Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a rollicking musical extravaganza to delight the whole family. I am one of the rare souls that never saw the movie (produced during my time between being a child and having children) so it was one fun surprise after another in a silly smorgasbord that was “truly scrumptious” and “fantasmagorical."
The show has a little of that Mary-Poppins mood — heartwarming and magical… and is only a tiny bit scary. (Childcatcher, Tim Edinger, was more inept than vicious, and well doomed to a satisfyingly silly demise.) Director Brian Farnham brought great enthusiasm and managerial skills, keeping up the pace with this large cast and demanding set, not to mention the magical car effects. (Lighting Design Ted Daniel)
The set, designed by Aja and J.J. Jenks with lead builder Bob Nees and his crew, was a versatile, multi-level creation that could quickly become a wide variety of locations in England and Vulgaria. The choreography was varied and fun (Amanda Tollstam) and the costumes were wonderful (Theresa Dunn and her large crew.) On props were Jean Burk (appropriately, also the Toymaker) and Brian Farnham — and Caractacus’ wacky inventions were the work of David Schwab. Angie Schwab and her nine-piece orchestra were the musical backbone of the show, hidden away from audience view.
Ben Holzhausen was perfect as the inventor single-dad, Caractacus Potts - beautiful singing voice, eccentric and fun but sincere and loving as a dad, and the eventual love interest of Truly Scrumptions (Sarah Hayner) another charming talent, destined to join the family from their first motorcycle-mishap meeting. Kids, Jeremy and Jemima, were well played by Phineas Reed and Isabella Edmonds-Hogan, both excellent in these important roles. Bob Purosky was a droll Grandpa to round out the family and add some chuckles.
Of course, the villains were the most fun. Longtime fave Laura Croff reveled in the glamorous over-the-top Baroness Bomburst role, alternately adoring and abusing a her diminutive, equally over-the-top spoiled-childish Baron, an impressive new face at Riverwalk, Greg Martin. The Baroness’s revulsion at the very word “children” was a treat to watch. Double-treats were the once-again-very-talented Boris Nikolovski, appropriately cast as Boris, with his co-spy Goran (Jimmy McCormick) also hilarious as a bumbling and multi-disguised espionage duo - great dancers, as well, in the festive Bombie Samba.
This delightful show deserves to sell out and is well on its way to doing so. Go to http://Riverwalktheatre.com or phone Mike today for reservations 517-482-5700. Adults $24; Student/Sr./Military $20 and $12 for age 12 and under. 7pm Thursdays, 8pm Fri/Sat and 2pm Sundays through February 3. (Plan to arrive early, especially Saturday, 1/26, as there is a competing event at Impression 5 and parking will be tight.)
The show has a little of that Mary-Poppins mood — heartwarming and magical… and is only a tiny bit scary. (Childcatcher, Tim Edinger, was more inept than vicious, and well doomed to a satisfyingly silly demise.) Director Brian Farnham brought great enthusiasm and managerial skills, keeping up the pace with this large cast and demanding set, not to mention the magical car effects. (Lighting Design Ted Daniel)
The set, designed by Aja and J.J. Jenks with lead builder Bob Nees and his crew, was a versatile, multi-level creation that could quickly become a wide variety of locations in England and Vulgaria. The choreography was varied and fun (Amanda Tollstam) and the costumes were wonderful (Theresa Dunn and her large crew.) On props were Jean Burk (appropriately, also the Toymaker) and Brian Farnham — and Caractacus’ wacky inventions were the work of David Schwab. Angie Schwab and her nine-piece orchestra were the musical backbone of the show, hidden away from audience view.
Ben Holzhausen was perfect as the inventor single-dad, Caractacus Potts - beautiful singing voice, eccentric and fun but sincere and loving as a dad, and the eventual love interest of Truly Scrumptions (Sarah Hayner) another charming talent, destined to join the family from their first motorcycle-mishap meeting. Kids, Jeremy and Jemima, were well played by Phineas Reed and Isabella Edmonds-Hogan, both excellent in these important roles. Bob Purosky was a droll Grandpa to round out the family and add some chuckles.
Of course, the villains were the most fun. Longtime fave Laura Croff reveled in the glamorous over-the-top Baroness Bomburst role, alternately adoring and abusing a her diminutive, equally over-the-top spoiled-childish Baron, an impressive new face at Riverwalk, Greg Martin. The Baroness’s revulsion at the very word “children” was a treat to watch. Double-treats were the once-again-very-talented Boris Nikolovski, appropriately cast as Boris, with his co-spy Goran (Jimmy McCormick) also hilarious as a bumbling and multi-disguised espionage duo - great dancers, as well, in the festive Bombie Samba.
This delightful show deserves to sell out and is well on its way to doing so. Go to http://Riverwalktheatre.com or phone Mike today for reservations 517-482-5700. Adults $24; Student/Sr./Military $20 and $12 for age 12 and under. 7pm Thursdays, 8pm Fri/Sat and 2pm Sundays through February 3. (Plan to arrive early, especially Saturday, 1/26, as there is a competing event at Impression 5 and parking will be tight.)
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