Leddy Center Presents CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, 10/30-11/18

"Hold your breath. Make a wish. Count to three. Come with me..." It's pure magic, pure entertainment, pure imagination. Roald Dahl's popular children's book, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" has weaved its special brand of imagination for decades, and now finds its way to Leddy's stage in an adaptation certain to please even the most finicky Wonka fanatic, running from October 30 through November 18.

Mark Tuomanen of Kensington stars as the mythical, and perhaps mystical, Willy Wonka, who launches a contest which awards the winners (only 5) a tour of his top-secret chocolate factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate. The winners of the contest and one adult , (A.J. Pratt of Epping as Charlie Bucket, Dr. Henry Ferrell of Exeter as Grandpa Joe, CoLin McCarthy of Hampstead as Mike Teevee and Tammy Mahoney of Kingston as Mrs. TeeVee, Brook Gatchell of Epping as Violet Beauregard and Kevin Murphy of Epping as Mr. Beauregard, Amy Soraghan of Hampstead as Veruca Salt and Eric Savage of Stratham as Mr. Salt, Brandon Mahoney of Kingston as Augustus Gloop and Stephanie Johnson of Epping as Mrs. Gloop) arrive at the factory on the appointed day with high expectations and, in the case of most of them, dollar signs in their eyes due to an opportunity to reveal one of Wonka's biggest secrets to a devious competitor, Arthur Slugworth, Warren Cleary of Fremont. "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", directed by Elaine Gatchell, is a story familiar to most and beloved by many.

It exposes human nature, with its good and evil tendencies, but cloaks it with magic and sweetens it with chocolate. It is a must-see for everyone! So bring the children, the grandchildren, and the grandparents...But most of all, bring imagination...and hope ... and dreams.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", playing at the new Leddy Theater on Ladd's Lane in Epping, is sponsored by Ben Franklin/Ace Hardware of Raymond, NH, Exeter Hospital, Foy Insurance/Mt. Washington Assurance, and Interventional Spine Medicine. It is sponsored in part by Seacoast Coca-Cola Bottling Company and THE SHARK at 102.1 and 105.3FM.

Showtimes are Friday evenings at 7:30pm and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm. Tickets are $18. and $16. Shows for area schools during the day are on November 4, 10, and 18.

For ticket information and reservations, call Leddy box office, Monday through Friday, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at 603-679-2781, or go on line to order tickets, 24/7, at www.leddycenter.org. Leddy Center is a non-profit NH Arts and Education organization.