The Montezuma-Cortez High School Theatre Department is taking things to a whole new level the next two weekends with six productions of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
Based on an Ian Fleming novel that was modified into a musical film in 1968, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” chronicles the adventures of two children who travel to a foreign land in hopes of saving their grandfather.
Traveling in a flying car that was made by a famous inventor, the children encounter challenges throughout a journey defined by several unique characters.
“Our production is pretty much the same as the movie plot,” said director Nicholaus Sandner. “A few of the characters were grown a little bit and given some extra songs. It’s a very engaging plot line.”
Helping to bring the plot to life will be an intricate set full of moving pieces and parts.
“Our set is based on an automation, which is a self-operating toy,” the director said. “We decided that all of our set pieces would be transparent and moving.”
Adding to the set’s intrigue will be a flying car that will circle the stage at various points during the play. Sandner’s father-in-law built the flying mechanism for the car, which is partially powered by a drill, while students constructed the car’s body.
“We’re still fine tuning (the car) this week to get it to fly and not hurt anybody,” Sandner said with a smile. “It should be quite a show.”
More than 90 individuals, including M-CHS students, Cortez Middle School students, elementary school students and adults, will make up the cast, which is one of M-CHS’ largest.
Playing lead roles in the play will be Kaleb Burris (Caractaccus Potts), Kourtney Partington (Truly Scrumptious), Sean McLaughlin (Grandpa Potts), Sawyer Dietrich (Baron Bomburst) and Anakay Hanold (Baroness Bomburst).
Joining the play’s actresses and actresses will be a 15-member orchestra made up of students and adults, who are under the direction of M-CHS choir teacher Marla Sitton. The orchestra will play music composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.
“The orchestra is pretty amazing,” Sandner said. “The biggest challenge is that the pit is sometimes overpowering the voices on stage, but by the time the play opens, we’ll have everything evened out.”
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” will take place at the M-CHS theatre on March 20, March 21, March 27 and March 28 at 7 p.m. The play will also take place on March 21 and March 28 at 1 p.m. and a special production will be presented to elementary school students during the school day on March 24.
Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Children under the age of five get in free.
“This will be something that Cortez has never seen before,” said stage manager Brock Belt. “(The play) was just released to high schools and it’s really exciting because we’re one of the first high schools to put on the show. I would encourage everyone in the community to attend.”