CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Flies Into Denver's VBuell Theatre 7/23-26

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the most fantasmagorical Broadway musical in the history of everything, will fly into Denver's Buell Theatre July 23-26! Based on the timeless novel by famed James Bond author and creator Ian Fleming, the production features the music and lyrics by the legendary Sherman brothers, composers of Mary Poppins. The national tour features an original script and fresh adaptation directed by Denver favorite Ray Roderick (Denver Center Attractions' The Last Five Years, The Taffetas and I Love a Piano.) Single tickets for CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG go on sale Sunday, June 7 at www.denvercenter.org or by phone and walk-up Monday, June 8 at 10am.

The production is searching for six children in the Denver area to make their stage debut with CHITTY when it comes to the Buell Theatre. Auditions will be held Saturday, June 13 and pre-registration is required. Details are below.

The Broadway production of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG received five Tony Award nominations, ten 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.

About the CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG local children's auditions:

Auditions will be held at The Denver Center Theatre Company's Newman Center for Theatre Education (1101 13th Street in Denver) on Saturday, June 13 at 12 noon. Pre-registration is required, only the first 100 children to be scheduled will be allowed to audition. Interested parties should email jalexander@dcpa.org to secure a spot.

On Saturday, June 13, auditioning children are to arrive no later than 11am accompanied by a parent or guardian. Auditions will begin promptly at noon. Each child will be asked to sing a cappella 16 bars from one up-tempo song of choice. Children should be prepared to learn and execute simple choreography as part of the audition process. No decisions will be announced at any time during the auditions.

Six children will be selected for The Ensemble, and they will appear as orphans in Act 2 of every performance in Denver. Two alternates will also be chosen. Approximate ages should be between 8 and 12 years old - and have the appearance of children, NOT young adults. Professional experience and headshots are not required.

The local children cast in the production and their parents or guardians will be provided rehearsal and performance information. The children will not receive any compensation, however this is a wonderful opportunity for children from Denver to perform onstage with professional actors without having to leave town.

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 (www.bigleague.org/aida). This production is now touring throughout China with 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.

Single tickets for CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG start at just $20, and go on sale Sunday, June 7 at www.denvercenter.org and Monday, June 8 at 10am for phone and walk-up sales. To charge by phone, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Groups of 15 or more, please call 303.446.4829. Tickets may also be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex Lobby, or at TicketsWest outlets, located in all King Soopers stores. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is an added attraction in Denver Center Attractions' 2009 season, which is generously sponsored by United Airlines. Media sponsorship for DCA is provided by The Denver Post, CBS4 and Colorado Homes & Lifestyles magazine. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is supported in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. Please visit our website at www.denvercenter.org.

For more information on CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, please visit www.chittyontour.com.

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