Arts & Entertainment
Cheshire Youth Theater has the Golden Ticket for Weekend Entertainment (Video)
The musical "Willy Wonka" hits the stage Thursday. Get a sneak peek of the CYT performance in our "Countdown to Wonka," series.
“Willy Wonka,” a musical version of the classic Roald Dahl book, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," will be performed beginning Thursday by cast members of the Cheshire Youth Theater.
Some of the young performers in the CYT production are new to the stage, and some have years of stage experience and hold Broadway aspirations.
Production Manager Jen Murray said the group effort is the most important aspect of being a cast member.
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"We do our best to make the kids excited about the show that they are putting on. We try to keep energy up as much as possible, as well as buckling down to make sure that the kids gain an ownership of their individual parts," Murray said.
"I hope that the kids gain an appreciation for theatre and ALL the work that goes into it...not just practicing dances and learning lines and finding notes and harmonizing, but also for all the work that the stage manager, technical crew, costume designer, et cetera, put in to every production," Murray added.
As any actor learns, the performance is just part of what makes a show successful. For CYT, the adult volunteers are often the unsung heroes.
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Teri Lachance, volunteer coordinator, is a teacher with two children and several former students in the play. She said lots of parents step up and fill these jobs.
“People go out of their way to go back and help,” Lachance said.
Karen Majeski handles the pre-sale tickets sales. She has an eighth-grade son in the play.
“I just think it’s a good way for them to pass their summer, being productive,” Majeski said. “They love theater.”
Ryan DeLand, first-time stage manager for CYT, has 12 years of professional theater experience. She said positive reinforcement is key to organizing and motivating the kids.
“I really do believe children in any environment will rise to the level of expectation set for them,” DeLand said. “I hope they feel they are able to express themselves.”
Performances will be at Thorp Auditorium, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Tickets will be sold at the door for $15, and are available before the performance during operating hours at the and for $12. Discounts are available for students, seniors, and children.
For more information, see the attached pdf.
Editor's note: Interviews with the performers and the rehearsal will be posted later Wednesday.
