Chad Matchette has a habit of taking on big projects – witness the past productions of Shrek the Musical and The Addams Family that have graced the Michael J. Fox Theatre stage over the past two years.
This year, though, Matchette and his compatriots with Align Entertainment may just be topping themselves for ambition: they have to make a car fly.
It’s all in the spirit of the family favourite Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, opening Feb. 5 in Burnaby.
Matchette, who’s directing the production, says the musical was the perfect choice for the Coquitlam-based theatre company because it hits all the notes Align Entertainment is looking for.
“It’s family friendly, good for everybody, with lots of fun parts, lots of great music, and it hadn’t been done here before,” he says. “It’s a big one, that’s for sure.”
The musical is based on the classic 1968 film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book, and Matchette loves the huge nostalgia value in the offering for those who remember it being on TV every Christmas – and who can sing along with the title song.
“It’s such a family favourite,” he says. “Everybody on the face of the planet knows that song.”
The story follows the adventures of eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts (Kevin Michael Cripps), who sets about restoring an old race car with the help of his children, Jeremy and Jemima (Dawson Vogt and Jaime MacLean) – only to discover that the car has magical properties.
Trouble occurs when they have to keep the car away from the bad guys – and Matchette promises huge fun for all ages as the story unfolds on stage.
He’s not revealing any secrets about how said flying car will be brought to life – but he laughingly admits that the company has spent somewhat less than the £750,000 legendarily spent on the prop for the production’s original London run.
The cast includes Burnaby residents Katie Purych, featured as the baroness, along with ensemble members Jesse Alvarez, Sabrielle McCurdy-Foreman, Stef Stanley and Marcia Yu, plus children’s ensemble members Avril and Sophia Brigden.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is onstage at the Michael J. Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Ave., Feb. 5 to 20. See www.alignentertainment.ca for details and to buy tickets.
