Elliott Robinson Stars as WILLY WONKA in Upcoming Circle Players Production

When Circle Players presents the Leslie Bricusse-Anthony Newly musical Willy Wonka, running October 14-30 at the Keeton Theatre in Donelson, the audience will be exposed to plenty of sugary treats. After all, the stage adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic story is mostly set in a magical chocolate factory where its owner, Willy Wonka, is checking out possible heirs to his candy empire. He puts his young candidates through a series of character tests which only one boy, Charlie Bucket, passes.

As saccharine as the show's setting may be, co-directors Jamie London and Shawn Knight will ensure things aren't cloyingly sweet. Instead, with the story's lighthearted touch intact, there are a few teachable moments for the young and old audiences alike.

"This is a very modern story. There are those in it who have lots of material things, and others who don't. Charlie doesn't, but he is filled with a sense of purpose and peace, and a great sense of love for his family," London said.

The factory's visitors are the lucky winners of five golden tickets hidden in chocolate bars. They are granted a tour of Willy Wonka's secretive candy factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate. However, Augustus Gloop, a gluttonous German boy, Violet Beauregarde, a gum-chomping American girl, Veruca Salt, a bratty English girl, and Mike Teavee, a TV-obsessed American boy, are all misbehaving kids, accompanied by their equally misbehaving parents.

"The kids, except for Charlie, have no boundaries. No one is parenting these children. They are excessive and all about consuming things," London said.

However, their personalities and naughty behavior make for some very funny moments, plus some catchy songs such as "I Want it Now," "I Eat More," and "I See it All on TV." One of the show's most famous tunes is "The Candy Man," sung by Willy Wonka. A version by Sammy Davis Jr. was the number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972.

In Circle Players' production, Willy Wonka is played by Elliott Winston Robinson. The father of three, ages 9, 12, and 18, said he loves playing this strange magical factory owner, who seems to have orchestrated which child wins the golden tickets.

"When children see this show, they will see some side of themselves in the characters. It's about the pitfalls of being a child," Robinson says.

Meanwhile, parents and grandparents will be reminded that parenting can equally have its pitfalls. Despite some very spoiled brats, there are genuinely nice people in the musical that the audience will identify with, such as Charlie and his family.

Charlie is played by 12- year-old Jack Williams, a seventh grader who finds Charlie "awesome."

"It's a really, really fun role to play with lots of lines," Williams says. He loves singing Charlie's songs, but points out that it's easier to just act rather than act while singing. One of his favorite scenes, he says, is playing a sad, upset and downbeat Charlie before he finds the finAl Golden Ticket that gives him a chance to win a permanent spot in Willy Wonka's world.

Dahl's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory came out in 1964 and was made into a movie musical entitled Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory in 1971 starring Gene Wilder. A 2005 movievversion was directed by Tim Burton and featured Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka.

Leslie Bricusse (music) and Anthony Newley (lyrics) wrote the film songs which are all part of the stage adaptation written by Leslie Bricusse and Tim McDonald.

Willy Wonka runs Friday, October 14, through Sunday, October 30, at the Keeton . Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for students and seniors ages 60 and up. Children 6 and under attend free. All tickets are $11 on Thursdays. Group discounts are available by calling (615) 332-7529. Tickets can be purchased online at www.circleplayers.net or by phone (615) 332-7529. Individual tickets will also be on sale at the box office at the Keeton Theatre one hour before each performance.

 

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