Theatre Review: "Willy Wonka, Jr." by Seven Angels Youth Theatre

Seven Angels Youth Theatre is presenting a great production of “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, Jr” on the same stage that worked for the performances of “Nunsense With A Twist.”

The musical contains words and music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley and is based upon Dahl’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

Director Jimmy Donohue (who is concurrently part of the “Nunsense” cast) worked his magic while rehearsing this show with the students for only four weeks, the first done by the young performers in two years. The actors performed while wearing masks to keep them as safe as possible on the stage and most of the audience members wore masks as well. Donohue clearly taught the young people to “Think Positive,” just as Charlie sings to his father. The director came out of “the habit” to help with the set changes.

Dawn Marie Conroy was the music director and worked from the pit area to help them sound their best. Kimberly Jackson designed the set that did double duty.

While all of the young performers were well-rehearsed and comfortable on the Seven Angels stage, there were some that stood out in the cast at the opening performance. Colton Zawisza brought a fine singing voice to the role of Willy Wonka/the Candy Man. Jonah Lopez had lots to do in the role of Charlie and he did it all well. Len Emanuel and Lilah Pape were very strong as Charlie’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bucket.

As the other ticket winners, Angie Emanuel was the demanding Veruca Salt, Geno Bascetta was Augustus Gloop, Ashlyn Kish was Violet and Eric Plourde was Mike Teavee. Celia Misuraca played the reporter Phineous Trout.

I loved the tower of lights that kept track of the characters as they found their golden ticket and then when Wonka dismissed them as a candidate to take over his factory. Overall, the lighting was pretty impressive, especially the lighting that suggested when Charlie and grandfather fly in the factory and the mysterious lighting for Willy Wonka’s entrance. There is some brief strobe lighting.

Kudos to Brittany Mulcahy on the charming choreography that she taught to the young dancers. She should be very proud of the results.

If you know a kid with a sweet tooth, bring them to Seven Angels Theatre to step inside the magical world of pure imagination where rivers are made of chocolate and Oompa- Loompas create Everlasting Gobstoppers.

Seven Angels Theatre's Youth Theatre program will perform this classic tale of young Charlie, a mysterious chocolate factory, and the golden ticket that takes him on an amazing journey, through Oct. 17. Candy is on sale in the lobby. Get your golden tickets for general seating here: https://www.sevenangelstheatre.org/event/willy-wonka-jr/