‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ a magical ride for Syracuse Arts Council
Taylor Sachs, who plays Jeremy Potts on Friday and Saturday nights, and Leia Rollins, who plays Jemima Potts also on Friday and Saturday nights, sit inside the "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" car created by Brad Egginton for the Syracuse City Arts Council's production of the classic musical.
A beloved childhood story and film, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” is about to be brought to life by the Syracuse City Arts Council.
The SCAC will show its production, based on the 1968 film with music and lyrics written by Richard and Robert Sherman and book by Jeremy Sams, July 16-18 and 20 at Syracuse High School.
Much of the cast and crew grew up with the film, including director Heather Sachs of Syracuse.
“I knew it was something I wanted to do because of how it touched me and moved me when I was a kid,” Sachs said.
And a favorite part of the show for choreographer Phil Tuckett, of West Jordan, is that it is very nostalgic to him.
“I grew up with the movie, it was one of my favorites as a kid,” he said.
Becky Snarr, who plays Truly Scrumptious, enjoys being able to share her childhood with her own children. In fact, the show has become somewhat of a family affair for the Snarrs, as Becky Snarr’s husband, Ryan Snarr, will play opposite her as Caractacus Potts, and their four children have ensemble roles.
“Everybody in our family gets to be a part of it,” Becky Snarr said. “It’s a good family activity to do this summer.”
She also said it’s great that her kids get the chance to be involved with something bigger than they are.
“There’s something so fun too about having them listen to the songs in the car and having something we’re working on as a family,” Becky Snarr said.
Ryan Snarr is a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and was on tour on the East Coast for almost two weeks, and came home just in time for dress rehearsals at the high school.
“Hopefully when we get together we’ll be able to remember all the parts and music,” Becky Snarr joked.
The show’s story of a car that can fly, sending its new owners — widower Potts, his two children and Truly, the daughter of a rich candy manufacturer — off to a magical yet scary land of child catchers is one that most everyone can enjoy.
“Kids will eat it up, and it’s enjoyable for adults too,” said Lillian Dixon, of West Point, who plays the Baroness.
Sachs said the child catcher scared her when she was young, yet delighted her at the same time because it helped her conquer her fears. She loves the show even more considering it’s about a loving father, it has romance and a car that can do magical things.
It was fun to see adults singing “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” during the recent Syracuse Heritage Days Parade, Sachs said.
“So I’m not the only person who grew up with ‘Chitty’ and now we get to share it with our kids who didn’t get to grow up with the movie,” she said. “By putting it on the stage we get to share what we loved with our children.”
The fact that the SCAC and its production of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” is all volunteer run makes the show even more magical.
Becky Snarr said they’re something magical about people being willing to put in their time to work on a project like “Chitty” together.
“I just think it is such a good way to meet other people in the community and work on a project together — a big project like this you just appreciate all the roles that are played and all the talent that is given,” she said.
Tuckett said there is a sense of ownership that is pervasive throughout the entire ensemble.
“The cast is a very tight night cast,” Tuckett said. “Watching them, they kind of bond in a way most casts do not.”
While Tuckett doesn’t live in Syracuse, he enjoyed the experience of acting in a show with the SCAC a few years ago, saw a call on Facebook for ‘Chitty’ productions members and jumped at the chance.
“It’s worth the drive, they’ve got great support from the community,” he said. “It’s a rewarding experience because they’re so close and unified.”
The cast and crew does it all because they love it and want to tell a story, Sachs said.
“Especially when you’re doing a community show, it’s a collaboration of a ton of volunteers who all want to share a story and it’s pretty incredible when it comes together because of everyone’s contributions,” she said.
Curtain for “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” is at 7:30 p.m. all nights, with a 2 p.m. matinee on July 18. Syracuse High School is located at 665 S. 2000 West in Syracuse.
Evening tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for children and seniors. Matinee prices are $8 for adults and $6 for children and seniors. All tickets can be purchased for $1 less online at http://www.syracuseutaharts.org.
Contact reporter Sonja Carlson at 801-625-4229 or scarlson@standard.net. Follow her on Twitter @sonjacSE and like her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SonjaCarlsonSE.
PREVIEW
- WHAT: Syracuse Arts Council’s ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'
- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. July 16, 17 and 20, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. July 18
- WHERE: Syracuse High School, 665 S. 2000 West, Syracuse
- TICKETS: $6-$9, discount available if purchased online at www.syracuseutaharts.org