Spectrum Staging presents Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka Jr.,” with Sarah Cook (left) as the Candy Man, Lindsay Grunwald as Charlie, and Thor Edwards as Grandpa Joe. The show runs 7 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3 and 2 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Allen Park Center for the Arts, 19001 Champaign Road. Tickets are $15, and are available online only, at spectrumstagingllc.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200456571.
Two children’s stories that adults love will be coming to area stages Aug. 2 to 4, as Spectrum Staging presents a youth production of Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka Jr.” in Allen Park, and a touring company of “Shrek the Musical” comes to the Fisher Theater.
GOLDEN TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR ‘WILLY WONKA JR.’
One of the sweetest shows around, Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka Jr.” will deliver a scrumptious youth performance the first weekend of August at the Allen Park Center for the Performing Arts, 19001 Champaign.
When reclusive chocolatier Willy Wonka hides five golden tickets to tour his mysterious candy factory inside chocolate bars, Charlie Bucket, a sweet but poor boy, is given the chance of a lifetime to visit the inside of the fabled factory, along with four other children, who have notably unpleasant personalities. Wonka hopes to find among the children a protegee to follow in his footsteps.
Student director Autumn Stevens of Lincoln Park said theatre gives children a safe and inclusive environment to pursue their thespian passions.
She said that while this is the first time she has left the footlights to work behind the scenes, she has discovered how rewarding it is to direct a show.
“The most fun aspect has been creating my blocking and overall vision for the show,” Stevens said. “I have been so excited to have my voice heard, and I have enjoyed every bit of it.”
Lindsay Grunwald of Flat Rock, who plays Charlie Bucket, said this is her first time performing in a show.
“Trying to remember all my lines and songs has been the most challenging, but lots of fun,” she said. “I love singing and dancing together, especially my ‘Think Positive’ tap dance.”
Grunwald said audiences will be laughing a lot, especially when Augustus Gloop appears, and when she and Grandpa Joe burp their way back to earth.
Samantha Keliher of Canton Township, who plays a Golden Ticket, said the show is a good family outing that all ages will enjoy.
She said the set, which she helped create, is colorful and features realistic candy props.
“We are excited to perform this show,” Keliher said. “I really hope the audience enjoys the show and has fun watching it.”
Thor Edwards of Royal Oak, who plays Grandpa Joe, said he is still fine-tuning his unique character.
“The most challenging aspect has been figuring out the voice to do,” he said. “I still haven’t.”
Kate Bouquenoy of Trenton, who plays Willy Wonka, is excited to be playing her first lead role.
“I want people to come see this amazing cast,” she said. “It’s such a well-known tale that is an absolute joy to see onstage.”
Bouquenoy said she enjoys performing in the hilarious show.
“It’s incredibly inspiring to see everyone bring this magical classic to life,” she said. “I want the audience to be buzzing about the amazing dances, the wonderful vocals, the spot-on acting, and the awesome set and special effects.”
Others in the cast include Sarah Cook as the Candy Man, Roland Toole as Mr. Bucket, Bianka Bryant as Mrs. Bucket, Ophelia Stewart as Grandma Josephina, Dominik Davis as Grandpa George, and Arya Labadie as Grandma Georgina.
Jake Appleton plays Phineous Trout, with Emeline Searles as Candy Kid Matilda, Max Hudson as Candy Kid James, Blakelyn Gulyas as Candy Kid Susie, Eliana Searles as Candy Kid Reese and Macy Arthur as Candy Kid Joy.
Seamus Hall plays Augustus Gloop, with Ava Hook as Mrs. Gloop, Alainna Sworst as Veruca Salt, Marohn Campena as Mr. Salt, Mya Kopera as Violet Beauregarde, Autumn Stevens as Mrs. Beauregarde, Westin Woody as Mike Teavee, and Peyton Powers as Ms. Teavee.
The additional Golden Tickets are played by Penelope Vu, Khloe Kurpenski, Mallory Mead and Coral Tate.
The cast members playing Oompa Loompas and other miscellaneous roles include Vivian Arthur, David Miles Davis, Harper Davis, Adeline Duka, Brooklyn Grunwald, Elisabeth Mouser, Addison Powers, Gracie Powers, Andrew Prager and Stella Quiroga.
The show runs 7 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3 and 2 p.m. Aug. 4. Tickets are $15, and are available online only, at spectrumstagingllc.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200456571.
“Shrek the Musical” comes to Detroit Aug. 2 to 4 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 W. Grand Boulevard. For tickets and more information, go to BroadwayInDetroit.com.
FALL IN LOVE ALL ‘OGRE’ AGAIN WITH ‘SHREK THE MUSICIAL’
The national tour of “Shrek the Musical” lands in Detroit for three short days the first weekend in August, as the fairy tale creatures of Duloc, everyone’s favorite Ogre Shrek and the versatile Princess Fiona take on the evil Lord Farquaad and his fanatical pursuit of sameness.
The re-imagined production provides a more intimate and engaging experience, and goes back to its roots by emphasizing the importance of loving oneself and others.
Script writer David Lindsay-Abaire said it was a gift to revisit the show and re-think some of the choices, as well as re-imagining the story as a whole.
“This all-new production is leaner and more focused,” he said. “It’s joyful and funny, and feels beautifully hand-crafted in a way that really brings out the things we first fell in love with – the heart and wonder and humor of the story.”
Jeanine Tesori, who created the music, has found that they have delivered a more intimate and engaging experience.
“We wanted to make a show that families could come to, to laugh and be moved,” she said. “Something that would create a memory, because everybody has felt like an ogre now and then.”
The original “Shrek the Musical” opened on Broadway on Dec. 14, 2008, and received eight Tony Award nominations, winning a Tony for Best Costume Design.
Performances for “Shrek the Musical” are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3, 2 p.m. Aug. 3, 1 p.m. Aug. 4, and 6:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 W. Grand Boulevard.
Tickets start at $39, and are available at the Fisher Theater box office and online at BroadwayInDetroit.com.