Performing arts go out with a chitty and a bang

Caractacus Potts, the main character in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, struggles to make ends meet as an inventor and father of two in early 20th century England. His children, Jeremy and Jemima, do not attend school and his father roams around telling stories of his great, imaginary adventures. When Potts’ children beg him to purchase their favorite toy, a broken race-car, he does what he can as a caring father to gather the money. Potts uses his recently-made connections with Truly Scrumptious, the wealthy daughter of a candy shop owner, to aide his newest money-making invention: a candy recorder.

The owner of the candy shop ate up the idea of a sweet musical instrument and Potts eventually earns enough money to purchase the car and turn it into a wonderful, working, flying machine named Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from its engine’s noise. Meanwhile, the childish king of Vulgaria hears of this and orders a mission to acquire the car as a toy for himself.

With the aid of various volunteers and a team of directors and engineers, the performers laid out a comical musical. They complemented their performance with a modern twist into a musical set in antique times with cleverly placed political, medical and societal jokes. Donald Trump, vegetarians and genitalia all received honorable mentions. Each thespian threw themselves into their role, captivating the audience with every song, dance, and line. The musical enchanted the audience through a well assembled set and an unbelievable wardrobe. With eccentric characters, the flying car was surprisingly the least extraordinary aspect of this musical.

High schools rarely utilize their band and orchestra’s talent for musicals, but conductor Mr. Jorge Padron and director Kennan Torgerson united the teams, to pull off a show public high school performing arts teachers dream of. Mr. Bryce Goodnature and Brad Sensale managed a flying car and built a set of epic proportions while sound engineer Kevin Cerchiai and spot operator George Cerchiai kept technical mishaps at little to none.

The show operated more fluidly than the engine of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.