done four shows with Valley Youth Theatre. Alec's performances include Guys and Dolls, The Jungle Book, Prince and the Pauper and Trojan Women.

Sophia Drapeau (10) is a fourth grader at St. Mamilian Kolbe in Phoenix. Sophia is active in Valley Youth Theatre and Greasepaint Youth Theatre. Of the 16 shows Sophia has performed in, her favorites are The Quiltmaker's Gift, Geppeto & Son and Narnia.

Alison Whitewell (11) is a fifth grader at Hopi Elementary School in Phoenix. She has been performing with an acting program called Art and Sol Performing Arts in Phoenix for the last three years performing in shows including Grease, High School Musical, Annie, Cinderella and Aladdin. Besides acting and singing, Alison loves doing gymnastics, swimming and cooking.

Christopher Moffit (11) is a fifth grader at Ward Traditional Academy in Tempe. He is active in the Valley Youth Theatre and has performed in several shows including Seussical the Musical, Bye Bye Birdie, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Wizard of Oz.

Sierra Cottle (11) is a fifth grader at Arizona Virtual Academy Charter School in Prescott. She has performed in many of Prescott Fine Arts' productions. Her most recent performances have been in Cat in the Castle and The Poinsettie Miracle. Sierra's goal is to one day be on Broadway.

Payton Bioletto (9) is a student at St. Timothy Catholic School in Mesa. She is active in Valley Youth Theatre. She performed as Cindy Lou Who in Seussical the Musical and is currently in Geppeto & Son.

Based on the timeless novel by famed James Bond author and creator, Ian Fleming, the production features the music and lyrics by the legendary Sherman brothers, composers of Mary Poppins. The national tour also features an original script and fresh adaptation directed by Ray Roderick. CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG boasts a beloved score, including memorable classics such as "Truly Scrumptious," "Toot Sweets," "Hushabye Mountain" and the Oscarâ-nominated title song, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."

 

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG plays ASU Gammage, June 16-21. Tickets for CHITTY range $64 to $19.75 and are on sale now at the ASU Gammage Box Office, through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1.800.982.ARTS(2787). Group discounts for 20 or more are available by calling 480.965.6678.

 

About ASU Gammage
Located on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University, ASU Gammage is among the largest university-based presenters of performing arts in the world. ASU Gammage is the home theater of Broadway Across America - Arizona and the BEYOND series. Its mission is to connect communities through artistic excellence and educational outreach. ASU Gammage is an historic hall designed by internationally renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. asugammage.com

About Broadway Across America
Broadway Across America: Owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman), Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 43 North American cities. Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theatre for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. Broadway Across America most recently produced Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS on Broadway, while current and upcoming productions include WEST SIDE STORY, BLITHE SPIRIT, MINSKY'S, and the DeafWest production of PIPPIN. Broadway tours include DORA THE EXPLORER, FROST/NIXON, SPAMALOT, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.