CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Flies Its Magic Car To Providence

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG comes to the Providence Performing Arts Center beginning March 19 for six performances only! Based on the novel by famed James Bond author and creator Ian Fleming, the production features music and lyrics by the Sherman Brothers, composers of MARY POPPINS. The National Tour also features an original script and a fresh adaptation, directed by Ray Roderick.

The Providence engagement of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG also features six local children in the chorus. In October of 2008, over eighty children came to PPAC for the audition, which consisted of them learning choreography from the show, on-site, and singing an up-tempo song of their choice. The show's producers selected Andrew Purdy, of Franklin, MA; Eric Halvarson, of Cranston; Rebekah Philip, of Rehoboth, MA; Carolina King and Virginia King, of Clayville; and Fifer Horwitz of Tiverton as the regulars, and Daniel Perkins, of Bellingham, MA and Maddie Crump, of Norfolk, MA as the boy and girl alternates. The six regulars will appear in all six CHITTY performances at PPAC.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG performance times are Thursday, March 19 at 7:30P (which is also Kids' Night on Broadway), Friday, March 20 at 8P, Saturday, March 21 at 2P & 8P, and Sunday, March 22 at 1P & 6:30P. Tickets for CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG are $60, $55, $53, $48, $43, $38, and $33; all ticket prices include a $3 per ticket restoration charge. Tickets for all shows can be purchased at PPAC's Box Office window at 220 Weybosset Street in downtown Providence, or by calling (401) 421-ARTS, Monday - Friday from 10A - 5P and Saturdays from 10A - 2P; or visit www.ppacri.org to purchase tickets any time. Discounted admission is available for groups of 20 or more; for more information, email Paul Hiatt at phiatt@ppacri.org or call (401) 574-3162.

March 19 is KIDS' NIGHT ON BROADWAY! In addition to a special pre-show event, with the purchase of a regularly-priced ticket, children under the age of 18 can receive a FREE ticket of equal value for the 7:30P opening night performance of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. Details are coming soon; please visit www.ppacri.org for frequent updates. For ticketing information about KIDS' NIGHT ON BROADWAY, contact the Box Office at (401) 421-ARTS.

The Broadway production of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG received 5 Tony Award nominations, 10 Outer Critics Circle Award nominations and 4 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 3 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 familiar 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.

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, including Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA (visit www.bigleague.org/aida/), 42nd STREET , Meredith Willson's The Music Man as conceived by Susan Stroman, FOOTLOOSE, Titanic, 1776, Peter Pan, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Blast!, The Who's Tommy, 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. Visit www.bigleague.org for more.

Visit www.chittyontour.com for more information.

The Providence Performing Arts Center is a historic theatre building, opened in October 1928 and now celebrating its 80th Anniversary. It was originally a Loew's movie palace and over the years, it has had various name changes until it was renamed the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in 1982. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, PPAC currently presents top-flight touring Broadway productions, family shows, concerts, and more. Log on to www.ppacri.org for more information about the 2008/2009 season.