‘Willy Wonka’ comes to McHale

Junior Civic Theater brings musical to life

by Deb Saine

That famous candy man Willy Wonka wants to retire from his candy factory. But before he can, Wonka needs to find an heir.

He decides to sponsor a contest, announcing that five lucky children will find a Golden Ticket hidden in five Wonka Bars. The winners and one parent each will then take a tour of Wonka’s factory.

In a nutshell, that’s what Logansport Junior Civic Theater’s production of “Willy Wonka,” is about. Based on Roald Dahl’s book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” the musical is reminiscent of the 1971 movie, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” starring Gene Wilder.

The original score and songs were composed by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Familiar numbers include “The Candy Man Can,” “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” and “Pure Imagination.” 

Tony Kinney, who has directed previous JCT productions of “Godspell Junior,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “High School Musical,” is the director of “Willy Wonka.”

“If you’re a fan of the books or the movie, you’ll like the musical,” Kinney said. “And if you like a story that has an important message without beating you over the head with it, you’ll like the musical. It’s about the Golden Rule, about treating others with kindness and respect.

“And, it’s got a strong message about being a responsible parent. In ‘Willy Wonka,’ the kids act out. But you can tell it’s about how they’ve been raised.”

Kinney also said that the musical isn’t trying to copy the movie because “you can’t do that on stage.” And the challenge, he said, is pulling off the technical effects.

Nineteen-year-old Lucas Carter is the one who brings Wonka to life in the JCT production. “I knew the role would be pretty challenging, memorizing all the lines and the song lyrics,” he said.

But he also knew that “it’s a fun-filled role that I get to have fun with. I can play the part any way I want to. Willy Wonka doesn’t have one personality. He’s serious at one point and at another, he’s fun and crazy. And that’s what makes it fun.”

And playing the role of Charlie, the heart and soul of the musical, is Logansport High School sophomore Bryton Albright. Albright said the most challenging part for him was finding an outfit to wear. He didn’t want to dress like the Charlie in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” because it was “too ’70s.” And he didn’t want to dress like the Charlie in the recent remake, “Willy Wonka,” starring Johnny Depp. “That was one hideous sweater Charlie was wearing,” Albright said.

Albright said his favorite scene is during the song, “I’ve Got A Golden Ticket.”

“I come out and can be crazy and happy. It’s fun to jump around and be energetic,” Albright said.

CAST

Lucas Carter, Willy Wonka; Candy Man, Chris McCloskey; Phoebe Trout, Maddie LaDow; Bryton Albright, Charlie Bucket; Mrs. Bucket, Sarah Cahalan; Logan James, Mr. Bucket; Laura Cahalan, Grandma Josephine; Luke Jackson, Grandpa Joe; Noel Widup, Grandma Georgina; Bryan Worthington, Grandpa George; Lucas Pickens, James; Lena Dickerson, Matilda; Blake Hooker, Danny; Jacob Hoover, Alfie; Zachary Hoover, Billie; Maddie Dexter, Kelsie Ellington, Courtney Collis and Allie Williams and Leighann Myers, the kids; Brett McManus, Augustus Gloop; Molly Williams, Mrs. Gloop; Alli Biggs, Emily Ervin, Courtney Srotyr, Marisha Rigle, Maggie Quinn, Alex Knutson, Emma Click, Kelsy Moeloa and Zoe Heishman, chorus of cooks; Cassia Scagnoli, Veruca Salt; Megan Young, Mrs. Salt; Grant LaDow, Mike Teavee; Berkley Conner, Violet Beauregard; Jessica Grady, Mrs. Beauregard; Emma Bowen, Oompa Loompa No. 1; Elijah Bowen, Oompa Loompa No. 2; Karmen Wilcox, Oompa Loompa No. 3; Hannah Wilson, Oompa Loompa No. 4; Anna Babcock, Oompa Loompa No. 5; Reece Widup, Braxton Mucker, Julia Gillum, Haleah Wilson, Abby Zartman, Madison Zartman, Kenedy Callaway and Levi Landis, Oompa Loompas; Rachel Lang and April Pickens, captains of the squirrels; and Amelia Bault, Carlynn Crume, Arin Deane, Abigail Donnelly, Kennedy Harrison, Senta Heishman, Claire Miller, Layla Powell, Eloise Rowbury, Lydia Rowbury, Sal Scagnoli, Ashlynn Shilts, Lauren Shilts, Meghan Turner, Brianna Ulery, Alexa Zartman and Sammy Dexter, the squirrels.

ADULTS

Tony Kinney, director; Pat Buchanan, choreographer; Phyllis Handschu, costumes; and Mike James, set construction.

TECHNICAL CREW

Ken Fraza, facility manager and lighting consultant; Jeff Szymanowski, assistant manager; Carl Binney, assistant technical director and rigging supervisor; Jon Fettig, lighting designer and master electrician; Henry Martin and Sevenz Hannah, assistant master electricians; Bryce Fawcett, sound engineer; Steven Rader, assistant sound engineer; Cassie Cody, Taylor Foutz and Schuyler Hand, scene shop supervisors; Derek Kingery, Adam Gray and Jon Fettig, assistant carpenters; Brett Davis, video engineer; Michael Young and Brantly McCord, video camera operators; Cassie Cody, rigging fly man; Derek Kingery and Aaron Hoover, assistant rigging fly men; Chris Babcock, follow spot co-ordinator; Jeff Grismore, assistant follow spot co-ordinator; and Michael Smith, T.J. Irwin, Austin Mills, Tucker McCord, Cameron Dibble and Haidyn Mason, follow spot operators.

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