Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
Johnstown, CO
July 23 - September 13, 2015

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is one of Disney's less memorable films. Most have heard of it, but not many have actually seen it. So it's no surprise that most of the children at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse were experiencing the story for the first time. For those who are familiar with it, it is a very silly and dated movie. The cast and crew have given the musical based on the film a much needed makeover.

The story has more villains than heroes. At the top are the Baron and Baroness who are selfish and greedy. By portraying them as overgrown children it's fun to root against them. The same can be said for their bumbling spies, Boris and Goran. The actors strike the perfect balance of silly and don't put it into the level of 1960's camp. The character with the most scare potential was the Childcatcher. Having him enter through he audience had the potential to freak out kids in the audience. However, enough humor was injected into his song "Kiddy Widdy Winkies" to put the audience at ease.

The focus of the show is inventor Caractacus Potts, his children Jemima and Jeremy, and candy heiress Truly Scrumptious. The actors portray their characters as quirky and warm. The child actors were very strong, not weighing down the show at all. Even the ridiculous name of the heroine is handled in such a way you are willing to accept it.

The multi-functional backdrop of the set blended beautifully with the pieces which were moved in and out to change to the many locations. Scene changes were efficient and smooth.

But the real star of the show is the car. It was impressive enough when it rolled out on the stage and it's driving motion was believable. The movement of the tires when it was floating was a nice touch. When the car was flying you could see the wires, but the effect was so impressive it really didn't matter. The car moved from side to side and even tilted in the air, giving it the feeling of forward motion.

Despite its age, the Sherman Brothers' songs still sparkle. And each one was performed beautifully. The musicians even interacted with the cast on occasion. Those moments made them feel more connected to the production.

The choreography was perfectly arranged. From simple movements to elaborate production numbers, the dancing blended with each scene and character.

As I have grown to expect, the service at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse was friendly. The food was good and English themed to pair with the show. Most meals came with "bubble and squeak," that is mashed potatoes with brussel sprouts to Americans. The cast were available for meet and greet after the performance and happily posed for pictures and signed autographs.