Children’s theater group to perform ‘Willy Wonka Jr.’
Tickets are on sale for a local, non-profit youth theater’s first show of the season on Sanibel.
The Creative Theater Workshop will kick off its opening performance of Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka Jr.” on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at the BIG ARTS Strauss Theater. The hour-long all-ages show will run for two weekends, with the remaining dates and times as: Oct. 20 at 2 and 7 p.m., Oct. 21 at 2 and 6 p.m., Oct. 26 at 7 p.m., Oct. 27 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Oct. 28 at 2 and 6 p.m.
It is the group’s first time putting on the performance – its 77th production in 12 years.
“We were trying to find a fun and modern play that also could apply to all ages,” Creative Theater Workshop Artistic Director Michelle Hamstra said, noting that adults and children will know it.
“Willy Wonka Jr.” plays off of the newer movie, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
“It has all the classic songs, and it takes all of the fun numbers and puts it into one hour,” she said.
“We were just trying to find a play that was a lot of fun, an audience pleaser,” Hamstra added.
Directed by Aaron Jackson, with Christy Koller as the vocal director and Hamstra overseeing choreography, the show features a cast of 50 children representing over 23 schools in Lee County.
“We’re really fortunate to pull the best talent from Lee County,” she said.
Hamstra noted that one might not expect a high-quality performance from youth.
“But I think they’ll be really amazed. A lot of these kids have worked professionally in the past, as well as presently,” she said, adding that some of the cast members are traveling over an hour to take part.
The performers range in age from 5 to 18.
The Sanibel School and Canterbury School are represented, as well as home-schoolers.
“We have a lot of island kids,” Hamstra said. “So it’s a nice mix.”
The children have been rehearsing for the three months.
“We have one cast for the entire eight performances,” she said.
The main cast consists of Gianni Gizzi as Willy Wonka, Rachel Burnes as Phineous Trout, Ben O’Brien as Augustus Gloop, Shennan Nelson as Mike Tevee, Tatum Bates as Violet Beauregarde and Marianna Young as Veruca Salt, along with Luke Crater playing the young Charlie Bucket.
“This is his first production,” Hamstra said.
She noted that the scenery lends itself to audience participation, making it even more fun.
“We were really interested in building a two-story set, with all these doors that open and close,” Hamstra said. “You never know where the action is going to take place, so you feel like you’re in the chocolate factory.”
The Creative Theater Workshop began holding shows on Sanibel five years ago.
She explained that they started out at the Strauss Theater, performing at the venue for two years. When the show schedules became too tight to work themselves in, they moved to The Community House.
In July, BIG ARTS announced that it was suspending its original productions at the theater for the upcoming season in order to revise the programming, as well as to consider improvements to the site. Meanwhile, it partnered with Creative Theater Workshop in its commitment to keep the arts alive.
“We were glad to sign a contract and be back,” Hamstra said. “It’s a beautiful space.”
The contract will run through December and includes three shows and a Broadway review.
The tickets for “Willy Wonka Jr.” range from $10 to $20.
“There are plenty of tickets left,” she said on Sept. 28. “We have at least 50 per show.”
However, Creative Theater Workshop has switched to selling specific seats.
“This is the first time we’ve had assigned seats,” Hamstra said.
“If they want a good seat, get them fast,” she added.
The community is encouraged to pick up tickets before they are gone.
“They won’t be disappointed,” Hamstra said of the performance. “They will have an amazing experience from the moment they walk in the door, until the moment they leave.”
To purchase tickets, visit online at sanibeltickets.com.
For more information, call 239-738-3525 or visit www.ctwtheater.com.
The BIG ARTS Strauss Theater is at 2200 Periwinkle Way.