Bright lights, vivid backdrops, and an excited crowd filled the Saint Ignatius theater as students performed the production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The show marked the end of months of rehearsals.

The production was directed by Kevin Bellie, who guided the cast and crew through the fall.

“Our goal was to create a traditional, classic musical,” said Bellie. 

Rehearsals began on September 3 and ran five days a week for two hours. In the final two weeks, practices extended to four hours for students to work on their timing and choreography. 

One of the most difficult parts of the production was handling the technical and visual elements.

“We had two major challenges. There are many locations in the play and lots of scenery, most notably, the title character- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. In our small space, creating lots of scenery and making a moving car is very difficult,” said Bellie.

To create the flying car, students put in hours of work doing things like adding a fake horn, wings, and lights. The base was created out of wood and was put onto wheels in order to make it move. 

The mix of grade levels also allowed experienced performers to mentor younger students, creating a supportive environment throughout rehearsals. 

“Vocally, the style of a classic musical is very racing on the voice. It requires technical singing and a well-maintained instrument,” said Bellie. 

The positive culture and hard work helped students work through challenges and produce a successful performance.

“Being a Harlequin requires self-motivation and determination. It is not for the weak. This group was no exception. They were committed and up for the challenge,” said Bellie. 

“The dynamic in team work is that it is such a family. We all get super close because we’re together for hours a day after school. It’s kinda like a sports team because we have a similar time commitment as them,” said senior cast member Emmett Barron. 

Barron explained that long rehearsals helped build friendships within the cast, especially during group scenes that required cooperation. 

“We help each other out with dances or lines or whatever we need to make the show the best we can,” said Barron. 

Large group numbers became favorites for many students because they brought everyone together onstage with choreographed numbers. Audience members reacted with enthusiasm. The first performance took place on Friday, November 7.

One audience member, Alex Schmidt, said the production exceeded expectations and highlighted the talent within the student body.

“I’d say they all did very well. All the parts were very fun to watch,” said Schmidt.

Schmidt added that the visual elements, including the costumes and set design, made the performance feel lively. Many people in the audience pointed to the ensemble scenes as some of the most entertaining moments.

“I loved the song Hushabye Mountain because I used to watch the movie when I was little, and that was my favorite song from it. So that song and that scene definitely stuck out to me the most,” said Schmidt.

The strong audience reaction reflected the months of dedication from everyone involved in the production. Students learned to manage their time and discovered the importance of teamwork. 

“Being a part of the team and leading the freshmen was something that will really help me in the future,” said Barron. 

As the cast wrapped up their performances, members of the production team said they felt proud of what they achieved together. The experience left lasting memories for both the participants and the school community.

“Seeing the joy on the performers’ faces and seeing the crew take in their praise was a great adrenaline rush,” said Bellie.