Summer community musical opens July 27

Waupaca Community Theatre will present Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka” as its 22nd consecutive summer musical production.

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, July 27; 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 1-3; and 2 p.m. Sundays, July 28 and Aug. 4, at Waupaca High School.

Tickets are $12 and will be available at the box office prior to each performance.

The scrumdidilyumptious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale.

The musical features the songs “Pure Imagination,” “I’ve Got A Golden Ticket,” “I Want It Now,” “Cheer Up Charlie,” “Oompa-Loompa” and “The Candy Man” from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder, as well as several new songs.

The story follows Willy Wonka, as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his candy bars. Those who find these tickets win a free tour of the Wonka factory and a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats: the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket.

Waupaca Community Theatre will present “Willy Wonka,” beginning Thursday, July 27, at Waupaca High School. Shown above (from left) are Eric Conner as Willy Wonka, Matthew Bonikowske as Grampa Joe and Claire Jacquet as Charlie Bucket. Robert Cloud Photo

Cast

Eric Conner plays Willy Wonka, Joshua Barnett is The Candy Man, Claire Jacquet is Charlie Bucket, Dale Dobbe is Mr. Bucket, Jodi Alix is Mrs. Bucket,

Matthew Bonikowske is Grandpa Joe, Claire Wicinske is Grandma Josephine, Jerry Hurst is Grandpa George, Kay Ellingson is Grandma Georgina, Alexander Lederer is Augustus Gloop, Lori Zelinske is Mrs. Gloop, Twyla Alix is Veruca Salt,

Dave Larson is Mr. Salt, Connor Loken is Mike Teavee, Lori Bauer is Ms. Teavee, Erin Harger is Violet Beauregarde, Carmen Riebel is Mrs. Beauregarde, Madysen Waid is Philomena Trout, AJ Elm is James, Rylynn Eskildsen is Matilda, and there is an ensemble of 18 as Oompa-Loompas, Squirrels, Cooks and Townspeople.

This family show is intended for audiences of all ages and includes a full pit orchestra.

Tamara Jacquet will be making her directing debut with Jessica (Fletcher) Hauser as assistant director.

The Waupaca Community Theatre is a division of the Waupaca Fine Arts Festival.

For more information, visit www.fineartsfestival.org and the Waupaca Community Theatre on Facebook.