Reviewed by Margaret Thompson
CharacterWorks is at it again! You know, that thing they do where they work their collective tails off, rehearsing, painting sets, sewing, repeating, to wow their audiences with another spectacular performance? This time, the show is Willy Wonka, Roald Dahl’s fanciful tale of right versus wrong, riches versus poverty, and the quest for the elusive Golden Ticket.
I was excited to see how CharacterWorks set designer extraordinaire Peter Holleran and the rest of the team portrayed some of the most memorable scenes in the show – the Fizzy Lifting Room, the Choco-Vision Room, and other parts of the now-famous-from-the-movie Wonka candy factory tour. As usual, they made it work beautifully, turning props to work double-duty, and cleverly showing the audience all of the whimsy that the original movie had to offer.
The cast, ages eight to nineteen, impressed me once again, as even on opening night there was nary an error to be found (not that I was looking!). I just can’t imagine the amount of rehearsal that goes into pulling that off, but judging from the smiles on my kids’ faces, it was all worth it. Andrew Ciszek was a shining star as Charlie Bucket, and his act one supporters were completely believable as parents and grandparents,
sprinkling humorous dialogue throughout the “all four in the crooked bed” scenes (another cleverly-orchestrated set).
The other golden ticket winners and their parents were winners on stage indeed, as was Willy Wonka himself, Chris Cox. The Oompa-Loompas were an infectious bunch, and of course, that chant can still be heard around our house from my boys days later. (Or is it just in my head!?) In any case, this is a show for the whole family – not to be missed!
Willy Wonka continues through March 16 at the Robins Theatre at the Steward School. Tickets are available at CharacterWorks
