Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ Premieres Friday

The cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Back row, left to right: Margaret Joy McLeod, Manu Trujillo, Emma Pinkston, Blade Kanekuni, Makaya Kaduce, Taj Gutierrez, Felix Cosmann, Noah Cabello, Veda Parker, Daphne Sanchez, and Sydney Agudong. Middle row, left to right: Kolea Rautmann, Sabryn Rudinoff, Katy Hoesel, Caleb Plowman, Jacob Lester, Kaile Mckeown, Kenna Shafter, Ella Marcil, Benjamin Petterson, Charles O’Neill, Finnley Garcia, Tara Randol, and Dolly Kanekuni. Front row, left to right: Caitlin Plowman, Gianna Vanenti, Kharma Stambaugh, Fia Gaines, Abby Winters, Isabella Bivens, Jarhett Gaines, Simon Oyama, Travis Williamson, Dylan Crowe, Rayna Shafter, and Cassius Garcia. Very front: Carol Culver. Not pictured: Kalae Abrams, Meryl Abrams, Gabrielle Davidson, Lolli Hagen, Eva Light, and Jim Warrack. Contributed photo

Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre announces the upcoming fall production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Take a fantastic musical adventure with an out-of-this-world car that flies through the air and sails the seas.

Based on the beloved 1968 film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book, and featuring an unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is one family-friendly blockbuster that audiences will find “Truly Scrumptious”.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a full scale musical production directed and choreographed by Carol Culver, who directed the smash hit Mary Poppins for Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre two years ago.

Coming to Kaua‘i from a professional theatre background including the original production of Grease, Carol has choreographed and directed more than 20 shows on Kaua‘i and has trained students to bring the magic of the classics to life through show stopping choreography and intricately crafted productions. She is complemented by a team of seasoned theatre professionals including Dolly Kanekuni (Vocal Director), Dennis McGraw (Orchestra Director), Bailey Hutton (Production Stage Manager and Technical Director) and Debra Blachowiak (Producer).

The cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang features 42 cast members from the Kaua‘i community including 23 local youth actors under 13 years old. Veteran Kauai performers featured also include Jarhett Gaines (Caractacus Potts), Jim Warrack (Grandpa Potts), Noah Cabello (Toymaker) and Daphne Sanchez (Baroness). HCT’s hallmark is a diverse cast integrating both experienced and novice actors, with an educational production process where students and adults build valuable theatre skills in all aspects of production, while building confidence and a sense of teamwork along the way.

The show is scheduled to perform over three weekends at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall from Nov. 10 through Nov. 26, with Friday and Saturday shows scheduled at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 4 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and online on the HCT website hawaiichildrenstheatre.org for $15 adults, $12 seniors/students (children 3 and under are free). Advance tickets will be available for $12 at ticket outlets from Oct. 15. Groups may contact the organization for discounted tickets (25 persons or more).

The community is encouraged to support a special benefit matinee performance on Sunday, Nov. 12 for Kaua‘i food banks, with $6 tickets from the cast and at the door with a donation of food or money.

Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre productions are made possible through a broad range of community support and thousands of volunteer hours. Many opportunities remain to support the production in its final month of preparation. Those interested to find out more about how to support Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre including donations of support, set sponsorship, program advertising, group tickets and/or volunteering are invited to contact HCT Administrator Erin Gaines at the HCT office at 808-246- 8985.

Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre mission is to serve as a world-class, multi-cultural theater arts education program standing for excellence, accessibility, and theater that makes a difference to enrich the lives of young people, their families and the community.  Since its inception in 1996, more than 65 productions have been produced for our Kaua‘i community.

For additional show and ticket info contact www.HawaiiChildrensTheatre.org or call the program office at 808-246- 8985.