Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (1976) adapted by Rich. C. George

from Roald Dahl's book (1963)
Date: Sun, Apr 9, 7:58 PM

Quicktake on CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

     After two fairly serious show's aimed at older children, WFT's spring offering is a technologically updated version of a 1976 adaptation of Roald Dahl's darkly comic classic, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Richard C. George script is fairly typical children's theatre fare, even with director/designer James P. Byrne's showmanship. Dahl's literary merit is quickly lost in the toing-and-froing. Turning the narrator into a T.V. news personality, Played by Dan Bolton, and using video to separate the sections of the story doesn't disguise the oversimplification of the tale and its moral. But squads of kids get to participate, as stage children, as Oompa-Loompas, and as Squirrels.

     The role of the mysterious chocolatier, Willy Wonka, is taken by WFT General manager Jane Staab, who won't be mistaken for either Gene Wilder or Johnny Depp. Charlie Bucket is played by Khalil K. Fleming, seem this time last year as Jack. His Grandpa Joe is done by WFT veteran Mansur, while Grandma Josephine falls another regular, Ilyse Robbins. Mr. Bucket is Harold Withee, currently touring with the New Rep's Macbeth while Mrs. is done by Jackie Davis from Our Place Theatre, both seen last December in "Promises, Promises." The four other holders of the wonderful Golden Ticket, which lets lucky children tour the Chocolate Factory are Andrew Schlager(gluttonous Augustus Gloop), Talia Weingarten(demanding Veruca Salt), Laura Morell(gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde). and, from Stoneham--seen last fall in "Pal Joey, "--Andrew Barbato as (TV addict Mike Teavee). Each meets their appropriate fate with adequate theatrical effects. Their parents are Susan Bigger (Mrs. Gloop), John Davin and Lisa Korak( the wealthy Salts), Gamalia Pharms (Mrs. Beaurergarde), and Darius Omar Williams as Major TeaVee. Greg Nash is Grandpa George, and Pharms doubles as Grandma Georgina,

     The show takes place on a simple set and in the house, lit by IRNE winner John R. Malinowski. It was choreographed by IRNE winner Laurel Stachowicz, with costumes by Lisa Simpson, who also dresses the Gold Dust Orphans. Andy Aldous handled the sound, Tim McCarthy produced the Comedy Central style videos along with animator Michael Duplessis. The electronic captioning from c2 fits right into the rest of the effects. Fans of the book may find a few things missing, and those who just saw the most recent movie will notice some differences. If there's no edgier script available for this first book, perhaps someone should extract one from "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator," Dahl's sequel, a take on the future and space travel--circa 1972.

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"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (1976) adapted by Rich. C. George, Apr. 7 - May 14

Wheelock Family Theatre at Wheelock College

200 The Riverway, Boston (617) 879 - 2300
Wheelock Family Theatre