Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Musical
Writers:Jeremy Sams Ray Roderick Robert B. Sherman Richard M. Sherman
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Overview
Synopsis
Based on the 1968 film of the same name, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tells the story of an eccentric inventor named Caractacus Potts who, with the help of his children Jeremy and Jemima, sets about restoring an old race car from a scrap heap. Soon, they discover the car has magical properties including the ability to float and take flight. However, trouble occurs when the evil Baron Bomburst desires the magic car for himself. Along with the delectable Truly Scrumptious, Caractacus and the children head to Vulgaria to rescue Grandpa Potts (who has been kidnapped by the bumbling duo, Boris and Goran) and rid the kingdom of its tyrannical, child-hating rulers. With a fantastical flying car, a heartwarming love story, and whole bunch of teamwork, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a fun-filled musical for all the family.
Show Information
- Book
- Jeremy Sams , Ray Roderick
- Music
- Robert B. Sherman , Richard M. Sherman
- Lyrics
- Robert B. Sherman , Richard M. Sherman
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968 film)
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2002
- Genres
- Comedy, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- England, Vulgaria, 1960s
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Adult, Child, Early Teen, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters, Large Cast
Context
The stage musical of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is based on the 1968 film of the same name, produced by Albert R. Broccoli. The musical was adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams and control of the songs is split between EMI and MTI. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang the Musical premiered at the London Palladium in 2002, directed by Adrian Noble and choreographed by Dame Gillian Lynne. It became the longest running show at the Palladium, closing in 2005. The flying Chitty car used in this production holds
to read the context for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang opens in Mr. Coggins’ junkyard, where Jemima and Jeremy Potts are imagining having great adventures in a run-down race car. Mr. Coggins tells them that the car was once a huge success, but it fell into disrepair after it was sabotaged by the Vulgarians during the British Grand Prix of 1910 (“Opening”). Jemima and Jeremy love the car and are distraught when Mr. Coggins arranged to sell the car to two bumbling Vulgarian spies, Boris and Goran. They are in
to read the plot for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Treble/Boy Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Treble/Boy Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
Overture — Orchestra
Prologue — Company
You Two — Caractacus, Jeremy & Jemima
*Toot Sweets — Caractacus, Truly, Lord Scrumptious & Ensemble
Act English — Boris and Goran
Hushabye Mountain — Caractacus
*Me Ol' Bamboo — Caractacus & Ensemble
Posh! — Grandpa Potts, Jeremy & Jemima
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" — Caractacus, Truly, Jeremy & Jemima, & Grandpa Potts
Truly Scrumptious" — Jeremy, Jemima & Truly
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (Reprise) — Caractacus, Truly, Jeremy & Jemima
Chitty Takes Flight" — Company
Act Two
Entr'acte — Orchestra
*Vulgarian National Anthem — Company
*The Roses of Success — Grandpa Potts & The Inventors
Teamwork — Caractacus, Toymaker, Truly & Juvenile Ensemble
Chu-Chi Face — Baron & Baroness Bomburst
*The Bombie Samba — Baroness, Baron & Ensemble
*Doll On A Music Box/Truly Scrumptious (Reprise) — Truly & Caractacus
Teamwork (Reprise) — Toymaker & Company
Chitty Flies Home (Finale) — Company
Editor’s Note: The following songs used to be included in the score but have been omitted since the 2008 US tour: "Come to the Funfair", "Kiddy-Widdy-Winkies", "Us Two/Chitty Prayer". "Kiddy-Widdy-Winkies" (originally sung by the Childcatcher) was replaced with a version of "Lovely Lonely Man" from the original film, sung by Truly Scrumptious."Kiddie-Widdy-Winkies" was put back in the 2012 Australian production, but it has not been included in the lineup of songs since then.
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher