There’s another underutilized resource in our greater community that I’d like to bring to everyone’s attention. No, I’m not talking about the $20 cheese bag at the Farmer’s Market. I’ve covered that. And no, I’m not talking about the bucket of fries at the Buns in Uptown. Mmmmm fries … in a bucket. Both these items are, indeed, underappreciated but they’re also an express ticket towards blood sugar issues. I’m talking about something that can bring unadulterated joy to our community without requiring an A1C hemoglobin test. It’s the current production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Woodstock Playhouse.

I should admit from the outset that I’m a giant theater nerd. Total geek about it. I’ve spent most of my career working in the business of show so when I say I’m into it you should believe me. When I’m in a theater I stare up at the ceiling to see how the lights are clamped to the grid. I check to see what shoes the performers are wearing and try to guess what other shows they’ve been used in. I stare at the computer screens in the orchestra to see when the scene changes on the digital score and whether the musicians are sight-reading or playing from memory. I’m that kind of maniac about it.

So, when I say that the show that’s running for the next two weekends is worth seeing, you should jump right up and get your tickets. That’s metaphorically speaking, of course. In reality, you’re probably just shifting your weight on the couch as you scroll and click your way to some reserved seating. It is 90 degrees outside. Don’t hurt yourself.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must further reveal that my 12-year-old son is in the show. He’s playing the role of Jeremy, and stone cold killing it if you ask me. You didn’t but you should have and if you had I’d have told you like I just did. He’s great. He’s probably the greatest performer of his generation. Maybe any generation. That’s my completely unbiased assessment and as stated above, I know what I’m talking about. Just stating facts.

Now I’m willing to bet that some of you out there are saying to yourselves, “But Michael, you spent your career writing and directing a bunch of bald and blue people who never speak and catch paintballs in their mouths. What could you possibly know about REAL theater?” This is true. My theatrical experience is mostly with Blue Man Group, but the principles are the same. Figuring out if an actor can stuff 20 or more marshmallows in their mouth is pretty much the same as determining their kick line abilities. And as I see it, being able to perform with paint in your eyes is the same as being able to sing on key.

Seeing that written down makes me wonder if I do have any idea what I’m talking about, but that pretty much describes my overall psyche so at least I’m consistent.

Regardless, what I can say with confidence is that I know when I’m having fun, and I had a lot of fun at Chitty Chitty Bang Bang last weekend. Part of that is because it’s my favorite musical and the first act is a veritable hit parade of memorable songs and production numbers. “Truly Scrumptious.” “Toot Sweets.” “Hushabye Mountain.” Come on! That’s my childhood right there. Of course, the child-catcher was the scariest part of my entire youth, second only to the abominable snowman from the Rudolph TV show. Those two characters gave me nightmares and, if I’m being honest, still do.

Another part of why I’m predisposed to love this show is because I spend the whole performance thinking about Dick Van Dyke, who played the lead in the film version. Life is just better when you’re thinking about Dick Van Dyke. Go ahead. Try it. See? He’s like the perfect synergy of personality, physicality, and performance skills. Dick Van Dyke is the total package and he’s still bringing it. He was just on the 2023 season of the Masked Singer. At 97 years old! Who does that? Dick Van Dyke, that’s who.

But there are some great things happening with this actual, local production that make it such a joy as well. First, the cast genuinely seems to be having a great time onstage and it’s infectious. A cohesive and supportive team raises everyone’s performance, and, in this case, you can actually feel the happiness oozing out from the proscenium. By the end of the night, you kind of want to hang out with them but then you realize you probably aren’t cool enough. This also describes my general psyche.

Second, they can bring it. This cast can sing, they can dance, and the big numbers like “Ye Ole Bamboo” really pop. And the orchestra more than does their part. You know the melodies. You know the words. They just lay it on you like a warm blanket.

And let’s face it, regional theater is charming. It just is. Mistakes become cute. Cheap ways of accomplishing a particular scene or moment or prop feel clever and unique rather than an oversight or poor choice. You’re rooting for the production, giving it grace and suspending your disbelief at the drop of a hat, rather than expecting to be wowed like one would on Broadway. So, when the blimp carrying Grandpa’s outhouse is actually a model hanging from a stick carried across stage by a cast member, you love it rather than judge it. But that also means that when the technical production pulls off something big, your appreciation is exponentially larger. In this case, the car itself brings a huge grin to your face, even when you can see the feet of the person hidden inside as they push it around.

All in all, it’s a well-established show, performed by a talented and vivacious cast under the deft direction of Michal Susko and the entire team at the Woodstock Playhouse. What could you possibly have going on that’s more fun? And the theater is air-conditioned. Even the heat isn’t a good excuse.

So go see this thing. There are only six shows left over the next two weekends. The Playhouse holds about 300 people so there will probably be a huge run on tickets as soon as this article gets published. That’s how powerful my endorsement can be. If you miss it, you miss it, but you can’t say I didn’t tell you. Also, please refrain from telling my son you think he’s great. His head is already getting a little big from all this.