Ridgemont Local Schools students are enthusiastically preparing for their musical comeback this weekend when they present the whimsical musical, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” following the story of an inventor and his children’s ventures into the fictional world of Vulgaria.
Director and choreographer Lucretia Grogan said because of COVID-19 concerns the last two years, the district has not staged a spring musical since 2019.
“We’re so happy to be back this year, and ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ has such fun and enjoyable music and storyline to share with our community.
“As a smaller school, many of our musical participants are involved in spring sports as well, so it’s a bit of a juggling act to get everyone here on rehearsal days. But the kids have been putting forth an amazing effort to be ready for the performances.”
The musical is presented at the Ridgeway Activity Campus Gymnasium, with the first performance Friday night, followed by showtimes at 7 p.m. today, Saturday, March 26, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 27. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. tonight, and at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
The eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts is played by junior Kevin Eckstein, who sets about restoring an old race car with the help of his children, Jeremy, played by Brenden Eckstein, and Jemima, played by Jillian Kearns.
Soon, they discover the car has magical properties, including the ability to float and fly. However, trouble occurs when the evil Baron Bomburst, played by Connor Eckstein, desires the magic car for himself.
The only senior in the production, Whitney Bailey, plays Caractacus’ love interest Truly Scrumptious. She joins the inventor and his children in their travels to Vulgaria to rescue Grandpa Potts, played by Will Browning, who has been kidnapped by the bumbling duo of Boris and Goran, played by Olivia Newland and Abby McElfresh, respectively.
Along the way, Caractacus and his children and Truly face down the tyrannical rulers of Vulgaria, including Baroness Bomburst, played by Matty McClain, who has outlawed children and has employed a Childcatcher in the kingdom, played by John Seeley.
Among the cast members includes several sets of siblings, including Kevin Eckstein and his triplet sister and brothers, Ruth (who is in the ensemble), Brendan and Connor, who are in eighth-grade.
“It is definitely a family affair, with some of the cast members also having siblings in the stage crew or joining in the little kid cast,” Kevin and the triplet’s mother, Emily Eckstein, said during the Wednesday rehearsal. “It is nice to see the kids supporting each other.”
Tickets are can be purchased at https://www.ridgemont.k12.oh.us/TicketBoxOffice.aspx. Limited tickets will be available at the door.
Other cast members include: Lord Scrumptious, played by Jevin Henderson; The Toymaker, played by Hannah Houser; Coggins, played by Hannah Houser; Junkman, played by John Seeley; Sid, played by John Seeley; Violet, played by Matty McClain; Miss Phillips, played by Brooklyn Large; Turkey Farmer, played by Jevin Henderson.
Ensemble members include Brooklyn Browning, Addy Coy, Ruth Eckstein, Isaac Hanson, Lydia Houser, Willow Kearns, Amara Legge, Caleb McCarthy, Carter McCarthy, Thomas Newland, Josh Stacklin, Aiden Swavel.
The crew includes: Weston McKinkey, Connor Manns, Colton Manns, Colton Bailey and Dominique Curl.
Kay Dudgeon serves as the assistant director.