From staff reports
Audience members are in for a sweet treat as Franklin Civic Operetta Association’s production of “Willy Wonka” opens Friday, Sept. 29, at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin.
The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Wonka’s chocolate factory will light up the stage in this adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic tale.
Enigmatic candy manufacturer, Willy Wonka (Nicholas Hess), stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his world-famous chocolate bars. The lucky finders of these tickets will win admittance to an exclusive tour of his mysterious factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. The winning children are Augustus Gloop (Jasey Donovan), Veruca Salt, (Cambree Backer) Violet Beauregard, (Ashley Morrison), Mike Teavee (Jack Zahner) and an unlikely, timid lad named Charlie Bucket (Brent Hetrick). Accompanying guardians are Grandpa Joe (John McConnell), Mrs. Gloop (Emily Minch), Mr. Salt (Kevin Fox), Mrs. Beauregard (Brooke Lawrie), and Ms. Teavee (Joni Hulse). The children must be on their best behavior … or suffer the comical consequences.
Through the story, we meet a group of children who are also vying for the golden tickets: James (Kyel Harry), Matilda (Alexandra Webster), Alfie (Clarice Carlson), Danny (Eli Moser), and Billie (Isabella Peterson) and an eager news reporter named Phineas Trout, played by Jackson Donovan.
Once inside the factory, the families discover that it is manned by strange, colorful creatures called Oompa Loompas, played by Cora Weigle, Ellie Heffernan, Piper Chamberlain, Tyler Higby, William Ion, Eyrn Moore, Rowan Master, Sydney O’Neil, Alivia Bish and Lauren Zahner.
They also encounter a feisty group of squirrels, played by Leia Walters, Audrey Botts, Amelia Polito, Gretchen Allaman and Kaylee Chamberlain. Rounding out the cast is the Chorus of Cooks, played by Jacqueline Higby, Lindsey Gagnon, Ian Best, Jenny Jack and Lillian Hensley.
The production team includes stage director Karen Allgeier, music director Chase Upchurch, choreographer Hannah McCarthy and stage manager Tracy Brown.
Set construction is under the direction of Gary Hundertmark, the Barrow’s interim technical director; costumer Bridget Kennedy; accompanist George Wilbur; and props by Cheryl Heffernan. Production managers are Tammy Dulaney, Dawn Caiarelli, John Kluck and Chris Shaw.
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29-30, and Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 5-7. A showing will also be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1.
Tickets range from $14 to $20. Group discounts are available on all performances and a discounted rate for families of three or more is available for the Oct. 1 and 5 shows.
