Cast members rehearsing are standing from left, Sam Doty, Jordan Taylor, Alivia Williams, Andrew Taylor, Lane Bradley; and seated are Thomas Bowling and Harmon Hann.
Are you tired of the stress and strife of today’s chaotic world? Do you ever long to return to the sweet simplicity and innocence of childhood? The Sugar Creek Players will whisk you away to “a world of pure imagination” as they transform the Vanity Theater into the Wonka Chocolate Factory for the youth production of Willy Wonka Jr., which runs for two weekends beginning this Friday.
Based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” this sugary-sweet production tells the story of five lucky children who win Golden Tickets to enter the whimsical, yet mysterious, Wonka Chocolate Factory. The eccentric Mr. Wonka himself (Lane Bradley) guides their tour of the factory, where the badly-behaved children meet with a series of misadventures, including encounters with the unusual Oompa Loompas. The production includes more than 50 youth, ranging from ages 8 through 18, directed by Dan Martin and Megan Birk with assistance from Katie Melvin, produced by Sarah Swick, and sponsored by Arni’s Pizza.
Though Lane Bradley describes the title character as “odd and kind of creepy,” he feels it is an honor to be playing the iconic Willy Wonka on stage.
“It is one of my favorite roles — very unique and one of the most fun roles I have ever played,” he said.
Harmon Hann calls his lead character of Charlie Bucket “both childish and mature at the same time.”
He believes people should come see the show because it is fun to see how Willie Wonka “mouths off to the kids and their parents and how he interacts with them.”
Is it difficult for the young actors to play such notoriously “rotten” children as Veruca Salt, Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde and Mike Teavee? Alivia Williams believes she is able to identify with her character Veruca Salt, even though Veruca is a brat, because she is so “active and always involved in things.”
Mike Teavee, the character obsessed with TV in the classic tale, has become a video game fanatic in this modern version.
“There’s no kindness in him,” said Thomas Bowling, who plays Mike. “He has no interest in others. It’s like the world revolves around him and his games.”
Rylan Dowell actually enjoys playing the greedy character Augustus Gloop because he gets to be “so fun and goofy.”
He said that falling into the chocolate river has been a challenge, but one that has been fun to overcome.
Producer Sarah Swick agrees.
“Augustus’s chocolate disappearing act was difficult to figure out, but team work made it possible,” she said.
Swick believes fans of the movie versions of Willie Wonka, Charlie Bucket and the misbehaving children won’t be disappointed with this stage version of the classic tale.
“Willy Wonka Jr. will take you on the magical ride you experienced watching the movie for the very first time,” Swick said.
Indeed, Willie Wonka Jr. contains the beloved songs from the 1971 version starring Gene Wilder, such as the classic “The Candy Man,” in addition to some new musical numbers.
“My cast is wonderfully different, so the changes I’ve had to make are ones that show off their personalities in the best way,” said director Dan Martin. “Our Wonka is more subtle, our Charlie a bit more aware of his situation, and our cast of kids live in current times rather than the seventies. Even imaginary candy makers must keep up with the times.”
Leading the large cast are Lane Bradley as Willie Wonka, Harmon Hann as Charlie Bucket, Sam Doty as Grandpa Joe, Alivia Williams as Veruca Salt, Rylan Dowell as Augustus Gloop, Jessica Bradley as Violet Beauregarde, and Thomas Bowling as Mike Teavee.
The show also features Abigail Eutsler as Phineous Trout, Treyce Pittman and Leah Wolf as Mr. and Mrs. Bucket, Andrew Taylor as Mr. Salt, Jordan Taylor as Ms. Teavee, Olivia Anglin as Mrs. Gloop, Izzy Wilson as Mrs. Beauregarde, Lily Dockins as Candyman, Annee Clark and Joy Davis as Grandma Josephina and Grandma Georgina, Alex Doyle as Grandpa George, Stella Snook as Mathilda, Macie Allen as Jamie, and Lily Dockins and Shelby Priebe as Opening Soloists.
The Oompa Loompas are played by Faith Allen, MJ Brooks, Bella Dockins, Paige Hudson, Hutton Haas, Shelby Kammerer, Haze Kashon, Lilly McKinniss, Tab McKinniss, Emily Miller, Liberty Owens, Kami Patton, Carrie Poole, Morgan Swick, Hope Taylor, Kelsey Thompson, Beth Turner, Cameron Tyo, Clayton Tyo and Katelyn Woolwine.
Children portraying squirrels are Taryn Brooks, Konner Hartlep, Ashley Suiter, Collin Tyo, Molly Williams, and Carolena Yanez. Additional kids are played by Emerson Boaz, Ella Brewer, Grace Brewer, Taryn Brooks, Miranda Crowe, Konner Hartlep, Ashley Suiter, Collin Tyo, Molly Williams and Carolena Yanez.
When asked why people should come see this production, Lane “When kids come see the show, it feels like they are there inside Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, which would have been a dream come true for me,” Bradley said.
Martin agrees that this production gives kids — and adults alike — the opportunity to fulfill dreams.
“Willy Wonka is pure joy for the imagination,” he said. “There is a touch of nostalgia for adults, a new take for old fans, and a first step into making dreams a reality for some younger viewers.”
Of course, this is a musical set in a candy factory.
“If an audience doesn’t leave hungry for imaginary delicacies,” Martin jokes, “then we haven’t done our jobs.”
Willie Wonka Jr. runs from Feb. 17-19 and Feb. 24-26. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Due to the show’s preliminary popularity, two additional shows have been added, a 4 p.m. matinee on Saturday and an additional 4 p.m. matinee on Feb. 25.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.sugarcreekplayers.org or by leaving a message at 765-362-7077. They are also available at the box office, located at 122 S. Washington St., which is open 3-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before performances.
