WILLY WONKA JR. Will Be Presented By Playful People Productions
The youth production features four casts of performers ages 4–12, with music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Playful People Productions, a San Jose-based theatre education nonprofit, will present WILLY WONKA JR. at the Historic Hoover Theatre. The production will run May 15 through May 24, 2026 and will feature four casts of performers ranging in age from 4 to 12.
The musical, with music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley and adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald, is based on the Roald Dahl novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The story follows Willy Wonka, a reclusive candy maker who launches a contest by hiding golden tickets in chocolate bars, inviting winners to tour his factory. Among the children who win tickets is Charlie Bucket, who navigates the experience alongside his grandfather.
The production will feature four distinct casts: the homeschool-based Lollipop Cast, directed by Alicia Sanders, and the Gumdrop, Taffy, and Jelly Bean casts, directed by Katie D’Arcey and Shannon Santandrea. Brian Kemper will serve as vocal co-director for all casts, with Elaine Saum co-directing vocals for three of the four groups.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
LOLLIPOP CAST (HOMESCHOOL)
May 15 at 7:00 p.m.
May 16 at 3:00 p.m.
May 17 at 11:00 a.m.
GUMDROP CAST
May 16 at 11:00 a.m.
May 16 at 7:00 p.m.
May 17 at 3:00 p.m.
TAFFY CAST
May 22 at 7:00 p.m.
May 23 at 3:00 p.m.
May 24 at 11:00 a.m.
JELLY BEAN CAST
May 23 at 11:00 a.m.
May 23 at 7:00 p.m.
May 24 at 3:00 p.m.
TICKETS
Tickets range from $18 to $25, with pricing tiers for youth, students, and adults. Tickets are available online, by phone, or in person through the company’s box office.
ABOUT PLAYFUL PEOPLE PRODUCTIONS
Playful People Productions was founded in 2010 as a family-focused theatre company and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2017. The organization offers classes, camps, and productions for children and adults, with an emphasis on inclusive, multi-generational participation and arts education.
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