LIHU‘E — When you think of Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre’s version of “Willy Wonka, The Musical,” think of marshmallow trampolines, a massive pink boat gliding on stage, an eccentric chocolatier and a slew of adorable Oompa Loompas who deliver life’s important
LIHU‘E — When you think of Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre’s version of “Willy Wonka, The Musical,” think of marshmallow trampolines, a massive pink boat gliding on stage, an eccentric chocolatier and a slew of adorable Oompa Loompas who deliver life’s important lessons through song and dance.
Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre brings a chocolatey feast of color in this oh-so-sweet stage production. The show opens 7 p.m. today at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e for a two-weekend run.
“I had pretty high expectations going into this, and I think we are doing a great job,” said the show’s director, Ed Eaton.
Even though Roald Dahl wrote “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” more than 40 years ago, Eaton noted that the story is still current.
“In today’s world, people are struggling on a day-to-day basis, and there are still people out there who do the right thing,” he said, alluding to Charlie and his relationship with Willy Wonka.
The tale is familiar — When Willy Wonka, the world’s most famous chocolatier, announces he has hidden five golden tickets in his candy bars good for a personal tour of his factory, everyone goes crazy with Wonka-mania. Nobody wants is more than Charlie Bucket, but his family is too poor to buy one candy bar, let alone enough to find the golden ticket. Against the odds, Charlie finds a ticket and is whisked off to Wonka’s factory, where Charlie’s good nature and positive attitude gets him more than he could imagine.
The production boasts a cast of children as young as seven paired with seasoned adult actors.
“Being Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre, you get that mix,” Eaton said. “The older ones learn from the younger ones, and the younger ones learn from the older ones. Also, young adults do every scene change.”
The musical stars Blade Kanekuni as a charismatic Charlie, William McGovern as a tour-de-force Wonka and Stephen Pinzer as a charming Grandpa Joe.
Helena Huffman plays a delightfully spoiled Veruca Salt, Raina Silver portrays a sassy Violet Beauregarde, Elijah Borales is a hilarious Augustus Gloop and Carolyn Price takes on the hyper Mike Teavee.
Other characters of note are Jennifer Plunkett as Mrs. Gloop, who delivers some of the best physical comedy of the performance, and the equally hilarious Suzy Olson as Mrs. Beauregarde, Layne Torgerson as Mrs. Salt, Jessica Silver as Ms. Teavee and Mark Stein as Phineous Trout.
In the HCT production, Wonka’s factory comes alive in a supersized, Candyland-like set filled with colorful gizmos and gadgets that make all of Wonka’s confections. Poppy Shell’s costumes add a touch of whimsy, while Morris Wise leads a reduced orchestra that plays many songs people will recognize from the 1971 film adaptation.
In fact, the musical takes bits and pieces from the children’s book and the 1971 and 2005 film adaptations starring Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp, but adds a few contemporary touches. Mike Teavee is a true gamer, simultaneously answering cell phone calls while tapping away at her controller from an electronic throne. Charlie’s father loses his job at the toothpaste factory because operations are moving overseas — a global trend that still makes headlines.
“It’s a fun show with a whole lot of meaning,” Eaton said.
Willy Wonka’s mischievous helpers — the Oompa Loompas — are played by Siena Agudong, Neva Burkhart, Genava Irving, Sierra Mireles, Lily Oldham, Shea Olson, Jessica Palmer, Juliah Peck, Alena Pinzer, Kaylee Russell, Robbert Russell and Riley Silver.
Charlie’s parents are played by Dolly Kanekuni and Jim Warrack, and his grandparents are played by John Cabello, Lolli Hagen and Karen Firl. Karen Tilley plays the Candy Man, and Sydney Agudong, Tirah Brings, Noah Cabello, Ryan Elwin, Tyler Elwin, Kilinoe Garcia, Marli Genegabuas, Taj Gutierrez, Nico Maione, Emmanuella Marcil, Chloe Rudinoff, Emma Schneck, Emily Threlkeld, Kay Torgerson, Alexis Warnock and Makenna Olson round out the cast.
During intermission, the lobby will be transformed into a candy store, and one lucky winner will have a chance to uncover a golden ticket. The winner will be whisked backstage, put into costume and have a walk-on role during the second act of the musical.
Visit www.hawaiichildrenstheatre.com for more information.
• Andrea Frainier, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or afrainier@ thegardenisland.com.
