Resorts World Manila, in cooperation with Full House Theater Company, sets the Newport Performing Arts Theater stage for the premiere of Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the Philippines on Oct. 21.
Originally a bedtime story book written by Fleming, the creator of James Bond, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was first released as a film in 1968. The English musical was first staged at the London Palladium in 2002, and became its longest running show ever with a three-and-a-half-year run. A UK tour also ran from 2005 until 2008.
The musical follows the adventures of eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts and his two children Jeremy and Jemima. Potts’s flying and floating car invention, named Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, brings him and his family to an exhilarating trip to rescue Grandpa from the greedy Baron Bomburst who wants to steal the car. More twists and turns ensue as the Potts take Chitty for a one-of-a-kind ride.
The first Philippine staging of the British musical on the NPAT stage features an all-Filipino cast headlined by stage actor Gian Magdangal, who marks his return to the country after three years of performing at Hong Kong Disneyland and Universal Studios in Japan.
Magdangal takes on the role of Caractacus Potts, while stage actress Yanah Laurel plays his love interest Truly Scrumptious. Twelve-year-old Noel Comia, a two-time Aliw Awardee for Best Child Performer and recent Cinemalaya Festival’s Best Lead Actor, alternates with 11-year old stage actor Albert Silos as Jeremy Potts. Isabeli Araneta Elizalde returns to the NPAT stage after her breakthrough performance in RWM’s Annie as Jemima Potts; Elizalde alternates with Zoey Alvarade.
Completing the cast is seasoned theater actor and Full House artistic director Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Baroness Bomburst, Raymond Concepcion as Baron Bomburst, FHTC co-artistic director Michael Williams as Toymaker, Lorenz Martinez as Childcatcher, Mako Alonso as Boris, and Reb Atadero as Goran.
For its eighth production, RWM is pulling all the stops to present a full-packed show complete with comedy, action, romance, drama, and fantasy. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is directed by Jaime Del Mundo, with assistant direction by Lauchengco-Yulo and artistic direction by Williams.
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has always been on the table because given the enormity of the NPAT stage, we always have to put shows that have spectacle,” shares Lauchengco-Yulo.
Producers promise the audience at NPAT a flying car, which according to them is one of the most expensive theater props of all time. “It’s very ambitious but we all agree that it’s a great choice,” enthuses Lauchengco-Yulo.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang opens on Oct. 21 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila. Visit www.rwmanila.com or call (02) 908-8833 for inquiries and more details.