MANILA – Resorts World Manila in cooperation with Ultimate Shows, Inc. opened its latest theater production Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for the first time in the country, at the award-winning Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT).
Thirty-four years after its movie version was released in 1968, the English musical was first staged at the London Palladium in 2002 and became its longest running show ever with a three and a half year run. A UK tour also ran from 2005 until 2008.
Prior to the Manila production, the musical was also staged on Broadway, New York; the Capitol Theater, Sydney; the State Theater, Munich; and Singapore’s Esplanade, among others.
Known to deliver world-class productions that champion Filipino talent, RWM showcases another all-Filipino cast led by stage actor Gian Magdangal who comes back to the country after three years of performing theater roles in Hong Kong Disneyland’s The Golden Mickeys and Mickey and the Wondrous Book, and as one of the main performers for Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan.
Gian takes on the role of eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, while young yet seasoned actress Yanah Laurel plays his love interest Truly Scrumptious.
“I was very excited when I got the part. I’m really a fan of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and it was a big part of my childhood,” shared Laurel. “It will appeal to Filipino audiences because it’s a spectacle of a show, the music is beautiful, and for those who are unfamiliar, it’s going to be an exciting treat for them because every single number is a production number,” added the two-time Aliw Awards Best Actress in a Musical nominee.
For the roles of the Potts children, 12-year old Noel Comia, a two-time Aliw Awardee for Best Child Performer alternates with 11-year old Albert Silos who has also been cast in several stage productions in the past including RWM’s The King And and Cinderella.
Isabeli Araneta-Elizalde also returns to the NPAT stage as Jemina Potts, after her breakthrough performance in RWM’s Annie which won her the Discovery of the Year award in last year’s Aliw Awards. Alternating with Isabeli is Zoey Alvarade who herself has performed in numerous stage productions including It’s a Giant World; Jewel of Antilles: Two Worlds, One Island; Seussical Jr.; Wizard of Oz; and Greased Lightning.
Also cast in the production are Mako Alonso as Boris; Reb Atadero as Goran; James Paolleli as Grandpa Potts; Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as the Baroness; Raymund Concepcion as Baron Bomburst; Michael Williams as the Toymaker; and Lorenz Martinez as the Childcatcher.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is directed by Jaime Del Mundo, with assistant direction by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, artistic direction by Michael Williams, and the musical score provided by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rodel Colmenar.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs until November 12, 2017 at the NPAT in RWM. Visit www.rwmanila.com or call (632) 908-8833 for more upcoming news on RWM’s 8th musical production.
