One of the books I read over and over and over again as a boy was Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Then the movie with Gene Wilder came out and it was named Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. And I loved it. I’m going to ignore the other film. It was certainly inevitable there would be a stage musical. That show, also named Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, opens on Tuesday at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa for a run through June 9th.
The musical began life in London in 2013 where it ran for over three-and-a-half years. The book is by David Greig with music by Marc Shaiman (Hairspray) and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman (also Hairspray). Sam Mendes (Broadway’s current The Ferryman) directed. This production used only “Pure Imagination” from the film. Here’s what that production looked and sounded like:
Before opening on Broadway in 2017 the show underwent some major changes. A new director was brought in, Jack O’Brien. Both the choreography and the production design of the show were changed. Three other songs from the film, “Candy Man,” “The Oompa Loompa Song” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket” were added to the US production. The show ran 305 performances. It is that version that is on tour. Here are clips from the Broadway production:
Noah Weisberg (Legally Blonde and South Pacific on Broadway) plays Wonka. Three young actors: Henry Boshart, Collin Jeffery and Rueby Wood, alternate in the role of Charlie Buckett.
Other cast members include James Young as Grandpa Joe, Amanda Rose as Mrs. Bucket, Jessica Cohen as Veruca Salt, Madeleine Doherty as Mrs. Teavee, Kathy Fitzgerald as Mrs. Gloop, Nathaniel Hackmann as Mr. Salt, Daniel Quadrino as Mike Teavee, David Samuel as Mr. Beauregarde, Brynn Williams as Violet Beauregarde, Matt Wood as Augustus Gloop.
This is the same production that was previously at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.
For tickets go here.
Main photo: Rueby Wood in Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. All photos by Joan Marcus/Courtesy of Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts