Review: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG at CenterPoint Legacy Theatre

From candy shops to toymakers to flying cars, the whole family is in for a sweet treat with CenterPoint Legacy Theatre's performance of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, (Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, Adapted for Stage by Jeremy Sams) is the peculiar tale of a rundown race car that manages to bring a family together in the most unusual way! You'll be transported around the world and mesmerized by this talented cast.

Starring as the quirky inventor and family man Caractacus Potts, is Ryan Zaugg (double cast as David Simon). Playing his son Jeremy is Preston Spencer (double cast as Colby Thornton), and his daughter Jemima is played by Kaylee Call (double cast as Abigail Bennett). The three make a charming family, with beautiful harmonies and great chemistry on stage, only accentuated by the addition of Potts' love interest, Truly Scrumptious, played by Alisa Woodbrey (double cast as Shanda Christiansen).

Woodbrey and Zaugg make the perfect pair, delivering gorgeous vocals together in both "Nautical Reprise" and "Doll on a Music Box."

Potts works hard inventing contraptions and candies to raise money to buy his children an old car they have lovingly named Chitty. In the meantime, he manages to woo Miss Scrumptious, who has quickly won over his children.

What none of them know is that something rather suspicious is going on in another part of the world that could greatly hinder them owning the car they've grown to love so dearly.

The story takes a strange turn when the Baron and Baroness of Vulgaria, played by Mark Gurney (double cast as Matt Stokes) and Jessica Love (double cast as Kim Allen Tolman) hire a couple of spies to find Chitty, the old Grand Prix winning race car, and bring it to Vulgaria as the baron's birthday gift.

The spies, Boris, played by Clark Bullen (double cast as Matthew Page) and Goran, played by Kannon Servoss (double cast as Tyson Jensen), have a way of leaving the audience in stitches. The two delivered a flawless performance of two very flawed (read: silly) characters.

Gurney and Love also make an absolutely hilarious pair as Baron and Baroness Bomburst, often causing the entire theatre to erupt in laughter. They are surprisingly loveable for a couple of selfish, children-hating rulers of a kingdom that has banned children and employs a Child Catcher, played by Jake Law (double cast as Trevor Hansen) to capture and lock away any children in their country.

The children's ensemble really steals the show in the second half as they band together to take on the Baron and Baroness of Vulgaria. The incredibly talented kiddos in this cast will blow the audience away with their stunning vocals and commitment to their characters for such young actors and actresses.

CenterPointe's rendition of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is a whimsical delight, perfect for children of all ages. Bring your family and enjoy the show now through April 13!

For a list of show times and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.centerpointtheatre.org/show/chitty-chitty-bang-bang/ or call 801-298-1302.

Photo Credit: Back, L-R, Ryan Zaugg and Alisa Woodbrey, Front, L-R, Kaylee Call and Preston Spencer

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