Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Lands in Philadelphia at Academy of Music on April 7
MARCH 5, 2009
Photo: Ian Ibbetson
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the most fantasmagorical Broadway musical in the history of everything, flies into Philadelphia’s Academy of Music beginning April 7 – April 12, 2009 for eight performances only! Based on the timeless novel by famed James Bond author and creator Ian Fleming, the production features music and lyrics by the legendary Sherman Brothers, composers of Mary Poppins. The national tour features an original script and fresh adaptation directed by Ray Roderick. The press opening will be Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 7:30pm.
Tickets for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang range in price from $25 to $77.50, with a limited number of VIP premium seats available for $100. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, online at www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad and Spruce Streets (open daily 10am to 6pm) or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad & Locust Streets (open during performances only). Groups of 15 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883 or 866-276-2947.
Performances include: Tuesday – Thursday evening at 7:30pm; Friday & Saturday evening at 8pm; Sunday evening at 6:30pm; matinees Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 1pm.
The Broadway production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang received five Tony Award nominations, 10 Outer Critics Circle Award nominations and four Drama Desk nominations during its Broadway run at the Hilton Theatre. It opened on April 28, 2005. The London production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was nominated for three Laurence Olivier Awards in 2003, including Best New Musical, and won Best Musical at the Variety Club Awards in 2003.
The production opened on April 16, 2002 to rave reviews and record-breaking business at the London Palladium and continues to sell-out on tour across the U.K.
This stage adaptation of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang features a beloved score, including memorable classics such as "Truly Scrumptious," "Toot Sweets," "Hushabye Mountain" and the Oscar®-nominated title song, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was originally directed by Adrian Noble on Broadway. This newly conceived version, with direction and adapted script by Ray Roderick, features sets and costumes by renowned English designer Anthony Ward, additional set designs by Robert Bissinger and lighting by Charlie Morrison. New choreography is by JoAnn M. Hunter.
The national tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is executive produced by Daniel Sher of Big League Productions. Visit www.chittyontour.com for more information.
BIG LEAGUE PRODUCTIONS, INC. is celebrating its 20th season of producing, general managing, and booking Broadway musicals and special attractions for touring throughout North America and the world. By special permission from Disney Theatricals, Big League just developed and toured extensively a brand new production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA to great critical acclaim (visit www.bigleague.org/aida/). This production is now touring throughout China with our partner Nederlander World Wide and will continue to other countries. Among Big League’s recent highlights was a new touring production of the world famous mega-musical, Miss Saigon, developed in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, which toured the US and Canada for four years. Other productions of note were the Japanese and North American touring productions of 42nd Street with the creative team from the recent Tony Award winning Broadway revival as well as a three-year tour of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man as conceived by Susan Stroman. Other successes have included Footloose (Las Vegas, Atlantic City, North American Tour), tours of Titanic, 1776, Peter Pan, as well as A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum starring Rip Taylor, and the unique spectacular, Blast!. Big League’s renowned production of The Who’s Tommy has been seen throughout North America, South America, Europe, and most recently in Tokyo. This season Big League is proud have the opportunity to produce the 30th Anniversary National Tour of the Tony Award winning musical Ain’t Misbehavin’ with direction by the Tony Award winning Director Richard Maltby, Jr. and starring American Idol winner recording artist Ruben Studdard as well as Frenchie Davis of Idol fame. Also touring this season is a new dynamic production of the stage adaptation of the iconic children’s film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which will prove to be the most technically challenging production for Big League to date. The booking department at Big League, helmed by the Vice President of the company, John Starr, is among the most respected in the industry. Upcoming productions for 09’-10’ will include the highly acclaimed, Hip-Hop sensation, Groovaloo. Visit www.bigleague.org for more.
During the 2009 Broadway Series productions will include: Happy Days – A New Musical (March 24 – 29); Riverdance (March 31 – April 7); Movin’ Out (May 15 – 17); and Spring Awakening (June 23 – 28). All performances of the Broadway Series are supported by CITI. Promotional support is provided by WPVI-TV 6, The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News. American Airlines is the Official Airline of the Kimmel Center’s Broadway Series.
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