Stage Review - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Port Gamble Theatre)
Stage Review - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Presented By: Port Gamble Theatre - Port Gamble, WA
Show Run: July 19 - August 04, 2024
Date Reviewed: Thursday, July 18, 2024 (Preview Night)
Reviewed By: Greg Heilman
When one hears the name Ian Fleming, I’m sure one thing comes to mind, James Bond. His name is synonymous with the creation of the MI6 agent and the Bond universe, which includes all of the books and movies featuring 007. Spy novels aren’t all that Fleming wrote, though, and while his most popular books aren’t necessarily suited for children, his answer to that is found with the last novel he wrote, one that he created specifically for his son and that unfortunately he didn’t live to see published. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car was completed before Fleming died, but not published until a few months after. The book was inspired by the author’s experience witnessing aero-engined race cars in the early 1920s, and the popularity of the story led to the successful musical feature film released in 1968 and the stage musical premiering in 2002. It’s the latter that is currently occupying the stage at the Port Gamble Theatre, in a production directed by Glenna Snively and running through August 4.
There is a lot here in the source material that is vintage Fleming, not the least of which is a car that transforms into a boat or a plane, limited only to the imagination. That should sound familiar to any Bond fan. There’s also his way with names, especially his female characters. Just like the names in his spy thrillers, the lead female character in Chitty has a notable name, Truly Scrumptious, which is a tool he uses very creatively for humor and for a fair bit of innuendo. But regardless of any amount of innuendo, Chitty is a fun story that is suitable and can be enjoyed by the entire family, as is the Port Gamble production. For those not familiar, the story begins with a single father, Caractacus Potts, and his children Jeremy and Jemima. The kids are smitten with an old car they come across at Coggins’ Garage, an old racer, winner of the 1910 British Grand Prix. After hearing that the mechanic is going to sell the car to someone who is planning on turning around and selling it for scrap, the kids beg their father to buy it from them. The price tag is a bit high, but Potts is an inventor and he devises a plan to get the car for his family. Meanwhile, a kid-at-heart Baron and his wife have heard about the car and want to bring it back home to their land, Vulgaria, so he can “play” with it. They send spies to try and get the car from the the inventor, which kicks off a series of events in which the Potts family meets Truly Scrumptious, whom the kids, and ostensibly their father, fall in love with, all discover that the car is magical, have their Grandfather, in a case of mistaken identity, get whisked away to the home of the Baron and Baroness, where children are outlawed and the to where the family follows behind in a courageous rescue mission. The story is funny, it’s heartwarming, and the Port Gamble production is a quality musical that will leave the audience smiling.
The Thursday preview for the Port Gamble production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang sputtered a bit musically with some sync and tempo issues between the actors on stage and the live orchestra, but was otherwise ready for its opening Friday. It’s clear that the cast as a whole got more comfortable as the night progressed, which is clearly why preview nights exist. And creatively, the show is more than ready for opening. From costumes to props to scenic design, this production has many design highlights. On the prop side, the car itself is very well done, credit here to designer and builder Jim Noeldner. It’s not easy to build a car that can make the audience believe that it’s floating or flying without leaving the ground, and Jim’s done a fine job with his Chitty, especially when it takes to the air. Costume-wise, Beth Anne Galloway has built a wardrobe that is big and bold, but not overdone. Her costumes for the Baron and Baroness are regal, formal, and shiny, which is contrasted with the Potts family and their more simple attire. There are a number of examples of standout costuming here, from the ones I’ve mentioned to Grandfather Potts’ explorer garb and the Baroness’ Samba dress. The costumes are designed well, functional, and very becoming on the actors. Perhaps, though, the biggest achievement on the design side comes from Brianna Stuart and her hand painted background landscapes. Each an individual and beautiful piece of art, scene changes are accomplished by flipping panels like a storybook, like a fairy tale unfolding, revealing a different landscape, each more magical than the last, which is only one part of the magic that is in this show.
Even though Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the hero of the story, she’s not the star. That title belongs to Charis Ifland. Charis plays Truly Scrumptious and is absolutely delightful. Truly meets the Potts family early on in the story and after a bit of a contentious beginning, her relationship with the children, and their father, begins to blossom before they join up and go on their adventures together. The kids see Truly as the missing piece in their family, while Caractacus isn’t sure what to think at first, but that soon changes. Charis plays Truly beautifully and vocally she is magnificent. While other actors in the cast had some struggles on Thursday overcoming the volume of the orchestra, mostly the keyboards, Charis and her soprano had no such issue. There is a scene later in the show that is a showcase for her ability more than any other, in which she plays a music box dancer. It’s a popular one from the film and she is exquisite here as well, her movements precise while at no time failing to maintain her vocal quality. It’s just a wonderful performance. The same can be said for the roles of the Baron and Baroness of Vulgaria, played by husband and wife Terry and Kelli McAuley. The pair are hilarious together, their chemistry clearly on display. Terry’s Baron is like a petulant child, spoiled and self-centered, not looking beyond himself for anyone else’s happiness. Meanwhile Kelli’s Baroness is stern and hard, and she despises children. She loves and is devoted to her husband. The two provide the funniest moments in the show, but also some really sweet ones. Their performance in “Chu-Chi Face” is just adorable and one of my favorites in the show.
There are a number of other good performances here as well. Roderick McMillen is entertaining as Grandpa Potts, and while both he and Gabe Smith (as single father/inventor Caractacus Potts) had some issues with volume and being heard over the music from the live orchestra, the latter having some tempo issues on Thursday to boot, both play their roles very well. The Potts children are also very good, Annie Strum as Jeremy and especially Selah Guy as Jemima. The family interactions are sweet and when Truly enters the picture, the family of three quickly embraces the newcomer and the quartet of actors bring a chemistry that feels like family. Everyone in the cast contributes to the sheer enjoyment of the production, including Melissa Denny and Holly Burns as the bumbling Vulgarian spies Boris and Goran, Ashley Parker as the Toymaker, and Cameron Reeves as a downright scary Childcatcher. Rounding out this enjoyable cast are Megan Whitemarsh (mechanic Coggins), Anni Plenge (Junkman), Laura J. Henson and Shelley Erbes (Miss Phillips and her assistant), Niki Florio (Violet), and the ensemble, made up of Morgan Carlson, Nathan Erbes, Kajsa Haas, Rosie Higueria, Mabel Lamar, Sophia LaPlante, Misty Munro, Harper Rogers, Robin Rogers Zoey Sandstrom, Rowan Smith, and Kai Talib. It’s quite the sizable cast and director Glenna Snively has done well to fit everyone without making the play feel crowded. Olivia Ingram’s choreography takes the size of the cast into consideration and she makes use of the space she has to work with very well
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a classic that most of us, if not all, are familiar with, mostly through the film version. The musical captures all of the magic from the film and the Port Gamble version of this family friendly story from James Bond author Ian Fleming is something that adults and children can and will enjoy together. It’s a magical trip with a special car and an even more special cast that is a great way to spend a summer day out of the hot sun.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs on stage at Port Gamble Theatre through August 4. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit https://portgambletheater.com/.
Photo credit: Brad Camp
