Momentum Collective Inc. brings you Willy Wonka JR on November 7 and 8. This whimsical stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has a robust cast of 37 youth performers and is led by the powerful production duo of Jason Ellis and Rosslyn Burrs. This version is tailored for younger audiences, keeping the essence of the magical world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory intact while making it accessible and engaging for junior performers and audiences.
This is the 3rd children’s production for Momentum, and done in partnership with the city of Alexandria’s recreation department. Momentum provides both its after-school arts education programs, and its children’s theater program free of cost to all Alexandria youth, working to fulfill its mission of “using the arts as a conduit to educate, enrich, and empower the lives of youth”.
Synopsis:
Willy Wonka, the eccentric and mysterious candy maker, announces that he has hidden five golden tickets in his famous Wonka Bars. These tickets grant their finders a tour of his incredible factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate. Among the winners are four rather ill-behaved children and the humble, kind-hearted Charlie Bucket. Charlie comes from a loving family, but one that has fallen on hard financial times.
As the children explore the factory, they encounter various magical wonders and learn important life lessons. The factory’s wonders include the Chocolate River, the Everlasting Gobstoppers, and the enigmatic Oompa-Loompas, who deliver catchy, moralistic songs along the way. In the end, Charlie’s honesty and good nature win Willy Wonka’s admiration, leading to an unexpected and heartwarming conclusion.