Sherburne Music-Theater Society’s musical production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang performers: Taylor Proctor (Truly Scrumptious), Dalton Cross (Caractacus Potts), Clara Lingo (Jermima Potts) and Ryker Jones (Jeremy Potts). (Submitted photo)

SHERBURNE – On Friday and Saturday, August 18 and 19 at the Earlville Opera House, come and take a fantasmagorical musical adventure with Sherburne Music-Theater Society’s musical production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

Based on the beloved 1968 film version of Ian Fleming's children's book and featuring an unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers (who also scored Mary Poppins), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is one family-friendly blockbuster that audiences will find "Truly Scrumptious."

An eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts (Dalton Cross) sets about restoring an old racecar from a scrap heap with the help of his children, Jeremy and Jemima (Ryker Jones & Clara Lingo). They soon discover the car has magical properties, including the ability to float and take flight. Trouble occurs when the evil Baron Bomburst desires the magic car for himself. The family joins forces with Truly Scrumptious (Taylor Proctor) and batty Grandpa Potts (Michael Moren) to outwit the dastardly Baron and Baroness (Cameron Carpenter & Bethany Garrison) and their villainous henchman, the Child Catcher (Clark Vischi).

Other featured roles include The Toymaker (Rob Lingo), Junkman (Clark Vischi), Boris (Liza Taylor), Goran (Laura Koppenheffer), Lord Scrumptious & Coggins (Buff Lingo), Miss Phillips & Violet (Amelia Casscles), Sid (Brody Burke), and Turkey Farmer & Chef (McKennah Jones). The Children Ensemble consists of Ella Babcock, Olivia Babcock, Calista Beers, Vera Belush, Gideon Conant, Seth Hamilton, Sophia Jones, Alice Koppenheffer, Eleanor Koppenheffer, Russel Lingo, Lilly Morgan, Vincent Oldick, and Geoffrey Volzer, with Jeff Robertson as part of the Adult Ensemble. The Morris Dancers are played by Lilly Conant, McKennah Jones, Rob Lingo, and Clark Vischi. The Inventors are played by Amelia Casscles, Seth Hamilton, Evie Krivit, Buff Lingo, Jess Richardson, and Christian Vischi.

This production is directed by Jenni Larchar with musical direction by Kylie Davis, choreography by Jacquie Babcock and production management by Lindsey Hurley.

Filled with stage spectacle and unforgettable songs, including the Academy Award-nominated title song, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a high-flying, fun-filled adventure for the entire family. Show times are Friday, August 18th at 7:00pm, Saturday, August 19th at 1 p.m. And 7 p.m. – three opportunities to see this fun, family show.

Tickets are available by going to earlvilleoperahouse.showare.com. Find the calendar under “Browse Dates” and choose either August 18 or 19.

You may also stop by the Earlville Opera House and purchase tickets in person. $15 for Adults, $10 for Seniors/Students. PLEASE NOTE: Online Ticket sales are only open until noon on the day of performance. Only Cash/Check payments are accepted at the door.

Sherburne Music-Theater Society is an award-winning community theatre whose dedication to excellence, while providing an opportunity for talented local thespians and musicians to utilize their skills, has provided many audiences with memorable performances and statewide recognition. SMTS is a member of the Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS) and the American Association of Community Theatres (AACT).

This program is made possible with public funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The Earlville Opera House.

Over the last month and a half, Sherburne Music-Theater Society (SMTS) has been hard at work on the heartbreaking and riveting drama 26 Pebbles by Eric Ulloa. The small ensemble cast of 7 players has been exploring in depth the world of Newtown, Connecticut and the surrounding community in the aftermath of the December 14, 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school where 20 students and 6 adults died. It was 9:35am when Adam Lanza shot through the front doors of the school armed with a semi-automatic rifle and two semi-automatic pistols, plus several rounds of ammunition. At 9:40am it was all over. 5 minutes, 154 bullets, 26 dead. On June 16 & 17th, SMTS will present “26 Pebbles” by Eric Ulloa at the Earlville Opera House.

”26 Pebbles” tells the story and experiences of the Sandy Hook Community through the eyes of the parents and community members. The playwright, Eric Ulloa, interviewed 60 members of the Newtown, CT community in writing this show which covers several topics from gun violence to mental illness to school safety. The play avoids taking a hard stance on gun control issues and rather it focuses on a community trying to cope with a tragedy and ends with hopeful messages.

The ensemble cast consists of 7 actors who each play 2-3 characters, based on the people of the Sandy Hook community. The cast is made up of experienced local actors who have approached the play and their characters with thoughtfulness and sensitivity to the subject matter. “This has been a dream cast to work with and I feel very lucky”, says Colleen Law-Tefft, the director of the show and longtime SMTS member. “They have each stepped up to the task of portraying these complex roles and I cannot wait for people to see their performances.” The cast includes Ron Creighton, Dalton Cross, Lori Crumb, Ben Gorton, Marty Kuhn, Debi Pierce, and Linda Reese.

SMTS is pleased to be performing once again at the Earlville Opera House, 18 East Main St. in Earlville, NY. Tickets are $10 for students/seniors, $15 for adults and are available at the Earlville Opera House (315-691-3550), on their website, and from cast members. Don’t miss this show! June 16 & 17th at 7:00 pm. Play contains sensitive themes not appropriate for all ages. “26 Pebbles” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

This event is made possible with public funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The Earlville Opera House.

Since its official incorporation in 1970, Sherburne Music-Theater Society has become an award-winning community theatre who are dedicated to excellence, while providing an opportunity for talented local thespians and musicians to utilize their skills. They have provided many audiences with memorable performances and statewide recognition. SMTS is a member of the Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS). For more information, please find us on Facebook or email us at info@sherburnemusictheater.org