Sterling Playmakers is currently running their summer production of Willy Wonka in Ashburn, Virginia. The Loudoun County community theater focuses on family-friendly experiences and opportunities for all ages, and the show, based on Roald Dahl’s classic novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is the perfect fit. The production has music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley and a book by Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald, and includes songs from the Gene Wilder 1971 movie.
The set, designed by Julia Braxton (who also served as director) and Jane Waldrop, uses a projection screen that adds a nice background to assist in the changing scenes from town to inside the factory and allows the appearance of snow falling, but also creates the effect of traveling, whether in a small boat moving downriver or flying upward from drinking Wonka’s Fizzy Lifting Drink. The feature is a great technical touch that goes a long way to enhance the visual aspect.
Jae Damauier plays the mysterious Willy Wonka, who is the narrator of the story as he looks for an heir to his business in the unconventional way of hiding five golden tickets in his Wonka candy bars distributed around the world. Damauier has a good time with the quirky character. He sings the well-known “Pure Imagination” and, while he was sometimes hard to hear, he has a beautiful voice.
Wonka introduces the impoverished Bucket family, living on old cabbage and sharing one bed for a family of seven. Kiril French plays the cheerful Charlie. French is high energy and embodies the “Think Positive” attitude that he sings about.
Earle Greene is Charlie’s Grandpa Joe, who accompanies the young winner through the factory that once was his place of employment. Greene and French are an adorable pair and lead the family in “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” along with Mr. Bucket (Nathan McGraw), Mrs. Bucket (Jordan Lohmeyer), Grandma Josephine (Marguerite Driessen), Grandma Georgina (Susan Kronenberg), and Grandpa George (Bob Rosenberg).
Playing the remaining, less than worthy, ticket holders are Hamad Aljibreen as Augustus Gloop and his German indulger of a mother Mrs. Gloop (Amollie Stoermer); Sarah Lehner as the spoiled Veruca Salt, with her pushover father, Mr. Salt (Anthony Greenberg); Hannah Conradt as the gum fiend Violet Beauregarde, with mom Mrs. Beauregarde (Loren Blinde); and Charlie Gurson is the screen-addicted Mike Teavee, with his mousy mother Ms. Teavee (Cathy Gurson).
Phineous Trout (Jordan Kazemi) is the television reporter with the tedious job of congratulating the “winners.” His dripping sarcasm and feigned eagerness to hear each kid’s ticket discovery story is laughable, especially in Mike Tevee’s “I See It All on TV.”
Lehner’s Veronica and her bossy rendition of “I Want It Now!” was also a standout. Her energy and spunk in that number brought laughter to her otherwise ugly and bratty behavior.
And adding to the camp are the Oompa-Loompa songs, after each child’s failure, with cute choreography by Brandi Weston. The children’s ensemble, consisting of Alexandra Blinde, Wellington Buck, Meadow DeMille, Violet Hafner, Emma Hardy, Hannah Hillman Serena Indrisano, Annie Lian, Kaylin Mason, Hannah Reeder, Avery Scott, and Shea Smith, do a lovely job with all of the reprises. Costume Designer Allison Ball builds on the nostalgia with white outfits and green wigs, reminiscent of the film Oompa Loompas — complete with rosy cheeks.
Sterling Playmakers production of Willy Wonka is a fun night out for the entire family. The show is light-hearted and allows for local talent to be highlighted and applauded, while also teaching the moral of appreciation, respect, and boundaries to kids (and parents) without the harping and finger-wagging. Congratulations to the theater for fostering a safe and creative space for their community and continuing to spread the joy of live theater with the next generation.
Running Time: Approximately two hours, with one 15-minute intermission.
Willy Wonka plays through August 11, 2024, presented by Sterling Playmakers performing at The Theatre at Broad Run High School located at 21670 Ashburn Rd, Ashburn, VA. Tickets cost $20 for general seating and are available for purchase at the door or online. Email the box office at boxoffice@sterlingplaymakers.org for more information.
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka
Music and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Adapted for the Stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald
Based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
CAST
Willy Wonka: Jae Damauier; Charlie Bucket: Kiril French; Grandpa Joe: Earle Greene; Mr. Bucket: Nathan McGraw; Mrs. Bucket: Jordan Lohmeyer; Grandma Josephine: Marguerite Driessen; Grandma Georgina: Susan Kronenberg; Grandpa George: Bob Rosenberg; Candy Man: Michael Blinde; Phineous Trout: Jordan Kazemi; Augustus Gloop: Hamad Aljibreen; Mrs. Gloop: Amollie Stoermer; Veruca Salt: Sarah Lehner; Mr. Salt: Anthony Greenberg; Violet Beauregarde: Hannah Conradt; Mrs. Beauregarde: Loren Blinde; Mike Teavee: Charlie Gurson; Ms. Teavee: Cathy Gurson; Matilda & Children’s Ensemble: Ellie Sennett; James & Children Ensemble: Luca Pivetta; Phineous’s Assistant: Eamon Clark; Adult Ensemble: Marielle Baker, Julia Blinde, Eamon Clark, Joey Hafner, Geoff Hardy, Sarah Hardy, Michelle Morgan, Ollie Sargeant, and Maggie Shircliff; Children’s Ensemble: Alexandra Blinde, Wellington Buck, Meadow DeMille, Violet Hafner, Emma Hardy, Hannah Hillman Serena Indrisano, Annie Lian, Kaylin Mason, Hannah Reeder, Avery Scott, and Shea Smith; Willy Wonka Understudy: Nathan McGraw; Charlie/Veruca Understudy: Ellie Sennett; Violet Understudy/Dance Captain: Avery Scott; Matilda Understudy: Annie Lian; Adult Dance Captain: Maggie Shircliff
ORCHESTRA
Bass-TJ Hillman; Drums: Manny Ampeh; Keys: Jane Waldrop; Flute: Teresa Harris; Clarinet: Justin Baughman; Bass Clarinet: Luke Pierce;Trombone: Chuck Schmidt; Trumpet: John Paganelli; Trumpet 2: Ollie Gurson; Violin: Rebekah Givens; Cello: Ethan Boger; Audition Accompanist: Kyle; Boardman Audition Accompanist: Lisa Mattia
CREATIVE TEAM
Director: Julia Braxton; Music Director: Jane Waldrop Assistant; Director: Courtney Garofolo; Choreographer: Brandi Weston; Assistant Choreographer: Sydney Austin; Dialect Coach: Alden Michels; Scenic Design: Julia Braxton and Jane Waldrop; Properties Design: Jane Waldrop; Sound Design & Board Op: Christian Sandidge; Lighting Design & Board Op: Cecelia Howard; Hair/Make-Up Design: Alexis Taylor; Costume Design: Allison Ball
