What has 13 wheels, 15 dogs, and a flying outhouse? Alexandria Country Day School’s upcoming production of “the most fantasmagorical musical in the history of everything” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Now – for the first time ever – families in Central Louisiana will be able to enjoy the staged Broadway version of this classic family tale. The script and score, based on the tieless novel by famed James Bond author and creator, Ian Fleming, features music and lyrics by the legendary Sherman brothers, composers of Mary Poppins. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang includes a host of wonderful melodies, including the high-stepping “Toot Sweets” and “Me Old Bamboo”; and the beautiful ballads of “Truly Scrumptious” and “Hushabye Mountain” and the Academy-award winning title song “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang zooms into the Coughlin Saunders Performing Arts Center February 17th through 20th. Show times are 7:00pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; with a 2:00pm Sunday Matinee. Tickets are just $5.00 for General Admission. Reserved seating is available for Patrons.
The Alexandria Country Day School production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, under the direction of Laine Berry Miller, features 66 students as cast and crew. Tiger Entertainment Plus member, Evan Dodson, stars as Caracticus Potts (the role played by Dick Van Dyke in the movie). Also featured are Amelia DeWitt (Truly), Shira Kaplan (Baroness), Austin Green (Baron), Bailey Mabou (Grandpa), Madalyn Verzwyvelt (Jeremy), Hilary Harlow (Jemima), Dean Mayeux (Goran), Claire Marie Miller (Boris), Lula Mae Koehlar (Toymaker), Caroline May (Childcatcher), and Hunter Andries (Lord Scrumptious/Captain).
The talented students who make up the colorful ensemble of dancing and singing soldiers, Morris Men, clowns, mermaids, pirates, dogs, inventors, orphans and crowds are Annalise Ahrens, Joshita Banga, Regan Brewer, Riley Brewer, Kirsten Bridges, Janna Butler, David Chadwick, Kirbi Cochran, Rebecca Connella, Emma Cook, Garrett Cook, Gwen Couvillion, Sofia Diaz del Valle, Caroline Golmon, Abby Gremillion, Alex Gremillion, Camille Head, Sara Head, Marissa Heard, Hailey Hebert, Rachel Hebert, Hunter Howell, Mary Grace Hutson, Halle Jones, Emma Grace Kinberger, Hunter Lewis, Jada Lewis, Anna Kate Luke, Hynson Luke, Jennifer Lundy, Abigail Marcotte, Douglas Marcotte, Morgan Miller, Lauren Nortier, Gracie Reichman, Addie Robertson, Kelly Robertson, Madeline Rogers, Ben Shirvinski, Erin Shirvinski, Cristian Stiles, Brooke Tassin, Chase Tillman, Ryann Tudor, Taylor Villemarette, Hunter Wellan, Garrett Zachary. The student stage crew members are Lindsey Drury and Erin Johnson.
Assisting the director are ACDS teachers Kassie Harlow and Wendy Diaz del Valle ; as well as librarian Jan Reich. An orchestra will be led by Michael Sterne. The amazing car, Chitty, was made by Jim Shirvinski. Don’t miss this spectacular, heart-warming musical experience. A fantasmagorical musical celebration of hope, teamwork, and love! For tickets and patron information, call ACDS at (318) 448-1475.
