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Local talent shines in quirky, colorful Wonka musical

Actors in grades four through twelve took the Dillingham Elementary stage on May 2 and 3 in a burst of color and energy for a musical production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

The play, based on the story by Roald Dahl, follows little Charlie Bucket and his Grandpa Joe from their impoverished-yet-positive household on a journey through the mysterious Wonka Chocolate Factory. Charlie and four other kids each find a golden ticket in a candy bar, winning a factory tour (plus a lifetime supply of chocolate!) with Willy Wonka himself. The children are tempted by a slew of sugary delights in the factory, and eventually Charlie’s humble honesty prevails over the other kids’ spoiled selfishness.

Angelica Marx used her bright, lovely voice to portray a wide-eyed and earnest Charlie – in contrast to the other four rowdy, peculiar ticket-winners.

Sadie Sands whirled and huffed fantastically as the ultra-bossy Veruca Salt; Katelynn Swaim drawled, snapped her gum, and turned blue as Violet Beauregarde; and Draven Clavette obsessed obnoxiously over T.V. as Mike Teavee.

David Wetter got plenty of guffaws as the giddily gluttonous Augustus Gloop. His favorite line? “I say, ‘Here’s my golden ticket Mr. Wonka – AAATCHOO!’ and then I sneeze all over him!”

Another comedic highlight was the presence of Charlie’s four grandparents, snoozing side-by-side in the tiny family bed, waking only eat cabbage soup and offer sage advice.

Though the show had its minor bloopers, co-director Andria Budbill says the best moments were when the kids’ hard work paid off in surprisingly funny moments. “Like when the grandparents nailed all their little lines,” she says, “then it was hilarious.”

Co-director Pat Engen was also pleased with the students’ efforts. “We have a really good group of kids this year,” she said at a dress rehearsal. “They’re a pleasure to work with.”

Fifteen fourth graders played the Oompa-loompas, Wonka’s host of quirky workers. With orange-painted faces, striped knee socks, and matching suspenders, they performed in catchy interludes with choreography by high school teacher Mariah Smith.

Music director Shannon Spring taught the Oompa-loompa songs during music class, and for weeks, “doom-pa-dee-doos” and “doom-pa-dee-dees” could be heard throughout the halls of the elementary school.

Enthusiasm was so great among the Oompa-loompas that one, Jessie Sage, decided to dye her hair – normally white-blonde – an elfish light green!

Darrin Napoli, a high school senior and veteran of Dillingham’s speech and debate team, said he wasn’t nervous for his role as TV newscaster Phineous Trout: “I enjoy the fact that I get to be a smart aleck to all the kids.”

For senior Elijah Hunt, Willy Wonka was his first major on-stage role. He says it was a fun challenge to portray the sly yet caring candy-maker. “My character is manipulative and sarcastic, and I do sarcastic very well!” he reflected.

Hunt’s favorite song to perform was “There’s No Knowing,” an ominous number in which the group climbs aboard the Wonka factory’s rollicking row-boat to who-knows-where (multi-colored flashing lights were put to good use here). “It’s a difficult song with really high notes to really low notes,” said Hunt. “It’s kind of creepy, but powerful.”

The graduating senior says he learned throughout the rehearsal and performances that “memorizing lines is easy, but going out and performing as a character is difficult, nerve-wracking, and very enjoyable.”

Behind the scenes was an army of volunteers vaster than the Oompa-loompa troupe. Co-director Andria Budbill says that in addition to the 60 kids involved, 30-some adults helped out in the three months leading up to the show, working on set construction, costume design, make-up, concessions and backstage wrangling.

Among these volunteers was technical whiz and graduating senior Christopher Marx, who got a special shout-out by Engen for his many hours of work.

The musical received rave reviews on the Dillingham Facebook page. Theater-goers exclaimed, “What a great evening of entertainment!,” “those kids are very talented,” and “Most fun I’ve had all year!”

Contact the author at hannah@kdlg.org