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‘Willy Wonka’ opens in Oak Ridge
Judy DiGregorio Special to farragutpress - Thu, Nov, 19, 2009
When writer Roald Dahl was attending boarding school in England, the Cadbury Chocolate Company would sometimes send new chocolates over to be tested by students. Dahl dreamt of inventing a new chocolate bar himself, one that would impress even Mr. Cadbury. This dream provided the inspiration for his timeless book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
The popular children’s book about the famous candy man and his search to find an heir went on to inspire two feature films: “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory,” starring Gene Wilder and more recently, the simply titled “Willy Wonka,” featuring Johnny Depp in the title role.
Continuing the tradition of family musicals to introduce the holiday season, Oak Ridge Playhouse offers up Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka,” a brand new stage adaptation of the timeless story first presented at the Kennedy Center and making its East Tennessee premiere. This adaptation features popular tunes such as “Pure Imagination” and “The Candy Man” from the original Wilder film score by Anthony Newly and Leslie Bricuisse.
When the reclusive Wonka hides five golden tickets inside his Wonka bars, children from around the world scramble to find them in hopes that they will be rewarded with a tour of the factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate. The winners soon discover there is more to life than sweets, and that misbehavior can have grave consequences.
George Fox, pictured right, last seen at the Playhouse as Carmen Ghia in “The Producers,” takes on the role of the mysterious chocolatier, and leads a cast of 30 performers assembled by Managing Artistic Director Reggie Law and Musical Director Jonathan Murphy. Appearing as Charlie Bucket, pictured right, is St. Mary’s student Maguire James, and Bill Kilday, pictured right, plays his Grandpa Joe.
The production opens at 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20, with a champagne reception where you can mix and mingle with the cast and crew. The $5 per person reception pass includes one complimentary glass of champagne and heavy hors d’oeuvres and maybe even an Everlasting Gobstopper! Purchase your reception pass with your ticket order.
Additional performances are 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21; a special Thanksgiving performance at 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 26; 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27; 2 and 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28 and 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29. Final performances are at 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5, and 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6.
For more information, log on to www.orplayhouse.com or call 865-482.9999. Tickets range in price from $15 to $20 depending on performance date.
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