“It Must Be Believed to be Seen”… Strike that, reverse it, and you’ve got the essence of this wondrously, imaginative musical adaptation of one of Roald Dahl most beloved novels and its classic 1971 film adaptation, starring the late great Gene Wilder.
Original cast member and Tony Award winner Christian Borle originated the role of the chocolatier extraordinaire Willy Wonka in the Broadway production that evolved excessively since the musical’s world premiere, which ran for over four and a half years in London’s West End. One of the most crowd-pleasing decisions was the inclusion of more original songs from the 1971 movie, including standards such as “The Candy Man Can”, “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket”, and “The Oompa Loompa Song”, which join the show’s iconic anthem “Pure Imagination” – one of the most beloved show tunes of all time.
New additions to the score have been provided by Hairspray legends Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and include the touching ballad entitled “The View From Here” during The Great Glass Elevator scene and the multi-media sensory overload that is “Vidiots”.
Director Jack O’Brien has captured the dark and twisted element of Dahl’s writing perfectly with his execution (for want of a better word) of the grizzly fates of the undeserving children within the story, whilst designer Mark Thompson has created fantastical sets and joyously, cartoonish costumes that light up the stage.
The beauty of Roald Dahl adaptations is their multi-generational appeal, as the popularity of the source material spans decades. The Grandpa Joes in the audience will revel in their own nostalgia, whilst the Charlie Buckets present will be inspired by this exciting new theatrical world that defies explanation.
(Photos by Joan Marcus)
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6 images Willy Wonka, world famous inventor of the Everlasting Gobstopper, has just made an astonishing announcement. His marvelous—and mysterious—factory is opening its gates…to a lucky few. That includes young Charlie Bucket, whose life definitely needs sweetening. He and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a mesmerizing, life-changing journey through Wonka's world of pure imagination. Get ready for chocolate waterfalls, exquisitely nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka's army of curious Oompa-Loompas.
Growing up, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was the one book that was always out of the library, faithfully returning home a little more dog-eared after every ex-library adventure. Interpreting so well loved a book is only for the brave. It requires clear choices to convey Dahl's tale of a chocolate dystopia, with its manic Oompa Loompas and colorful child-murdering, candy creations. This... Read more
