Willy Wonka Jr at Allen Park Center for the Arts

Wonka Musical Reminds Us to Dream and “Think Positive”

The classic book comes alive on the Downriver stage for one weekend only

(Allen Park, Mich. - July 25, 2024) - Take a trip to a land of “pure imagination” with Spectrum Staging, LLC as they present Willy Wonka Jr, August 2-4 at the Allen Park Center for the Arts.

The hour long musical is based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which led to the 1971 Oscar-nominated film starring Gene Wilder.  “Wonka” follows the saga of five children who each find a golden ticket in their chocolate bars as part of a competition devised by the mysterious candy manufacturer - Willy Wonka (Kate Bouquenoy).  The five ticket holders include Augustus Gloop (Sheamus Hall), Violet Beauregarde (Mya Kopera), Veruca Salt (Alainna Sworst), Mike Teavee (Westin Woody), and Charlie Bucket (Lindsay Grunwald).  Only one of them will win the ultimate prize, but who will it be?

Joining their children on this topsy turvy tour are Mrs. Gloop (Ava Hook), Mrs. Beauregarde (Autumn Stevens), Mr. Salt (Marohn Campena), Ms. Teavee (Peyton Powers), and Grandpa Joe (Arthur “Thor” Edwards).

Comprising the heartwarming Bucket family are Mrs. Bucket (Bianka Bryant), Mr. Bucket (Roland Toole), Grandma Josephine (Ophelia Stewart), Grandpa George (Dominik Davis), and Grandma Georgina (Arya Labadie).

Adding to our cast of characters are inquisitive reporter Phineas Trout (Jake Appleton), the charismatic Candy Man (Sarah Cook), and Charlie’s candy-obsessed friends (Emeline Searles, Max Hudson, Blakelyn Gulyas, Eliana Searles, and Macy Arthur).

Rounding out the cast of candy kids and oompa loompas are Vivian Arthur, Michael Colombe, David Davis, Harper Davis, Adeline Duka, Brooklynn Grunwald, Samantha Keliher, Khloe Kurpenski, Mallory Mead, Elisabeth Mouser, Addison Powers, Gracie Powers, Andrew Prager, Stella Quiroga, Coral Tate, Kennedy West, and Penelope Vu.

The one-weekend production of Willy Wonka Jr. will run August 2-3 at 7 pm and August 4 at 2 pm.  The show will take place at the Allen Park Center for the Arts - 19001 Champaign Rd, Allen Park, MI 48101.  Tickets are $15 and are available online at spectrumstagingllc.ludus.com.