Benjamin Howes News

Sometimes a show completely defies expectations. And in the case of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, that's a good thing. I settled into my seat at the Durham Performing Arts Center Tuesday night and drew forth my pen, my weapon choice, completely prepared to obliterate this production. Then the music started. Cue the ensemble. "Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew…" Suddenly there I was, smiling, strangely finding comfort in the familiar, when I heard a sound that would completely disarm me. A nine-year-old kid behind me named Blake laughed, an infectious sort of laugh that served as a bit of a wake-up call that this show wasn't calculated for me. This show, this moment, and this performance belonged to him and every other dewy-eyed kid in the audience.

As a massive Roald Dahl fan, this reviewer secretly hopes his entire catalog will wind up as Broadway shows someday. For now, we have Matilda The Musical (London 2010, Broadway 2013) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (London 2013, Broadway 2017). The stage version of the 1964 novel that has had two film adaptations does a very good job of marrying the original text with many of the beloved songs from the 1971 film. It also doesn't shy away from the fact that Willy Wonka invites five children into his place of business, and four of them may end up dead or disfigured by the end of the day. The script has some updates for the time period, but in this age of helicopter parenting and raising your kids practically encased in bubble wrap, it's kind of nice see this show lean into the darker aspects of the story, which are the hallmarks of Roald Dahl's writing.

The Boston premiere of the US National Tour of Roald Dahl's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY opened at the Boston Opera House this week, just a year after the Broadway production closed. The core of the Broadway creative team brings in a 36-member cast, including the beguiling candy man Willy Wonka and the Oompa Loompas, his odd little troupe of orange-haired factory workers.

The tour opened last month in Buffalo, NY to rave reviews and set a new record as the highest grossing and attended tour launch in Shea's history. Just finishing its third week in Chicago, the tour continues to delight audiences. Get a look at the tour below!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is gearing up to take the show on the road! Watch the cast perform three numbers from the upcoming tour!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is gearing up to take the show on the road! Hear what the cast and creatives have to say about what makes this musical so delicious!

Complete casting has been announced for the national tour of Roald Dahl's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY which will launch this September.

After a more realistic, but less interesting, live-action film, Pittsburgh CLO returns to the original- and cartoons in general- for inspiration.

Pittsburgh CLO will fill the Benedum Center with magic and wonder fit for all ages with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, starring Broadway's Jessica Grove and James Snyder. See photos from the production below!

Pittsburgh CLO will fill the Benedum Center with magic and wonder fit for all ages with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, July 27 - August 5. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ran for a staggering 13 years and over 5,000 performances on Broadway. Now, Pittsburgh CLO brings this treasured story to life for a new generation, continuing the organization's commitment to providing young patrons the opportunity to enjoy live musical theater at home in Pittsburgh. Tickets are now available by phone at 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or by visiting the Box Office at Theater Square. Select half-price tickets for children 3-14 are sponsored by Giant Eagle, offering an affordable option for families to enjoy this timeless tale together.

Pittsburgh CLO will fill the Benedum Center with magic and wonder fit for all ages with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, July 27 - August 5. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ran for a staggering 13 years and over 5,000 performances on Broadway. Now, Pittsburgh CLO brings this treasured story to life for a new generation, continuing the organization's commitment to providing young patrons the opportunity to enjoy live musical theater at home in Pittsburgh. Tickets are now available by phone at 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or by visiting the Box Office at Theater Square. Select half-price tickets for children 3-14 are sponsored by Giant Eagle, offering an affordable option for families to enjoy this timeless tale together.

YOUlogy, a new musical by Ethan Andersen and Charlie Johnson, is having an industry reading on May 4th, 2018. The reading will be directed by Amy Jones.

OTHER WORLD, a new musical with an original score and story by Tony Award Nominee Hunter Bell (book), Obie Award winner Jeff Bowen (music and lyrics), and singer-songwriter and author Ann McNamee (music and lyrics) will have an invitation-only developmental lab presentation on Thursday, February 15 and Friday, February 16 at Jerome Robbins Theatre at Baryshnikov Arts Center, 450 W. 37th Street.

For the first time ever, The Gateway brings your favorite holiday movie to life in A Christmas Story, The Musical at Patchogue Theatre, tonight, December 15, through December 27 - the best new holiday musical that is sure to become a classic!

For the first time ever, The Gateway brings your favorite holiday movie to life in A Christmas Story, The Musical at Patchogue Theatre, December 15 - 27 - the best new holiday musical that is sure to become a classic!

The View UpStairs - the provocative new musical written by Max Vernon, directed by Scott Ebersold and choreographed by Al Blackstone - just released its Original Cast Album, now available to purchase.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, HOOD, PIPPIN, and more!

Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is producing a new and original production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST uniquely conceived for its trademark theater-in-the-round. The beloved tale will delight New England audiences for three weeks, now through July 30. Below, BroadwayWorld has exclusive footage from all your favorite scenes!

Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is producing a new and original production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST uniquely conceived for its trademark theater-in-the-round. The beloved tale will delight New England audiences for three weeks, now through July 30. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is proud to be producing a new and original production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST uniquely conceived for our trademark theater-in-the-round. The beloved tale will delight New England audiences for three weeks starting Tuesday, July 11 and ending Sunday, July 30.