By Andrew Gans
22 Nov 2004

An advertisement in the Sunday New York Times confirmed much of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang casting that had previously been reported by Playbill On-Line.

The company of the Broadway production — which begins performances at the renamed Hilton Theatre March 27, 2005 — will include Raul Esparza as Caractacus Potts, Erin Dilly as Truly Scrumptious, Philip Bosco as Grandpa Potts, Marc Kudisch as Baron Bomburst and Jan Maxwell as Baroness Bomburst. The cast will also include Robert Sella, most recently on Broadway in Side Man, and Into the Woods' Chip Zien. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will officially open April 28, 2005.

Based on Ian Fleming's novel and the film of the same name, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 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 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.

Tickets for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang are now available by calling Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4100 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

The Hilton Theatre (currently the Ford Center for the Performing Arts) is located in Manhattan at 213 West 42nd Street. The box office will officially open for business Feb. 21, 2005.