Pop Singer Meat Loaf May Be Headed to Broadway

By Andrew Gans
04 Nov 2004

Meat Loaf, the rock singer who shot to fame with his "Bat Out of Hell" recording, may be part of the cast of Broadway's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

A spokesperson for the musical confirmed that the singer-actor, born Marvin Lee Aday, is currently in negotiations to play the Child Catcher in the upcoming musical. Twelve Angry Men's Philip Bosco is also in the midst of talks to portray the role of Grandpa Potts, and Raul Esparza has been confirmed to play dad Caractacus Potts.

Although no other casting has been officially announced, actors' spokespersons have told Playbill On-Line that Erin Dilly has been cast as Truly Scrumptious and Jan Maxwell as Baroness Bomburst. PBOL has also learned that the Broadway company may also include Marc Kudisch, Robert Sella and Chip Zien.

The musical, which is currently playing in London, is set to begin previews at the Ford Center March 27, 2005, with an official opening scheduled for April 28, 2005. Based on Ian Fleming's novel and the film of the same name, Chitty features music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. Song titles include "Truly Scrumptious," "Toot Sweets," "Hushabye Mountain" and the Oscar nominated title song "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will feature direction by Adrian Noble, musical staging by Gillian Lynne, sets and costumes by Anthony Ward, lighting by Mark Henderson and sound design by Andrew Bruce.

Meat Loaf made his Broadway debut in the 1975 production of The Rocky Horror Show and also appeared in the original musical Rockabye Hamlet. In addition to "Bat Out of Hell," his numerous recordings include "Midnight at the Lost and Found," "Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell" and "Fallen Angel." On screen the performer has been seen in "Leaerning Curves," "The Car Kid," "Wishcraft," "The Salton Sea," "Face to Face," "Polish Spaghetti," "Trapped," "The 51st State," "Focus," "Rustin," "The Balld of Lucy Whipple," "Blacktop," "Fight Club," "Crazy in Alabama," "Outside Ozona," "Black Dog," "Gunshy," "Leap of Faith," "Wayne's World," "The Squeeze," "Out of Bounds" and "Scavenger Hunt."

The Ford Center for the Performing Arts is located in Manhattan at 213 West 42nd Street. Beginning Nov. 21, those interested will be able to purchase tickets to the new musical by calling Ticketmaster (212) 307-4100.