Alhambra Announces Children-only Casting Call for Willy Wonka May 9

On May 9, 2011 the Alhambra Theatre & Dining will hold a special casting call to fill the four main child roles in its upcoming Summer performance of Willy Wonka. While the Alhambra typically holds an open casting call 6-8 weeks before any show starts, it rarely holds children-only sessions. Producer Tod Booth announced the casting call for children only because the roles are so valuable to the production.

"The roles for the children in this show are so critical to its story that we want to make sure we cast it authentically if we can," said Booth. He continued, "There is so much local talent in this town, and I want to give them a fair shot at the parts. This is not a talent show. This is not for a cameo. This is a real audition for critical roles in this show. We're looking for experienced actors, but we also recognize that there might be a diamond in the rough making a debut audition. I'm hopeful we can find the right people."

To accommodate school schedules, the children's casting call will begin at 4:00 PM and run through approximately 5:30 PM. Joining Booth for the casting will be Alhambra Managing Partner Craig Smith. There are two male and two female parts. Actors should be able to play an age range from 10 to a young teen. Should one of the children earn a role, he or she must be able to rehearse daily for two weeks prior to the show's June 22 opening and perform each evening Tuesday through Sunday and two shows on Saturdays and Sundays.

"Willy Wonka" opens June 22, 2011. Show times are 7:00 PM (note change) for evening shows Tuesday through Sunday. Doors open at 5:00 PM and the buffet starts at 5:30 PM. Matinees on Saturday are at 1:15 PM. Doors open at 11:00 AM and the buffet starts at 11:15 AM. Sunday matinee is at 2:00. Doors open at noon and the buffet starts at 12:15 PM. Group sales are available. Tickets start at $42 for adults and $35 for children. Ticket price includes dinner, show and parking. Call the box office at 904.641.1212 or visit on line at www.alhambrajax.com.

About the new Alhambra Theatre The Alhambra Theatre is the nation's oldest continually operating professional dinner theatre and the only professional resident theatre between Atlanta and Miami. Opened in 1967, The Alhambra has hosted legends such as Tony Curtis, Claude Aiken, Sid Cesar and Cesar Romero, and, recently, Loretta Swit. The Alhambra was the place of Betty Grable's final acting role. The Alhambra is also home to former Miss America, Orange Park native Leanza Cornett who started at the Alhambra when she was 15. In November 2009, the Alhambra was purchased by Theatre Partners, LLC, headed by Jacksonville entrepreneur and Alhambra patron, Craig Smith as way to give back to Jacksonville and preserve what he believes is one of its cultural jewels.