Darian Spencer stars in the title role as Charlie Bucket, a kind, humble, and generous boy born into a family poor in money but rich in love. His father and mother take care of Charlie’s four bed-ridden grandparents, leaving the Buckets struggling just to put cabbage water on the table for dinner. His only treat is on his birthday when he receives his favorite food in the world – a Willy Wonka chocolate bar (still offering bites of his rare treat to his family members). But this year is even more special than usual, for Willy Wonka has put five golden tickets hidden inside the candy bar wrappers, and the five ticket holders will receive a tour of Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate!

One of Junior Theatre’s younger casts do a truly impressive and entertaining job with this one. The four grandparents are a hoot as they wake surprised and excited each time Charlie comes in the door and as they play off each other throughout. Grandma Georgina (Alice Cash) has a definite knack for playing a quirky old lady with her hilarious voice and body language, as well as playing Mike Teavee’s proud and doting mother. Tyler Knell is Charlie’s Grandpa Joe who is clearly just as excited as Charlie about the prospect of meeting Mr. Willy Wonka and exploring his chocolate factory.

At the factory they meet the eccentric candyman, with John Sale creating a Wonka clearly high on chocolate’s caffeine as his non-stop energy keeps him constantly moving and fidgeting while he enjoys showing off his magnificent creations and teasing the four obnoxious little children who found the other golden tickets. Those include a delightfully selfish and spoiled Veruca Salt in an outstanding performance by Gabriela Espinal who puts her parents in their place, Skyler Nelson with a confident and bratty performance as the talkative and take-charge Mike Teavee, Lila Gavares as the pushy Violet with a major gum obsession, and Alexander Salomon as Augustus Gloop with a major sweet food obsession.

But in the end it’s the irresistible Oompa Loompas who really steal the show. There are about twenty-five of the cutest natives of Loompaland ever, and they are clearly digging it as they say adieu to the bad kids with their darkly amusing and not-too-subtle moralizing. They perform their big songs and dances to the clever and original music by Chuck Elledge that ranges in styles from a sort of reggae hip-hop to bluesy to alternative, all performed to choreography that gives the Oompa Loompas great character.

Performs through March 20, 2005.

Rob Hopper
San Diego Playbill