Willy Wonka
Musical in 2 Acts : Lyrics by: Anthony Newley :
Music by: Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse :
Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Tim McDonald
Based on the book Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Synopsis
Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life in this stage adaptation of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, which features the songs from the classic family film Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory.
Story
Willy Wonka, owner of a magical and mysterious chocolate factory, invites the audience to join him in a world of “pure imagination” (Pure Imagination). Although Wonka excels at making candy, he is ready to retire and find some “bright spark” to continue his candy confectioning (Golden Age of Chocolate).
Charlie Bucket’s family is poor. They do not have enough money to buy food or warm clothes, let alone candy. The local Candy Man arrives with his candy cart of Wonka treats, and gives Charlie a sample “on the house,” as well as yesterday’s paper (The Candy Man).
The paper contains exciting news: Willy Wonka is holding a contest! The five lucky people who find Golden Tickets inside Wonka bars win a tour of the chocolate factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate. While returning to school, Charlie learns the enormous eater, Augustus Gloop, has found the first Golden Ticket in Frankfurt, Germany. Augustus and his mother describe how Augustus has been carefully trained for the task of eating lots of food (I Eat More).
The reporter, Phineous Trout, announces that Veruca Salt has found the second Golden Ticket in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Veruca’s father assisted her search by having his factory workers shell chocolate wrappers. Charlie makes his way home to find his father sitting alone on a bench. Mr. Bucket has lost his job at the toothpaste factory and worries the family will starve. Charlie reminds his father “the Bucket family always thinks positive” (Think Positive).
Charlie and his father return home and, “surprise!” it’s Charlie’s birthday! Charlie receives a Wonka bar as a birthday present, but no Golden Ticket is found. The family tunes in the radio, only to learn Violet Beauregarde, of Snellville, Georgia, has found the third Golden Ticket. Violet is a gum chewer who switched to chocolate in order to win the contest, but is now back to constantly chewing gum. Phineous Trout interrupts to announce Mike Teavee, in Television City, California, has found the fourth Golden Ticket. Mike and his mother explain the only thing they need is TV, the Internet and computer games (I See It All on TV).
Charlie wishes he’d never heard of “chocolate” or “Willy Wonka” and the family encourages Charlie to cheer up (Cheer Up, Charlie). The city is blanketed in a deep snow; on his way to school, Charlie meets the Candy Man, who gives Charlie his scarf. Charlie finds a coin buried in the snow, and offers to post a notice about the lost coin. The Candy Man rewards Charlie with a Wonka bar for being “such a good kid.” Charlie then purchases a Wonka bar and finds the final Golden Ticket (Think Positive - Reprise and (I’ve Got a) Golden Ticket)!
He runs home to tell his family of his win and they decide Grandpa Joe should accompany Charlie on the tour of Wonka’s factory (At The Gates). Wonka greets the five winners and their parents at the gates, and they begin their tour of the magical factory (In This Room Here).
They arrive at the Chocolate Smelting Room, where Wonka chills chocolate to the perfect temperature for dipping strawberries. Augustus cannot resist tasting the chocolate and falls into a vat of it, which hardens instantly like magic shell, trapping Augustus. The Oompa-Loompas remove Augustus and his mother and reveal the moral of eating too much (Oompa-Loompa 1).
Wonka continues the tour by revealing a pink candy boat that takes the remaining group on a psychedelic adventure down a chocolate river (There’s No Knowing). They arrive at the Inventing Room where Violet is tempted by the Everlasting Gourmet Gobstopper (Chew It). She snatches one, chews it, and swells like a giant blueberry. The Oompa-Loompas remove her and her mother and detail the moral of children who chew gum more than once in a while (Oompa-Loompa 2).
Charlie and Grandpa Joe are separated from the group and discover the Fizzy Lifting Drink. They taste a bit of the drink and fly towards the sky (Flying). They encounter an exhaust fan overhead—which could mean their untimely demise—but they discover that by burping they float safely to the ground (Burping Song). They rejoin the group in the Nut Room where Veruca demands a Squirrel, a pink candy boat and an Oompa-Loompa (I Want It Now!). Veruca and her father disappear down a trash chute that may or may not lead to the incinerator, and the Oompa-Loompas discuss the moral of spoiled brats (Oompa-Loompa 3).
With just Charlie, Grandpa Joe, Mike and Ms. Teavee left, the tour reaches the Choco-Vision Room, where Mike meets his temptation and is shrunk to barely six inches tall. The Oompa-Loompas discuss the moral of too much TV and technology (Oompa-Loompa 4).
At the conclusion of the tour Charlie does something remarkable: he thanks Wonka for the tour and admits to tasting the Fizzy Lifting Drink and breaking the rules. Wonka reveals the tour was a test of character and only Charlie has succeeded. Wonka proclaims Charlie as his successor as Charlie’s family joins them at Wonka’s factory (Finale).
Musical Numbers
- Pure Imagination - Willy Wonka
- Golden Age of Chocolate - Willy Wonka
- The Candy Man - Candy Man
- I Eat More - Augustus Gloop
- Think Positive - Charlie Bucket
- I See It All on TV - Mike Teavee
- Cheer Up, Charlie - Family
- Think Positive - Reprise
- (I’ve Got a) Golden Ticket - Charlie
- At The Gates
- In This Room Here - Willy Wonka
- Oompa-Loompa 1 - Oompa-Loompas
- There’s No Knowing - Willy Wonka
- Chew It - Everlasting Gourmet Gobstopper
- Oompa-Loompa 2 - Oompa-Loompas
- Flying - Charlie and Grandpa Joe
- Burping Song - Charlie, Grandpa Joe
- I Want It Now! - Veruca
- Oompa-Loompa 3 - Oompa-Loompas
- Oompa-Loompa 4 - Oompa-Loompas
- Finale
Cast
- WILLY WONKA/CANDY MAN
Willy Wonka is an enigmatic character; at once mysterious and mischievous but also charismatic. There are a number of directions to take with Wonka, ranging from Gene Wilder’s version in the original film, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, to Johnny Depp’s portrayal in the recent film, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, and everything in between. Pick a young man (or a young woman) who is charismatic, engaging and has a great voice (in the case of a young man, preferably a changed voice). The actor should be able to be funny and serious and change between the two on a dime. It is preferred that Wonka double as the Candy Man, as it helps reinforce that Wonka has staged the Golden Ticket competition and is somewhat controlling this contest along the way.
- CHARLIE BUCKET
The role of Charlie Bucket is the emotional heart and soul of the musical. The actor performing Charlie should have an unchanged voice and lots of pluck and enthusiasm. Think a male “Annie.” Charlie is in nearly every scene, so make sure you select an actor who can handle the demands of a sizable role.
- GRANDPA JOE
Grandpa Joe is the grandfather we all wish we had when we were Charlie’s age. He is caring, patient, sweet and always reminds Charlie to remain cheerful. Cast an actor who can be kind and funny. The role sings a bit, but the singing is secondary.
- MR. AND MRS. BUCKET
These are great roles for young people who have nice voices, and are natural nurturers. Both sing solos; Mr. Bucket performs the number “Think Positive” with Charlie and Mrs. Bucket sings “Cheer Up, Charlie” with Mr. Bucket and Grandpa Joe. Mr. and Mrs. Bucket can double as Oompa-Loompas in the second half of the show.
- PHINEOUS TROUT
Phineous is the reporter who announces the winners of the Golden Ticket contest throughout the show. The role requires some singing, and can be doubled by Wonka or played by another actor. In addition, either a boy or a girl can play the role.
- OOMPA-LOOMPA CHORUS
The Oompa-Loompa Chorus can be as small as a handful of performers or as large as your stage and theater can accommodate. Consider casting your youngest performers as Oompa-Loompas (like the sixth grade chorus) and augment them with a handful of older students who can take the lead and serve as Oompa-Loompa wranglers.
- AUGUSTUS GLOOP
Augustus is the overachieving eater who represents the evils of eating too much. Be extremely sensitive in casting this role as it is tempting to cast an overweight young person and that can be scarring—especially if the child struggles with this issue. Consider casting a thin child and creating the illusion of size via the costume. Either a boy or a girl acting like a boy can play Augustus. Augustus sings “I Eat More!” along with his mother and Phineous Trout. The song is on the difficult side, but does not need to be sung with a polished pretty voice, in fact, the more character the better.
- MRS. GLOOP
Mrs. Gloop is Augustus’ mother who has overindulged her son with food. She accompanies Augustus on the tour of the factory, and sings “I Eat More!” which is one of the more difficult songs in the score for young people. The role requires a character actress who isn’t afraid to take positive risks both in her acting and her singing.
- MIKE TEAVEE
For this adaptation Mike is not just a TV junky. He is also addicted to video games, the Internet and any other mindnumbing technological device. Mike is bratty, loud and obnoxious. He does not know the word “no.” Mike and Ms. Teavee sing “I See It All On TV” so he should be a reasonable singer, but does not need to be phenomenal. Mike could also be portrayed by a girl playing a boy, but generally works best with a male actor.
- MS. TEAVEE
Ms. Teavee is a take on all television moms of the distant past. Think June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) or Marion Cunningham (Happy Days) or even Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch). She’s perfectly put together and a bit vacant. She sings “I See It All On TV” but does not require a polished voice.
- VIOLET BEAUREGARDE
Gum chewer extraordinaire, Violet hails from Snellville, Georgia, so it’s nice if she has a Southern American accent, but not necessary. Violet should stand in stark contrast to Veruca Salt. Veruca is a wealthy refined brat; Violet is more of a bluecollar, middle class brat. She sings “Chew It” along with Willy Wonka. The song is a tour-de-force for the right voice, so cast a young lady with strong voice.
- VERUCA SALT
Veruca is the wealthy, class-conscious, spoiled brat. She is often portrayed with a high British accent that is by no means required (brats come in all nationalities). Veruca’s solo number “I Want It Now” is deceptively tricky and comes late in the show, so select a young woman with a strong voice. Veruca should contrast sharply with Violet Beauregarde in terms of look and physical type.
- GRANDMA JOSEPHINA, GRANDMA GEORGINA, and GRANDPA GEORGE
Charlie’s three grandparents are mainly non-singing character roles. Cast performers that are innately interesting, who have good comic timing and are solid actors. These actors can double as Oompa-Loompas in the second half of the show.
- JAMES
James is Charlie’s friend from school. He has a few lines and sings the introduction of “The Candy Man” along with Matilda and Charlie.
- MATILDA
Matilda is also a schoolmate of Charlie’s, but she’s a bit of bully. Matilda has a few lines and sings the introduction of “The Candy Man” along with James and Charlie.
- THE CANDY MAN KIDS (a.k.a. SOPHIE, DANNY, ALFIE, BILLIE and additional kids as needed)
These kids sing “The Candy Man” and their numbers may be expanded as you see fit and your program will allow. The names of the characters have been drawn from other Roald Dahl books. Feel free to assign additional names to match the number of performers you cast. (All students like to go home and exclaim “I’m playing Alfie in Willy Wonka JR.” versus “I’m just Kid 2 in ‘The Candy Man.’”) You may also cast a single class (say the sixth grade chorus) to perform these roles, as they appear only in this number unless you choose to double them as Cooks and Oompa-Loompas.
- CHORUS OF COOKS
Please note this is an optional chorus. The Cooks appear during “I Eat More!” presenting Augustus with a smorgasbord of food choices. (Check out the Director’s Guide note in the song for more information.) Double the Candy Man Kids Chorus and Oompa-Loompa Chorus or cast a single class of kids to perform this section.
- MRS. BEAUREGARDE
Mrs. Beauregard is a teacher of geography and has invested a great deal of hard-earned money on therapy for her orally fixated daughter, with less than stellar results. The role is virtually non-singing. Her accent should match Violet’s.
MR. SALT
Mr. Salt’s solution to most problems is to buy his way out. He is upper class, and usually portrayed with a high British accent. (But this accent is not necessary—just make sure Veruca and Mr. Salt sound like they hail from the same place.) He sings very little. A female actress playing male may also play the role.
- SQUIRRELS
The squirrels are non-speaking, non-singing roles and you can cast as many as necessary. This is a great part for beginning actors.
Instrumentation
bass
cello
drums
horn
keyboard 1
keyboard 2
reed 1 flute
reed 2 oboe
reed 3 bb clarinet, bassoon or bass clar
trombone