Stagemakers at the J will present the musical, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.” at the Jewish Community Center, Allentown, on March 12 and 15.

The play tells the story offbeat inventor Caractacus Potts who is convinced by his children, Jeremy and Jemima, to restore an old race car that has some unusual capabilities.

But to their dismay, they cannot afford to buy it. To prevent the car from ending up in the wrong hands, the family, along with the wealthy Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts, experience some highflying and hair-raising adventures.

Music and lyrics are by Robert and Richard Sherman.

“Each show I work with has its own unique experience,” Director SJ Pierce said.

She has assisted Stagemakers for more than four years. “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” is her fourth as a director.

“To help make the show the best it can be, I use the talents and experiences of the production team and each individual cast member,” Pierce said.

Choreographer Kim Borgman is assisting Stagemakers for her third time.

“I thoroughly enjoy working with the cast, crew, and JCC staff,” Borgman said. “Cast members have so much enthusiasm and are thrilled about their upcoming performance.”

John Meltsch of Orefield plays Caractacus Potts.

“Caractacus is creative and caring, loves to invent things, and adores his children,” Meltsch said. He is in eighth grade at Northwestern Lehigh Middle School.

Meltsch is involved with several other activities outside of the show which has limited time to memorize his lines. These include training for baseball, vocal lessons and acting classes.

“I have made time though somehow,” Meltsch said. “I love to perform and be on stage, and am grateful for this opportunity,”

He has been in many other productions but this is his first performance with Stagemakers.

Megan Holman of Weisenberg Township plays Truly Scrumptious. She is also in eighth grade at Northwestern Lehigh Middle School, and encouraged Meltsch to try out for the show. Holman has been in several other Stagemaker productions.

“Truly has sass and a unique elegance to her. I appreciate that I get to express her characteristics in my own way,” Holman said.

Holman enjoys watching her fellow cast members get to know their characters, and seeing how they present them on stage.

“Although this is a junior performance, the show has a sense of maturity to it,” Holman said.

“Jemima Potts is adventurous, fun-loving, and sweet” Addy Rissmiller of Allentown said. “I appreciate her kindness to everyone she meets.”

Rissmiller is a fourth grader at Parkway Manor Elementary School, and is also no stranger to working with Stagemakers. This is her seventh performance, but her first time in a lead role.

“Although memorizing my lines is difficult, working with this show’s cast makes it easier,” Rissmiller said. “I love being on stage with the opportunity to sing and dance.”

After her recent leading role as Jack in the Stagemakers production of “Newsies,” Tessa DeJesus of Fogelsville has returned to the JCC stage playing The Baron.

“The Baron is quite childish and relies on his wife, The Baroness, for everything,” DeJesus said. “I do love his cape and snazzy crown though.”

She also is an eighth grader at Northwestern Lehigh Middle School and truly appreciates her fellow cast and crew.

“The people I work with are amazing and I think we all have a close family bond,” DeJesus said.

Davey Dangler of Whitehall is a fifth grader at Zephyr Elementary School. He plays Jeremy Potts and this is his opening debut with Stagemakers.

“Jeremy is a care free kid, who always tries to think positive,” Dangler said. “He has a creative imagination.”

After Dangler saw a recent Stagemakers production, he was inspired to try out with them.

“The Baroness is very funny and does everything for her husband The Baron,” Olivia Laible-Warner of Allentown said. She is in fifth grade at The Swain School.

Warner has been in several other Stagemaker productions, but says The Baroness role is one of her favorites.

“I have a lot of flexibility with that I can do with her,” Warner said. “I get to choose how to bring her personality to life.”

“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.” will be presented 7 p.m. March 12, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. March 15 at the JCC, 702 N. 22nd St, Allentown.

Tickets may be purchased at lvjcc.org/stagemakers, by calling 610-435-3571 or at the door.