Is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Broadway-bound?

Tom Millward
Tom Millward

It has been reported that Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures' production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, currently entertaining audiences in London's West End, may be heading over the pond and opening on the Great White Way during the 2016-2017 season. The original London production is directed by Olivier winner and Tony nominee Sam Mendes, however he is rumoured to be replaced by Tony winner Jack O'Brien at the helm for the Broadway transfer. O'Brien previously collaborated with the show's composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman on the Broadway production of 'Hairspray.'

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory officially opened at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 25 July 2013 with mixed to positive reviews. The original cast starred Tony and Olivier winner Douglas Hodge in the iconic role of Willy Wonka. He was eventually replaced by Alex Jennings and the role is currently played by Jonathan Slinger in London.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is based on Roald Dahl's 1964 children's novel, which follows "the adventures of young Charlie Bucket as he and four other children win golden tickets to visit the strange and eccentric world of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory."

There have been two film adaptations of the novel - in 1971 ("Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" starring Gene Wilder) and again in 2005 (directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp).

The musical adaptation features all-new songs by Shaiman and Wittman, along with the classic "Pure Imagination." It received a total of 7 Olivier Award nominations in 2014, including Best New Musical, picking up the awards for Best Costume Design and Best Lighting Design.

Casting and venue information for the Broadway incarnation are yet to be confirmed.

- by Tom Millward

Originally published on

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