Charlie on Broadway - Changes

[sondheimfan82]

Can anyone confirm the changes that have been made to Charlie since its London incarnation? 

 

Is is it true they've added 'Golden Ticket' from the film? 

 

 

[Jimmyb1969]

Thank god there's gonna be changes for Broadway because it was one of the WORST productions I've ever seen. Nails on a chalk board bad. CHEAP, CHEESY sets...the chocolate waterfall was a neon sign people...I'm all for suspending my disbelief but come on...so dumb. And the show was very, very dark and the songs were a snoozer. We needed a little more from the movie. It didn't help that Willy Wonka was a sweaty mess the entire show...he frankly made us uncomfortable. There was a Mother/Father song that was so awful...my friend and I turned to one another and said we're never getting that 10 minutes of our lives back. Voices were a C-, orchestra was a C-, Sets were a D, Casting was a C-. I'm heartened with the new casting and the stuff I've read. This is such a beloved movie so make it good or it's gonna bomb here like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. 

[sondheimfan82]

I agree, but any idea WHAT the changes are?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Seeing how Roald Dahl very much despised the 1971 film version of his novel, I wonder how much his estate is approving this reworked stage musical.

[Mark_E]

It doesn't even start previews for another 2.5 weeks. How are people supposed to know whats been changed?

[Charley Kringas Inc]

I thought the darkness was enjoyably prickly but the show felt extremely rote. The writers are kind of damned either way due to the nature of the story, which is not only extremely symmetrical but really familiar to audiences. If they stick too close, it comes across as plodding ("and they don't even get to the factory until act two!", but if they break away, everyone gripes about how it's not the Gene Wilder movie.

[amazingamandakate]

I wouldn't be surprised if they put Cheer Up Charlie back in for Emily Padgett, especially since they cut the father character. The parents song was definitely the low point of the show in London.

[Tag]

I hope they get rid of the mysterious man character.

[ggersten]

Tag said: "I hope they get rid of the mysterious man character."

You are so....mean.

 

 

[Hairspray0901]

Anyone know why they have 6 swings? Don't shows usually have 2? a male and a female? 

[neonlightsxo]

Two would be a low number. Most shows have more than two swings.

[standingovation79]

There are a couple of articles floating around that do confirm a lot of changes.  I saw this in london too and, yeah it was pretty dark, with Charlie and his family living amongst a trash dump. 

With Jack O'Brien at the helm, apparently he is taking his cue from the movie....I know that he has confirmed the opening number will now be The Candy Man Can.  So, I wouldn't be surprised if I've got a golden ticket gets in there as well.

The show could def use at least some of the movie charm thrown back into it.

[Hairspray0901]

neonlightsxo said: "Two would be a low number. Most shows have more than two swings.

"

Ok...4 is pretty standard I'd say, not 2, but I just thought 6 was a high number compared to other musicals of a similar cast size and I was just curious if anyone knew why they had so many. 

[Wicked Fanatic]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay/BWW-TV-Enter-a-World-of-Pure-Imagination-with-the-Cast-of-CHARLIE-AND-THE-CHOCOLATE-FACTORY-20170310

 

[BroadwayBeebe]

This Bald Borle thing has me asking all kinds of questions....

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Well one change: To be Charlie, you need to have Ryan in your name.

[VintageSnarker]

BroadwayBeebe said: "This Bald Borle thing has me asking all kinds of questions....

Same. But I'll reserve mine until the first preview reports. 

 

[Cfried]

He will not be bald in the show -- he has shaved his head for wig prep.