Then, on March 20, the curtains of the Montezuma-Cortez High School’s theater opened, and a cast and crew of more than 90 people delivered on those promises, thrilling a near-capacity crowd with a truly scintillating performance.
Plot engages onlookers
Chief among the characteristics that made “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” special was a seamless plot line based on an Ian Fleming novel and a 1968 British musical film.
Engaging to audience members of all ages, the 2½-hour production centered on the trials and tribulations faced by two young children, Jeremy Potts (Dakota Kantner) and Jemima Potts (Madison Sitton) in their pursuit of a magical car.
The children are joined by their father, Caractactus Potts (Kaleb Burris) and the beautiful Truly Scrumptious (Kourtney Partington), and encounter several colorful characters, including The Toymaker (Kaylee Brinkerhoff) and The Childcatcher (Kyle Miller).
After eventually traveling to the mythical land of Vulgaria, the Potts children rescue their father and grandfather (Sean McLaughlin), vanquish the Baron Bomburst (Sawyer Dietrich) and the Baroness Bomburst (Anakay Hanold) and return to Britain in their flying car.
Cast and crew bring story to life
Helping to bring the play’s plot to life were actors and actresses of all ages, whose ability to sing, dance and colorfully exhibit characters’ personalities was on display the entire play.
Many of the play’s most exciting moments were acted out by Miller, whose portrayal of The Childcatcher elicited gasps from the crowd. During two special showings for local elementary school students on March 24, Miller walked into the center of the audience and screamed, causing young students to shrink into their seats in fright.
“I’ve always liked scaring people,” said Miller. “(The Childcatcher) is a fun role to play because the audience really reacts and cowers. They were screaming so loud that I couldn’t hear myself sing.”
Also producing several memorable moments was Partington, whose hauntingly beautiful soprano voice and well-executed dance steps helped bring the motherly character of Truly Scrumptious to life.
“The biggest challenge of this play was singing and dancing at the same time because that was something that I had never done before,” said Partington.
M-CHS senior dance team captain Shaunell Butler assisted actors and actresses with dance moves, while a pit orchestra led by M-CHS choir teacher Marla Sitton complemented the play’s acting and dancing with upbeat music.
Unique set enthralls audience
Capping off the intrigues of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and providing a backdrop for the play’s dramas was a unique set that included colorful backdrops and homemade inventions.
Among those inventions was an automaton, otherwise known as a self-operating machine, which was built using several materials, including wooden dowels and PVC pipe.
A bike-powered hair-cutting machine and the play’s flying car also ranked among the highlights of the set’s many props.
“It’s all stuff that I’ve built with the students,” said M-CHS theater director Nicholaus Sandner. “We build on Saturday and I have a tech theatre class that helped with some of the building.”
Overall, the complex and beautifully designed set provided somewhat of a capstone to a production that undoubtedly provided countless memories for audience members, cast members and crew members alike.
Several local businesses, elementary school students, middle school students, musicians of all ages and various other members of the community pledged support and combined to make the play possible.
“Producing this play was a big challenge, and we had a big cast,” Partington said. “Since we had such a hard time learning all of it, it really brought everyone together.”
