Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for Australia.

The Herald Sun has reported that Tim Lawson will produce an all-Australian version of the stage musical adaptation of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, based on the 1968 film, to premiere late next year before touring. No city has yet been announced for the premiere.

Lawson is in Melbourne holding auditions for a new production of A Chorus Line, which will open early next year, to be directed and choreographed by original Broadway cast member Baayork Lee.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was a success in London, where it opened in 2002 and played for three and a half year, though the 2005 Broadway production closed in less than a year, despite garnering 5 Tony Awards.

A Chorus Line opened on Broadway in 1975, winning nine Tony Awards and the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It ran for 6,137 performances, making it the longest running Broadway musical at the time, holding that record until being overtaken by Cats. It remains the fifth longest running Broadway musical of all times.

September 7, 2011