On Broadway | Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang
Reviewed by: Susan Granger

MODA MAG.COM -- Hilton Theater, 2004-2005 season)
     You know producers are family-friendly when they begin shows at 7 p.m. - and this lavish, spectacular adaptation of Ian Fleming's whimsical book is aimed at children and their parents.
     
The story revolves around Caractacus Potts (Raul Esparza), an eccentric inventor/widower who delights his wistful twins (Henry Hodges, Ellen Marlow) by purchasing and refurbishing an old motorcar which they name Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - thereby incurring the wrath of two spies (Chip Zien, Robert Sella) from Vulgaria. (Think Nazi Germany!) It seems the Baron Bomburst (Marc Kudisch) desperately wants the magical car, while his evil Baroness (Jan Maxwell, channeling Marlene Dietrich) so loathes children that she employs the services of a creepy Childcatcher (Kevin Cahoon) to keep them off the streets. Joining in the fun are Grandpa Potts (Philip Bosco) and Truly Scrumptious (Erin Dilly), the daughter of a confectionery tycoon.
     
Jeremy Sams' book is adapted from Roald Dahl's film script with rhythmic music and sweetly repetitious lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert Sherman ("Mary Poppins"), but it's Anthony Ward's whimsical Rube Goldberg-like props, imaginative scenery (particularly the Potts' windmill home) and enchanting costumes that steal the show, along with choreography by Gillian Lynne ("Cats"). I suppose it's mean to quibble with a gleaming mechanical marvel that "flies" right over the first few rows of the orchestra, but I do wish director Adrian Noble had given Chitty a bit more personality through surprising gadgetry. You know, bells and whistles. But the amount of promotional merchandising in the lobby is preposterous!