Fantasmagorical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Regional Premiere in Hale Centre Theatre's 2013 Season

The most fantasmagorical stage musical in the history of everything will be a regional premiere at  Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City, Utah.
 
"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" joins "The 39 Steps," "No Time for Sergeants," "Ragtime," and "Tarzan: The Musical" in the 2013 season. Hale Centre Theatre is the highest attended theater in the 7,000-member American Association of Community Theatre.

With a sensational score by the renowned Sherman Brothers, including such unforgettable songs as "Truly Scrumptious," "Toot Sweets," "Hushabye Mountain," and, of course, its Oscar-nominated title song "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," the stage adaptation "burst onto the world famous London Palladium stage in 2002," wrote London Sunday Times' John Peter. "The fantastic adventures of this out-of-the-ordinary car that flies through the air and sails the seas are reaching a new generation through an enthralling and enchanting stage musical."

"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" broke every box office record at the famous London theater. It was the longest-running show at the Palladium, beating "Oliver!" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."  The Broadway production enjoyed a run of 285 performances. The original United Artists motion picture has been a firm family classic since its 1968 premiere.

Brothers Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman had been writing for years at Disney, where they'd given the world one delightfully catchy song after another and then delivered their brilliant song score for "Mary Poppins." They had a habit of being able to write a tune that was instantly hummable, tunes you simply could not get out of your head. And so it was with their songs for "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."

The regional premiere of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" follows Hale Centre Theatre's critically lauded and sold-out run of "Zorro: The Musical," the company's second national premiere.

Hale Centre Theatre's schedule includes the following array of musicals and comedies:

"The 39 Steps" - Dec. 31, 2012 - Feb. 2, 2013

Launching the 2013 season is the romantic comedy and winner of two Tony Awards, "The 39 Steps." Adapted from the Alfred Hitchcock classic, this romantic mystery comedy begins when Richard Hannay finds a strange woman dead in his house. Four dizzying actors play multiple roles that take them through the country and the city and from the train to a Scottish Inn. Emotions rise and fall as this production brings loathing and romance. Chris Clark, director.

"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" - Feb. 15 - April 13, 2013 (rights pending)

This classic musical begins when a racing car's career comes to an end with a damaging crash during a Grand Prix race. The car ends up in an old garage where it is to be sold and melted down to liquid ore. Two young children intercede and beg their father to purchase the car, and the magical adventures begin. John Sweeney, director.

"No Time for Sergeants" - April 23 - May 25, 2013

Back by popular demand at Hale Centre Theatre, "No Time for Sergeants" is a 1956 Broadway hit by Ira Levin that follows a man as he is drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. The military will never be the same after William Stockdale completely unravels the army and ruins his sergeant's career. Jennifer Hohl, director.

"Ragtime" - June 5 - July 27, 2013

This life-changing story of the blooming of America is the recipient of three Tony Awards and is a five-time Drama Desk Award winner. "Ragtime" tells the story of three groups in America: upper-class Caucasians, African-Americans and Eastern European immigrants. Memories of Ellis Island, Houdini and Henry Ford are woven into a poignant patchwork of the separation of the classes. Chris Clark, director.

"Tarzan: The Musical" - Aug. 9 - Sept. 28, 2013

Disney's "Tarzan," featuring music by Phil Collins, will come to life in this recently honed telling of the story of an orphan jungle boy who is raised by a nurturing family of apes. Then, surprised by a stranger who looks like him, he uncovers a world that was once his. Dave Tinney, director.

"Brigadoon" - Oct. 9 - Nov. 30, 2013

A Tony Award-winner, "Brigadoon" begins when a spell is cast and the enchanTEd Scottish village of Brigadoon awakens for only one day every one hundred years. Tommy, a jaded American, happens upon it and will find out if love can bloom in one day. Dave Tinney, director.

"A Christmas Carol" - Dec. 9 - Dec. 23, 2013

In Hale Centre Theatre's nationally acclaimed, 29th annual production, adapted by Richard Wilkins and Barlow Bradford, Marley's Ghost reminds the stingy Ebenezer Scrooge that "mankind should be his business." Dickens' carol of redemption seeks to reclaim Scrooge's heart. Audiences travel back in time as Tiny Tim once again teaches Ebenezer Scrooge about compassion, giving and love. The critically acclaimed holiday gift adapted by Wilkins and Bradford gives full burnish to Charles Dickens' beloved tale.  John Sweeney, director.

Season tickets will go on sale to current season ticket holders in June and to the general public August 1. For ticket information, call 801-984-9000, visit Hale Centre Theatre's website, www.halecentretheatre.org, or visit the box office at 3333 S. Decker Lake Drive in West Valley City.

Since HCT was founded in 1985, it has performed to more than four million patrons. Hale Centre Theatre provides more opportunities for actors than any other theater company in Utah, casting more than 350 roles annually. More than 6,300 actors, including Merrill Osmond, have performed on Hale Centre Theatre's stage during the theater's 27-year history.

Several actors have usEd Hale Centre Theatre as a stepping-stone to Broadway and national touring companies and have been featured in productions of "Wicked," "Aida," "Phantom of the Opera," "Les Misérables," "Ragtime" and "Miss Saigon." Hale Centre Theatre alumnus Will Swenson was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in "Hair" and is currently playing Tick/Mitzi in "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert" on Broadway.

Blair Howell's career is in the professional publishing arena (for more years than he cares to remember), with a longstanding interest in theater. He found it to be great fun to live in New Canaan, Connecticut, with easy access to the Great White Way. But now, Blair lives in Salt Lake City (a long, not interesting story). The much-lamented move has allowed him to be more active in regional theater. He now covers theater and the arts for the Deseret News, Utah's oldest, continuously-published metro daily newspaper, and has written for various theater-related national magazines and websites.

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