Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a musical based on the 1964 children's novel by Roald Dahl, with book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman, with original songs from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.
Directed by Sam Mendes, the musical premiered in the West End at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in June 2013 and ran for 3 years and 7 months before closing on 7 January 2017. In 2013 the production broke the record for weekly ticket sales in London. While receiving mixed reviews from critics, the show won two Laurence Olivier Awards in 2014 for Best Costume Design and Best Lighting Design. The show was reworked for a Broadway production opening in April 2017 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and ran almost nine months before closing in January 2018. A U.S. tour opened 21 September 2018 at Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, New York and an Australian tour at Capitol Theatre on 11 January 2019. A second U.S. tour launched on 1 January 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Broadway version of the musical has been acquired for licensing rights in North America, Europe and Australia by Music Theatre International.
Contents
Background
The musical is based on the 1964 children's novel by Roald Dahl. Producers held a first reading of the first act from the show in New York City in May 2010, with the intention of opening in London the following year.
Officially confirmed on 18 June 2012, producers announced that the show would play the London Palladium beginning in May 2013, with tickets going on sale in October 2012, before the venue was later changed to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
The book was written by playwright David Greig with original score composed by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman. The production was directed by Sam Mendes, with choreography by Peter Darling, accompanied with the assistance of Brandon Duncan, set design by Mark Thompson and lighting design by Paul Pyant.
The show presents a more contemporary version of the original story. During previews, many changes were made, most significantly the addition of the Great Glass Elevator.
Production history
West End (2013–2017)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was scheduled to begin previews on 17 May 2013, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, before holding its official opening night on 25 June 2013. The show was originally scheduled to open at the London Palladium. Previews of the show were delayed by five days until 22 May, due to "unforeseen problems in the delivery of a piece of stage engineering by a contractor". Shortly after opening night the show's producers extended booking period through May 2014, with a further extension to November 2014, after ticket sales of approximately 300,000 through October 2013. In February 2015, the production booking was further extended through 3 December 2016. The show currently holds the record for the highest weekly gross in the West End, with an income of £1,080,260 during the week commencing 30 December 2013. The first major cast change took place in May 2014, when Alex Jennings replaced Hodge as Wonka. In May 2015 a second cast change took place, with Jonathan Slinger as Wonka.
On 23 February 2016, producers once again extended booking through January 2017. The production closed on 7 January 2017.
Broadway (2017–2018)
A reworked version of the show opened on Broadway in Spring 2017 with changes including new direction by Jack O'Brien, new choreography by Josh Bergasse and a new set design by original designer Mark Thompson. Due to other commitments, Mendes stayed as producer only, but did participate in the selection of O'Brien as replacement director. O'Brien stated the score would pay homage to the Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley songs written for the 1971 film and would also feature the songs written by Shaiman and Wittman. In August 2016, O'Brien confirmed that "The Candy Man" and "Pure Imagination" would be included in the musical.
On 9 May 2016, producers announced that the show would open at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre starring Christian Borle as Willy Wonka, Jake Ryan Flynn, Ryan Foust, and Ryan Sell as Charlie Bucket, John Rubinstein as Grandpa Joe, Emily Padgett as Mrs. Bucket, Jackie Hoffman as Mrs. Teavee, Kathy Fitzgerald as Mrs. Gloop, Alan H. Green as Mr. Beauregarde, Trista Dollison as Violet Beauregarde, Ben Crawford as Mr. Salt, Mike Wartella as Mike Teavee, Emma Pfaeffle as Veruca Salt, and F. Michael Haynie as Augustus Gloop. Previews began on 28 March 2017 with the opening night on 23 April 2017. Reviews of the production were mixed to negative, with some critics citing poor staging and restructuring of the story as primary issues.
For this production, the characters Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde, Veruca Salt and Mike Teavee are played by adult actors, unlike the child actors in the London production, while the role of Charlie is still played by a child actor.
On 15 November 2017, producers announced that production would close on 14 January 2018, after 27 previews and 305 performances.
US national tours (2018–2022)
The 1st national tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory premiered on 21 September 2018 in Buffalo, New York at Shea's Performing Arts Center. It was a replica of the Broadway production, with an updated set, utilizing several LED screens around the stage. The show starred Noah Weisberg as Willy Wonka, James Young as Grandpa Joe and Amanda Rose as Mrs. Bucket, with the role of Charlie being alternated between Henry Boshart, Collin Jeffery and Rueby Wood. Reviews for the 1st national tour were mixed. The production closed on 13 October 2019 in Tampa, Florida.
The 2nd national tour started in Miami, Florida in January 2020 featuring Non-Equity actors. Willy Wonka was played by Cody Garcia, Grandpa Joe was played by Steve McCoy, Mrs. Bucket was played by Caitlin Lester-Sams, and the role of Charlie Bucket alternated between both Brody Bett and Ryan Umbarila. The 2nd national tour had another update on its scenic design, utilizing only one large LED screen, rather than several. The 2nd national tour took a pause in March 2020 (while in Grand Rapids, Michigan), due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and resumed on 12 October 2021 in Syracuse, New York. As Charlie Bucket, the boys alternating the role were Jackson Greenspan, Kai Edgar, Coleman Simmons, and William Goldsman. The tour closed on 19 June 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Eccles Theatre.
Australian tour (2019–2021)
Previews of the Australian premiere of the musical was held at Sydney's Capitol Theatre on 5 January 2019 and opened on the 11th. The musical is a replica production of the US tour. On 13 October the primary cast was announced and includes U.S. actor Paul Slade Smith (who played Grandpa George in the original cast on Broadway) as Willy Wonka alongside Australian actors Tony Sheldon as Grandpa Joe and Lucy Maunder as Mrs Bucket. In Sydney, the role of Charlie was shared between Tommy Blair, Ryan Yates, Xion Jarvis and Oliver Alkhair. After ending its Sydney run on Sunday 28 July, the show transferred to Melbourne in August 2019 at Her Majesty's Theatre. The show was initially scheduled to head to Brisbane in March 2020 at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The show reopened in Brisbane on 2 September 2021. Stephen Anderson, who previously played Mr. Salt in the production took over the role of Willy Wonka. The tour made its final stop Perth in November 2021.
UK and Ireland tour (2022–2024)
The musical had its UK regional premiere at the Leeds Playhouse from 18 November 2022 to 28 January 2023 in a new production directed by James Brining and designed by Simon Higlett. Casting was announced on 26 September 2022 including Gareth Snook as Willy Wonka. The musical reintroduced some musical numbers from the original London production, as well as rewrote the book itself to match. This version also introduced the song “You Got Whatcha Want”, a reworked version of Violet's demise musical number, “Juicy!”, which is now included in the licensable version of the show, through Music Theatre International.
Following the run in Leeds, the production toured the UK and Ireland from February 2023 to February 2024.
Leicester and London revival (2026–2027)
A revival directed by Nikolai Foster will run at the Curve, Leicester from 21 November 2026 until 16 January 2027, starring Jonny Fines as Willy Wonka. On 2 September 2026, it was announced that the production will run at the London Coliseum from 4 June to 18 September 2027, starring Michael Ball as Willy Wonka.
Other international productions
The first non-English production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opened on 8 November 2019 at La Fabbrica del Vapore in Milan, Italy. The production starred Christian Ginepro as Willy Wonka, with the role of Charlie shared between Gregorio Jeesee Cattaneo, Alessandro Notari, and Alberto Salve. The show closed on 23 February 2020, due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
A Norwegian production of the show opened on 9 November 2019 at Det Norske Teatret. Fridtjof Stensæth Josefsen portrayed Willy Wonka, while Ole Opsal Stavrum and Peter Andreas Hjellnes Moseng shared the role of Charlie.
A Brazilian production was announced in November 2019, produced by Atelier de Cultura. Cleto Baccic stars as Willy Wonka. The five children are played by child actors, as in the original London production. The show was planned to open in March 2020, at the Teatro Alfa in São Paulo. However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the season was postponed. The show eventually opened on 17 September 2021 at the Teatro Renault. The production closed on 19 December 2021.
In November 2019, Alexandre Piot announced that a French production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory would open in Paris on 23 September 2020 at the Théâtre du Gymnase Marie Bell, with Arnaud Denissel in the role of Willy Wonka. Like the London production, the five kids are all played by child actors. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show was postponed. The show opened on 31 October 2021. The show moved to the Théâtre Marigny on 18 February 2022 and closed on 9 April 2022.
A Danish production opened at the Aarhus Theatre on 6 May 2021. Simon Mathew played Willy Wonka and Anders Baggesen played Grandpa Joe, while the role of Charlie was shared between Bertram Jarkilde and Oskar Mehlbye. The production closed at the Aarhus Theatre on 19 June 2021. The show transferred to the Østre Gasværk Teater on 11 February 2022 with Cartsen Svendsen in the role of Willy Wonka, alongside Kurt Ravn as Grandpa Joe and Bertram Hasforth Klem and Bertram Jarkilde sharing the role of Charlie. The production closed on 10 April 2022.
In June 2020, Deep Bridge announced a Flemish production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Nordin De Moor as Willy Wonka. Originally scheduled to open in December 2021, this production opened on 11 December 2022 at Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen. The making of this production and the reveal of the actors playing Charlie were discussed in the documentary series "Getekend Charlie Bucket" ("Signed Charlie Bucket"). The show will be returning in the 2024 holiday season.
Synopsis
London
The play opens with Charlie Bucket searching for valuables in a dump near his home. As he picks up candy wrappers, he speaks with a mysterious tramp, and heads home to his family ("Almost Nearly Perfect"). His home is a one-room shack under a railway arch. As he and his grandparents wait for their cabbage soup to boil, they tell Charlie about Willy Wonka ("The Amazing Tale of Mr. Willy Wonka"). After Charlie's father returns home dispirited from lack of work Charlie's mother tries to lift his spirits by saying he will find work when the parents begin singing about Charlie and what they have ("If Your Mother Were Here") later Charlie pens a letter about what he'd invented for his family to Wonka, folds it into a paper airplane and sends it flying out into the night ("A Letter from Charlie Bucket").
The next morning, Mrs. Bucket returns home from her night job and explains to the rest of the family that Willy Wonka is holding a competition where five lucky contestants must buy Wonka Bars to find a Golden Ticket to his factory and a lifetime's supply of candy. Charlie is desperate to win one, but he has no money. On their homemade TV, they hear of the first Golden Ticket winner, an obese Bavarian boy named Augustus Gloop ("More of Him to Love").
They soon learn that another ticket has been found by a spoiled British girl named Veruca Salt. Mr. Salt, Veruca's father, recounts how he won the ticket for his daughter ("When Veruca Says"). Charlie's birthday arrives, and his grandparents give him a Wonka Bar, but are disappointed when there is no Golden Ticket. As he eats, they hear of the discovery of the third Golden Ticket, in Hollywood by wannabe gum-chewing celebrity, Violet Beauregarde. She and her father brag about how they will now be even more famous because of the Golden Ticket and how Violet is going to be the "biggest" diva ever ("The Double Bubble Duchess"). Shortly after, the TV announces another Golden Ticket discovery, Mike Teavee and the Teavee family. Mike is a violent and obnoxious bully who is addicted to television and video games, and whose frantic mother spoils him rotten and explains his hazardous activities and how he used Wonka's password to get his Golden Ticket. ("It's Teavee Time").
With all but one ticket gone and no money to buy a bar, Charlie is desolate. His parents sing about how they wish they could raise their son together and about how they hope for a better life ("If Your Mother Were Here"). Winter comes, and one day Charlie finds some money dropped by a rich couple. Encouraged by the mysterious tramp, he buys a Wonka Bar, and finds a Golden Ticket inside that prompts Grandpa Joe to get out of bed and walk for the first time in forty years ("Don't Ya Pinch Me, Charlie"). On the day they are to enter the factory, Charlie and Grandpa Joe feel out of place amidst all the hoopla on the red carpet. Finally, the moment of truth arrives. With a choral fanfare, the factory door swings open and all eyes turn to see the mysterious Willy Wonka, who invites the Golden Ticket winners into his factory to see all the wonders ("It Must Be Believed to Be Seen").
Broadway
The play opens with Willy Wonka introducing himself, revealing that he's looking for an heir to run his legendary chocolate factory ("The Candy Man"). Wonka disguises himself as the storeowner of a local candy shop, which quickly attracts the attention of the town's residents and candy- obsessed Charlie Bucket. Despite having no money to spend on sweets, Charlie frequents the shop regularly and befriends the owner, unaware that he is Willy Wonka. Charlie tells him about Wonka's career ("Willy Wonka! Willy Wonka!") and remarks that he would do anything to see inside the factory, giving Wonka an idea. Charlie returns to the decrepit shack he lives in ("The Candy Man Reprise"), which he shares with his mother and four bed-ridden grandparents: Grandpa George, Grandma Georgina, Grandma Josephine, and Grandpa Joe.
Charlie and Grandpa Joe play a pretend game recalling how the latter became Wonka's security guard ("Charlie, You and I") before his mother comes home, giving Charlie an old notebook for homework. Charlie daydreams and scribbles a letter to Willy Wonka, suggesting new candies he should consider inventing, before folding it into a paper airplane and tossing it out the window into the night ("A Letter From Charlie Bucket"). The next day, before going to school, he finds out that Wonka has hidden five Golden Tickets inside five Wonka Bars and that the people who find the tickets will win a tour of the factory and a lifetime supply of candy.
Unfortunately, Charlie's mother admits that money is tighter than usual and she cannot afford to buy him his annual birthday candy bar, leaving Charlie saddened at the fact that he has no chance of winning the contest. Grandpa Joe says he would gladly pay for one using his funeral savings, and Charlie's mood improves. As he passes by the candy store on his way home from school, he discovers the first ticket has been found by the "Bavarian Beefcake" Augustus Gloop, an obese boy obsessed with food ("More of Him to Love").
Charlie is sad that a chance is gone, and his mood worsens when he is interrupted with news of the second Golden Ticket winner, a spoiled Russian girl named Veruca Salt ("When Veruca Says"). Charlie attempts to buy his usual secondhand vegetables from local beggar-woman Mrs. Green, but is dismayed to find she has taken to selling chocolate and he can no longer afford her prices. His dismay is magnified when the third ticket is found by gum-chewing, wannabe celebrity Violet Beauregarde ("Queen of Pop") and the fourth ticket is found by technology addict Mike Teavee, who admits he hacked into Wonka's computers and found the fourth ticket ("What Could Possibly Go Wrong"). With his hopes of winning dashed, Charlie heads back home.
Music Theatre International (MTI Shows)
The play opens with Willy Wonka introducing himself, revealing that he's looking for an heir to run his legendary chocolate factory ("The Candy Man"). Wonka disguises himself as the storeowner of a local candy shop, which quickly attracts the attention of the town's residents and candy- obsessed Charlie Bucket. Despite having no money to spend on sweets, Charlie frequents the shop regularly and befriends the owner, unaware that he is Willy Wonka. Charlie tells him about Wonka's career ("Willy Wonka! Willy Wonka!") and remarks that he would do anything to see inside the factory, giving Wonka an idea. Charlie returns to the decrepit shack he lives in ("The Candy Man Reprise"), which he shares with his mother and four bed-ridden grandparents: Grandpa George, Grandma Georgina, Grandma Josephine, and Grandpa Joe.
Charlie and Grandpa Joe play a pretend game recalling how the latter became Wonka's security guard ("Charlie, You and I") before his mother comes home, giving Charlie an old notebook for homework. Charlie daydreams and scribbles a letter to Willy Wonka, suggesting new candies he should consider inventing, before folding it into a paper airplane and tossing it out the window into the night ("A Letter From Charlie Bucket"). The next day before he goes to school, he finds out that Wonka has hidden five Golden Tickets inside five Wonka Bars and that the people who find the tickets will win a tour of the factory and a lifetime supply of candy.
Unfortunately, Charlie's mother admits that money is tighter than usual and she cannot afford to buy him his annual birthday candy bar, leaving Charlie saddened at the fact that he has no chance of winning the contest. Grandpa Joe says he would gladly pay for one using his funeral savings, and Charlie's mood improves. As he passes by the candy store on his way home from school, he discovers the first ticket has been found by the "Bavarian Beefcake" Augustus Gloop, an obese boy obsessed with food ("More of Him to Love").
Charlie is sad that a chance is gone, and his mood worsens when he is interrupted with news of the second Golden Ticket winner, a spoiled Russian girl named Veruca Salt ("When Veruca Says"). Charlie attempts to buy his usual secondhand vegetables from local beggar-woman Mrs. Green, but is dismayed to find she has taken to selling chocolate and he can no longer afford her prices. His dismay is magnified when the third ticket is found by gum-chewing, wannabe celebrity Violet Beauregarde ("Queen of Pop") and the fourth ticket is found by technology addict Mike Teavee, who admits he hacked into Wonka's computers and found the fourth ticket ("This Little Man of Mine"). With his hopes of winning dashed, Charlie heads back home.
Musical numbers
London
† Replaced, as of 2016, by "The Queen of Pop".
†† Lyrics and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
††† Not included in the Original London Cast Recording
Broadway
† Lyrics and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
US tour
† Lyrics and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
†† Replacing "What Could Possibly Go Wrong?"
UK tour
† Lyrics and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
†† “The Teavee Family” is the same song as “It's Teavee Time!" from the original West End production with a different title.
††† Replacing "When Willy Met Oompa"
Music Theatre International (MTI)
† Lyrics and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
†† Replacing "What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”
††† Replacing “When Willy Met Oompa”
Cast albums
A London original cast album was released on 7 October 2013.
A Broadway cast recording was released digitally on 2 June and in stores on 23 June on the Masterworks Broadway label.
Orchestrations
The West End production had a 16 piece orchestra + conductor, which was orchestrated by Doug Besterman. The Broadway production had a 17 piece orchestra + conductor, which was also orchestrated by Besterman and with additional orchestrations by Michael Starobin.
Principal roles and cast members
Notable West End replacements
Willy Wonka - Alex Jennings, Jonathan Slinger
Grandpa Joe - Barry James, Kraig Thornber, Billy Boyle
Mrs. Teavee - Josefina Gabrielle
Mr. Bucket - Richard Dempsey
Critical reception
West End
The West End production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory received mixed to positive reviews from critics. While the physical production and quality of the performances were generally praised, the score and storytelling received criticism.
Broadway
The Broadway production received mixed to negative reviews from critics. Despite the enormous overhaul to both the book and score from the London production, critics noted that the storytelling was still choppy and relied too heavily on humor. Criticism was also drawn to the decision to cast adults as the Golden Ticket winners instead of children, as well as the lackluster sets redesigned for Broadway. However, Christian Borle received widespread praise for his performance as Willy Wonka, even amongst negativity towards other aspects of the show.
Australian tour
Like the Broadway production, the Australian tour received mixed to negative reviews, as critics compared it unfavorably with the recent musical production of another Roald Dahl children's story, Matilda. Critic Tim Byrne found the original music "bland and unremarkable" likewise the sets and costumes, but praised the performances of Paul Slade Smith and Tony Sheldon, and the "ingenious" puppetry of the Oompa Loompas. Critic Cameron Woodhead didn't mind the sets and costumes but said deep structural issues remained leaving "a show that's too focused on showing off to remember the importance of the simple things".