Chitty Chitty Bang Bang finally has a technical SNAFU, after an impressive number of glitch-free shows.

According to this article in Playbill:

Esparza, Zien and Sella Entertain as Chitty Car Halts the Show

By Andrew Gans
31 Aug 2005

The much-written-about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flying automobile halted the Aug. 30 performance of the new musical at the Hilton Theatre.

Due to an operator error, the 7 PM performance of the musical was delayed mid-show for about 50 minutes, according to Michael Hartman, a spokesperson for the family musical. "We'd gone 34 previews and 142 performances without a hitch," said Hartman, "and Chitty is still the most reliable car on Broadway and beyond."

When the Chitty car failed to fly, several of the show's cast members came onstage to entertain the crowd, who seemed to relish the impromptu performances. Among those offering impersonations, stand-up comedy or songs were Raul Esparza, who plays Caractacus Potts; Chip Zien, who portrays Goran; Robert Sella, who is cast as Boris; and the show's two children, Henry Hodges (Jeremy) and Ellen Marlow (as Jemima).

Although the London production of Chitty had several problems with its flying car, the Aug. 30 performance marked the first time the Broadway vehicle failed to initially fly. In fact, the problems with the London car were examined prior to Broadway, and the car was updated for the Broadway run.

"Although we certainly wouldn't want this to happen again, the most was made out of the situation," Hartman added. "And, the problem is fixed and Chitty will fly tonight."

Actually, I first heard about the Chitty breakdown from one of my Plane Crazy cast members who had been at the performance. He said the arm that was supposed to lift the car up was misaligned so it kept jamming into the car.

Apparently, the cast went into the audience, and chatted up the kids who were waving the little "chitty cars" they had brought to the show. Still, I imagine 50 minutes is a long time to be stranded in a theater with lot of little kids with little attention spans! Kudos to the actors who stepped up to the challenge!

Now, let's hope our full-scale 707 doesn't malfunction on stage, cause there's no telling what could happen if those jet engines come loose from their moorings and go screaming into the audience...

Err, just kidding. It's a 90% scale mock-up...

Err, just kidding again. There will be not actual jet engines at any Plane Crazy performance. Let's face it, we blew our SFX budget on those little liquor bottles you get off the in-flight drink carts.

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