Playbill's new CHITTY article
Playbill's new CHITTY article
Playbill's new CHITTY article#0
Posted: 4/4/05 at 6:42pm
I saw this in the April Playbill when I saw Spamalot, and I know I've told a few of you about some really cute excerpts. Anyway, they've finally posted the article "Simply Scumptious" on playbill.com. It's mostly fluff, but some of it brings up a few interesting points.
The article says that the car is the most expensive stage prop ever... I found that kind of mind-blowing, but this must really be something.
Anyway, the real thing that I thought was great about this article is Raúl's take on the show:
Says Esparza: "Ian Fleming wrote this story for his son because his son said to him, 'Daddy, you love James Bond more than me.' And [Fleming] said, 'No, I don't.' So he wrote ["Chitty"] for his boy. And ultimately, the whole point of the story is about a father trying to prove to his kids that he loves them. Everybody can relate to that. And it's a family that wants to fly. And everybody wants to fly. And it's a family that's broken. And everybody is terrified that their family will break. And the parents lose their kids in the show. And what parent isn't terrified that they're going to lose their kids?"
I remember reading this at Spamalot, and thinking to myself "damn, this guy is so smart, that he can even find depth in this show." Snaps to Raúl, first of all. Second of all, I think maybe he does make a good point. And, if the Broadway production highlights the importance of a theme like that rather than the fluff and the effects like London seems to have done, maybe it will be a little bit better in non-visual terms. Since that doesn't appear to be the essence of CHITTY, I'm doubting it, but hey... there's hope, right?
Oh, and the last part about Raúl's fear of heights was kind of cute... I feel terrible for him!
So, yeah... discuss at will, I suppose.
Simply Scrumptious, from Playbill.com
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#1
Posted: 4/4/05 at 6:51pmgreat article... makes me want to CHITTY even more!
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#2
Posted: 4/4/05 at 6:53pm
I think it's time to dig up my phrase that made people laugh so much... I'm so blood excited!! 
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#3
Posted: 4/4/05 at 7:22pmHave I mentioned I love Raul Esparza?
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#4
Posted: 4/4/05 at 7:27pmYes, but do it again!
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#5
Posted: 4/5/05 at 1:43pm
Bump.
Because.... I can?
Come on, show some Chitty love.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/17/03
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#6
Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:36pmkevin cahoon deserves a tony nod
"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#7
Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:48pmI thought so too, but what are the chances of that happening?
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/17/03
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#8
Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:03pmprobably about the same as SPAMALOT failing to win at least 1 male actor category.
"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#9
Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:13pm
That is what I figured!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/17/03
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#10
Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:25pmI haven't seen a villain receive boos and hisses from an audience like that since back in the 1920's. And I imagine most of them were just kinda pissy to begin with, what with Prohibition and the Depression and all. Cahoon earns his boos, and there is no greater compliment for a villain.
"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#11
Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:33pmI loved him. He was my favorite thing about the show, and that is saying A LOT in itself. He absolutely blew me away. I was amazed by his performance becuase I found him to be the perfect villian, and yet still seductive at the same time. They could not have found a better man for the job.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/8/05
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#12
Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:42pm
People cry. People just weep at the joy of seeing this car flying out over the auditorium," explains Chitty's director, Adrian Noble, who leads an all-star team that includes choreographer Gillian Lynne and book writer Jeremy Sams. "Seeing something fly, and actually not know how it's happening, in front of your very eyes is truly amazing. Its impact [live in the theatre] is so much greater than it was in the film."
Okay so the car DOES or DOESN'T fly over the audience in the NY production? I heard from my cousin in London that it does in their production, but I didn't know if things had changed with the voyage to America.....Anyway, for anyone who knows, do you know how it's done...I have like a HORRIBLE fear of things overhead....I was just wondering what the effect actually consisted of...Thanks
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/17/03
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#13
Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:44pmand think of all the therapy the kids sitting close to the stage are going to need to get over the trauma. he's pretty unsettling, even for me. not to say he's so terrifying as to warrant therapy. it's actually nothing that couldn't be cured with an ice cream and some parental calming. But you know how those parents love to go the therapy/medication route these days.
"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/03
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#14
Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:58pm
All this talk about Cahoon is getting me even more excited for Saturday! Just bought my ticket a couple hours ago....I'd rather sit center and a little further back to get the whole effect. However, I'm almost regretting not getting up close and over to the side if Cahoon is really that freaky. Exciting! I love him. Oh, and a certain male lead of course. 
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#15
Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:04pmheh. I'm afraid of everything. My fear tolerance is about that of a wimpy four-year-old. Cahoon's DEFINITELY going to creep me out.
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#16
Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:09pm
So the Child-catcher receives boos and hisses when he appears?
When I saw the London production for the first time, when the child catcher came out and people started booing, it startled the daylights out of me. But I love audience participation like that so I soon got into it. After seeing the show a few times, the spies started getting boos as well -- just great fun!
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#17
Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:10pm
Lookit, Raúl's flying.
another playbill article... woo!
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/8/05
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#18
Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:20pmQuestion: According to Broadway.com (which it may just be that they haven't update) but Henry Hodges is still performing certain showings of Beauty and the Beast. I know he's in Chitty , but I didn't know if that was everynight and Broadway.com hadn't updated, or if "Jeremy" was played on certain performances by another young actor?? ....
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#19
Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:22pm
LOL!
Oh you are going to LOVE Kevin! He is amazing, and oh so creepy! And the costumes! Ahh! I was a very happy lady...
That is a cute article too. I love the plaid costume Raul wears. Green is such a good color on him.
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#20
Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:26pm
I don't really know what to say about the plaid.
I'll think of further comment in the near future, I'm sure. I am presently too afraid of it it comment.
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#21
Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:29pm
Just wait til you see it! You'll get what I mean!
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#22
Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:37pmI love him in green, but that outfit frightens me.
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#23
Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:45pmI, too, LOVE Raul, and I think I've mentioned before...this man is so damned CUTE!
re: Playbill's new CHITTY article#24
Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:52pm*sings "you're my little choochie face"*
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