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You'll Get A Bang Out Of This 'Chitty'

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By KATHY L. GREENBERG

Tribune correspondent

Published: December 11, 2008

TAMPA - The production of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is a marvel of imaginative innovation. From the top of Caractacus Potts' breakfast-making contraption to pretty Chitty's wingtips, the show will please audiences of all ages.

True to the 1968 Disney movie (starring Dick Van Dyke) that popularized Ian Fleming's children's book, the staged "Chitty" introduces Jeremy and Jemima Potts racing down an imaginary track in a wrecked and rusted car. They beg their inventor father, Caractacus (Steve Wilson), to buy the heap and clean her up, which he manages after scoring 30 shillings in a harebrained scheme.

Meanwhile, Caractacus and the children meet Truly Scrumptious (Kelly McCormick), the daughter of candy maker Lord Scrumptious (George Dvorsky). She helps Caractacus pitch Toot Sweets - the fruity whistle that is probably his only marketable invention.

The happy foursome then drives to the beach in the new and improved Chitty. Little do they know that Vulgarian spies Boris (Dirk Lumbard) and Goran (Scott Cote) have kidnapped Grandpa Potts (Dick Decareau) and taken him to Vulgaria, where the Baroness Bomburst (Elizabeth Ward Land) is planning a birthday party for her "chu-chi face" Baron (Dvorksy's second role).

Now we see Chitty in action, that driving/floating/flying machine, as they hurry to Vulgaria to rescue Grandpa. The evil Childcatcher (Oliver Wadsworth) and murderous, kid-loathing Baroness just can't outwit the Potts family. With their help, the Toymaker (Richard G. Rodgers) and salvaged children stage a coup, rescuing Vulgarians from the Bombursts' cruel regime and freeing the Pottses to fly home.

From the four alternates, 11-year-old Jeremy Lipton and 9-year-old Camille Mancuso played Caractacus' motherless children on opening night. They sang prettily as a duet and equally well when joined by the lithe and affable Wilson.

In fact, all of the singing and acting was good, with occasional superb moments. Land clearly relished her role as the Baroness. She was saucy, funny and an old flirt - a bit like Cloris Leachman on "Dancing with the Stars."

There really is something for everyone in this show: a team of dogs that no doubt were paid in treats, a bit of risque humor (the little ones won't get it), lots of color, and wonderful music and dancing.

But the last, and perhaps best, reason to see this show is the special effects. As Chitty soars into a star-filled evening sky, the magic of live theater and uninhibited imagination rise with it.

THEATER REVIEW
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

WHEN: through Sunday; 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Morsani Hall, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa

TICKETS: $39.50 to $72.50; call (813) 229-7827 or visit www.tbpac.org

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