Chitty Chitty to Broadway?

[KB]

Posted: 6/12/03 at 2:54pm

Just saw the Playbill news about the London cast change

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/80112.html

and was curious if anyone's heard any updates?

KB

[theaterbuff]

Posted: 6/12/03 at 3:02pm

Every couple of months I hear rumors about this, with Michael Ball as well but nothing ever confirmed.

TheaterBuff

[sharon1]

Posted: 6/12/03 at 3:12pm

According to The Stage today CCBB will be into the profits come September. That is a fast recoup of their initial 6 1/2 pounds. The show will be offering special kidz rates and family rates at that time. Not a bad idea. They are into talks about Broadway in 2004. How cool is that. My Fair Lady, Fiddler and CCBB. I can be a kid again.

[babyface]

Posted: 6/12/03 at 3:52pm

Coming into the black should help in getting Chitty to Broadway. Michael Ball has always seemed reluctant to come over though.

[sharon1]

Posted: 6/12/03 at 4:05pm

He has recently been quoted has saying he wishes to come back. He was recently to do a BBC program about Broadway. I think any reluctance was due to, I believe, Frank Rich's lambasting of him for Aspects. I think Frank Rich. He was brutal. But that was years ago. I would love to have him back. He has a fantastic voice

[kec]

Posted: 6/12/03 at 4:16pm

On one of Michael's concert videos, he is shown saying he would love to return to Broadway. And he also make a similar statement in the question and answer section of his official website. As to why it's taken so long for him to return, it could be he was waiting for the right "vehicle" :) . (Sorry, I just couldn't resist!)

I sure hope the rumors are true and Chitty will be flying to Broadway in 2004. And when it does, I very much hope Michael will be there too.

[sharon1]

Posted: 6/12/03 at 4:28pm

Babyface
Coming into the black so soon is another point that should be made about how the show has a cross section of appeal. That I think should be important on Broadway at this time. You need adult fans and kid fans who will bug their parents to take them to the theater. This way theater as a whole could win. I hope so

[John4763]

Posted: 6/12/03 at 7:49pm

One rumor was that they couldn't find a large enough venue.

But with La Boheme closing, isn't the Broadway one of the bigger theatres?

[DofB5]

Posted: 6/12/03 at 8:23pm

I've got my fingers crossed for Mr. B and Chitty to make the jump across the pond. I'm already making plans to be there opening night!

:)

D

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 6/12/03 at 8:43pm

If they try to bring Ball, I hope it crashes on the way over. I don't like him.

[sharon1]

Posted: 6/12/03 at 8:44pm

I hope to join you. I am hoping to see the show a bunch with friedns and thei children

[JakeB]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 7:40am

We're all eagerly awaiting the announcement of Michael Ball's replacement because he leaves on July 21st and no new Caractacus has yet been publicised. Whispers say that it is Gary Wilmot, a very good musical theatre star over here.

[PigletH13]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 9:02am

Well, everyone who knows me knows I adored this musical. I can only hope that they do bring it over here...and that Richard O'Brien plays the child catcher again! I had been told by several people that CCBB was not as popular here in the states as I thought it to be...but when I was growing up...many moons ago....CCBB was huge!

Personally I would love to see Doug Sills as Caractus if MB says no to the Bway move!

[sharon1]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 12:21pm

Broadway Guy
I am sorry you feel that way. But I do like his voice and he seems to do well in the lead of CCBB

[kec]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 4:44pm

John, way back when, the rumor was that Chitty was going into the Ford Center. But that apparently fell through when the current occupant (42nd Street?) didn't close. I don't remember the Broadway theatre, so I couldn't say if it would work or not. It has to have a storage area big enough to hold the car.

Broadwayguy, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I think you're in the minority here :)

Piglet, if you look at the IMDB and the Amazon.com reviews for the film version, you will find a lot of people who love this movie and/or have fond memories of it from childhood. It was one of my favorite movies as well, and the stage version is just wonderful. I agree with you about Richard O'Brien -- he was one scary child catcher, although I hear the current one, Derick Griffiths, is even scarier!

In addition to Michael Ball and Richard O'Brien, I would love to see Brian Blessed reprise his role as the Baron. I thought he was just great -- very, very funny.

[Deannaizme]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 4:48pm

I read the book many times when I was a child, and I loved the story. I'd love to see this on Broadway; it would be a very fun evening.

:)

[DofB5]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 7:47pm

I bet Richard O'Brien is GREAT as the Child Catcher! I loved "Rocky Horror". Spent many a midnight at the movie armed with my toast, TP--Scott's, of course, lighter, newspaper, rice, etc, etc.

Well, Sharon, the plan to date is to try to make it up for the Opening night. I've never been to one and it would add to a list of firsts for me. There are a few of us fans that are planning on trying to meet, have dinner and go to the show. Last count had us up to six, I think.

The only fly in the ointment--for me at least--is that the entire trip hinges on Mr. Ball being in the show. I've wanted to see him for years and I love his voice. :) If he's not, unless there's a really GREAT replacement actor, I'll wait for the road show. I'm not going to come all that way to see an unknown or someone I don't really like.

Here's hoping all goes as we wish.

D

[sharon1]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 7:57pm

I too would love to see Brian Blessed. I just love him to bits. He is like a cuddly bear. MB is a given.

[kec]

Posted: 6/14/03 at 1:51am

D, unfortunately I don't think there will be a "road" production of Chitty, because of the car requirements. Before the show went into the Palladium, the stage area was gutted to make way for all the equipment necessary to make the car float and fly. It's just not going to be possible to do that in theatres across the country -- it would be way too expensive.

Sharon I agree -- Brian Blessed is like a cuddly bear. He can also be like a big kid :). In December I was at a Carol Service in London which featured members of the Chitty cast. When it was Mr. Blessed's turn, he bounded up to the pulpit, saying
"It's my turn!" After fussing with his papers he then asked us, in that booming voice of his (which just resonated in the church), "Can you all hear me?" We laughingly assured him we did, and he did the best reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas I have ever heard.

Yes, Mr. B was there as well -- he sang Amazing Grace, which moved me to tears! :)

[DofB5]

Posted: 6/14/03 at 10:03am

A ROAD show would be natural for a car like Chitty to make, Kec!
LOL!

They did manage to get that helicopter from Miss S. into the TBPAC. I don't know why they couldn't get Chitty in there as well. I can't speak for anywhere else. IF they can't get Chitty to fit, they could just send Mr. Ball. It would be rough, I know, but I think I could handle it.

Ok, who is this Brian Blessed guy? Website? Photo? MP3? Please!

D

[sharon1]

Posted: 6/14/03 at 11:04am

I think if you got to www.chittythemusical.uk.com there might be a photo He is wonderful and funny. Great speaking voice.

[JakeB]

Posted: 6/14/03 at 1:21pm

Chitty couldn't tour, the car is built into the stage, very expensive procedure. It would have to be simplified a great deal and the magic would be gone. The car is built BENEATH the stage so the theatres that take it have to have space underneath.

[sharon1]

Posted: 6/14/03 at 1:36pm

You are correct. So probably for Broadway theyneed a theater that may need renovation to the stage area. So the remodel could be part of the cost of production. Much like the old palladium stage was.

[kec]

Posted: 6/14/03 at 4:24pm

Brian Blessed -- if you go to the link below, you'll see a photo of him as the Baron with Nichola McAuliffe, who played the Baroness. I'm sure you've seen him before -- he's been in many things over the years, such as Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, Much Ado About Nothing (he played Emma Thompson's father, Antonio) and in the A&E miniseries Tom Jones (Squire Westen). He also appeared in the London Original Cast of CATS.
Brian Blessed & Nichola McAuliffe

[DofB5]

Posted: 6/14/03 at 8:00pm

Ahh yes, I do think I have seen him in quite a few things. Thanks as always, Kec.

I went to your link, Sharon, but he wasn't listed as part of the cast. I understand they just went through a cast change--As I don't know if he was in the old or the new, I can't say if the site is updated or behind.

D