Chicago Shakespeare Brings New Musical to Navy Pier Roald Dahl's Family Classic Willy Wonka July 8 – August 17, 2008
Chicago
Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier (CST) is transformed into the
fantastical, music-filled world of a candy-maker's chocolate factory
for the new stage musical, Willy Wonka. Based on the 1971 musical film
version of Roald Dahl's classic children's novel Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory, CST's production of Willy Wonka continues the
Theater's tradition of bringing family musicals to Navy Pier all summer
long. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Chicago
Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or by visiting the
Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com/wonka.
Chicago
audiences of all ages follow the sweet-natured Charlie Bucket and four
other golden ticket winners on a tour through Willy Wonka's
larger-than-life candy factory, where nothing is quite as it seems.
This musical treat for the whole family features music and lyrics by
Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley and such memorable songs as "The
Candy Man," "I Want It Now!" and "Pure Imagination." Roald Dahl's
classic is brought to life on stage through theater magic and song in
the first professional production of Willy Wonka since its development
at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Willy Wonka is
performed July 8 – August 17, 2008 in CST's Courtyard Theater and is
recommended for ages five and up. Tickets are $18 for children (12 and
younger), and $23 for adults.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
welcomes Harris Bank as a production sponsor of Willy Wonka. In
announcing the partnership with CST, Brad Ballast, Harris Bank Managing
Director – Community Affairs, commented, "Harris is proud to sponsor
Willy Wonka at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. We welcome the opportunity
to support high quality family programming that reaches countless
parents and children during the busy summer months on Navy Pier."
The
work of veteran director Joe Leonardo has been seen throughout the
United States and London. He has directed national tours of The Mystery of Edwin Drood,Me and My Girl, Ziegfeld: A Night at the Follies, City of Angels and Kiss Me, Kate. Other directing credits include the 2006 Reprise! production of City of Angels in Los Angeles; Man with a Load of Mischief in New York; It's Better with a Band in New York, London and Philadelphia; and the premiere of the musical At Wit's End
at Florida Stage. In Chicago, the five-time Jeff Award nominated
director has worked with several Chicago area theaters including
Northlight and Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire where his recent productions include Little Women, State Fair, Brigadoon and Sunset Boulevard.
"Magic
plays an important role in Willy Wonka—audiences are sure to be
surprised and mesmerized," according to director Joe Leonardo. "When
the different worlds of the Golden Ticket winners collide, it will be
something akin to arriving in Emerald City. Our production is sure to
be larger than life—something for the entire family."
Candy-maker Willy Wonka is brought to life by Sean Fortunato, currently in Chicago Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors. CST newcomer Patrick Andrews—seen in American Theater Company's production of Speech & Debate—is
featured as young Charlie Bucket. The cast of Willy Wonka is completed
by Melanie Brezill as Violet Beauregarde; Mark David Kaplan as Grandpa
Joe and Phineous Trout; Jessie Mueller as Veruca Salt; Paula Scrofano
as Mrs. Bucket and Mrs. Gloop; Travis Turner as Mike Teavee and George Andrew Wolff as Augustus Gloop.
The
fantastical world of Willy Wonka is imaginatively recreated by
choreographer Stacey Flaster; set designer Alan Edward Schwanke;
lighting designer Diane Ferry Williams; costume designer Alison Siple;
sound designer James Savage; puppet designer Meredith Miller; and wigs
and make-up designer Melissa Veal. Additionally, Linda Slein will serve
as Music Director with Doug Peck as Music Supervisor.
Willy
Wonka is recommended for ages 5 and up. Performances are at 11:00 a.m.
(Tuesday, July 8 only); 11:00 a.m. (Wednesday – Thursday); 2:00 p.m.
and 7:00 p.m. (Friday); 11:00 a.m., 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. (Saturday); and
2:00 p.m. (Sunday). Tickets are $18 for children (12 and younger), and
$23 for adults. For further information on Chicago Shakespeare Theater
productions and to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at
312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.
Photo: Bill Burlingham
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