Photo Flash: WILLY WONKA at Des Moines Community Playhouse

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the musical, "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka," Dec. 2-18, 2016. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at The Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St. "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer, with the orchestra sponsored by Ramsey Automotive. Flying Effects are provided by D2 Flying Effects.

Join Charlie Bucket (Ellie Miglin) and four other Golden Ticket winners as they set off on a delicious adventure through Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory with Mr. Wonka (Brad Church) himself! With excitement around every turn, Charlie learns the importance of sincerity, kindness and "pure imagination!"

The musical adds newly created material to elements of both Roald Dahl's book, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and the 1971 Gene Wilder movie, "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory." All of your favorite characters are on the tour: hungry Augustus Gloop (Carson Doss), snooty Daddy's girl Veruca Salt (Natalie Grote), gum chewer Violet Beauregarde (Anastasia Deace), and TV-loving Mike Teavee (Kyle Kloppe). And who could forget the Oompa Loompas?

The Playhouse cast is directed and choreographed by Alison Shafer with music direction by Brenton Brown. The cast includes Lonnie C. Appleby, Kyle M. Bochart, Brian Bopp, Lyndsy Darland, Melody Derogatis, Katie Dorrell, Asher Ekhardt, Jack Gabby, Sue Gibbons, Darren Grote, Noah Hackbart, Campbell Helton, Will C. Johnson, Margo Keller, Taylor Lantz, Natalie Jo Lourens, Darlene Pullen, Mark Pullen, Jason Rainwater, Torien Reynolds, Eliza Tutty, Julianne Ungs, Lawrence Walker, and Sam Wilson.

Audiences are encouraged to come 20 minutes prior to show time to hear local musicians share holiday music in the lobby. Among those performing are Pella High School Madrigal Singers, Roosevelt High School Vocal Music, Fermata the Blue, The Christmas Belles Handbell Quartet, Shepherd of the Valley Church West Des Moines Adult Choir, Plymouth Church Chancel Choir, East High School Advanced Handbell Choir, and GottaZING!

The Playhouse is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the US. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For more information about The Playhouse and "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka," contact The Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.

"Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" Performances: Dec. 2-18, 2016
7:00 PM Friday
1:00 PM & 5:00 PM Saturday-Sunday

"Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" Tickets
Ticket prices start at $25
To purchase tickets:
dmplayhouse.com
515-277-6261
Des Moines Community Playhouse Ticket Office, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312

Check out photos of the production below:

Photo credit: Steve Gibbons