Full Cast Announced for ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!’
Resorts World Manila in cooperation with Ultimate Shows, Inc. is set to stage for the first time in the country, Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on October 21 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 the Filipino, RWM finally reveals its all-Filipino cast for the upcoming family musical 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. He most recently played Jack Kelly in a local production of Newsies.
Gian Magdangal with Isabeli Araneta-Elizalde and Albert Silos; photo c/o Resorts World Manila
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. “I think 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 role of Jeremy Potts, 12-year old Noel Comia, a two-time Aliw Awardee for Best Child Performer and recent Cinemalaya Fest Best Lead Actor for his role in the movie “Kiko Boksingero”, alternates with 11-year old Albert Silos who has been cast in RWM’s The King And I and Cinderella, and was nominated in the 2015 Metro Manila Filmfest New Wave Category as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the independent movie “Turo Turo”.
The Cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; photo c/o Resorts World Manila
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 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.
The Cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; photo c/o Resorts World Manila
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be directed by Jaime Del Mundo, with assistant direction by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and artistic direction by Michael Williams, with the music of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rodel Colmenar.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang opens on October 21 at the NPAT in RWM.
You can buy tickets HERE.
For more details about what’s happening in the Manila theater scene, please view our Theater Calendar.
