A part of the Broadway Junior Collection
Words and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Adapted for the Stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy A. McDonald
Based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
A Kaleidoscope Theatre
for Youth production
Directed by Russ Crespolini
Musical Direction by Alex Kariotis
Choreography by Cindy Jung
Produced by Abbe Maron
For questions about auditions or the production, send mail to
WillyWonka@SummitPlayhouse.org.
If you want to be on the Kaleidoscope mailing list,
send mail to
kaleidoscope-notices@SummitPlayhouse.org.
Auditions will be on Friday, May 16 from 6-9pm,
and Saturday, May 17 from 12-3pm.
Callbacks will be on Monday, May 19 by appointment.
Auditions will be at the Playhouse, 10 New England Ave, Summit, NJ
(directions).
Director Russ Crespolini is looking for talented, energetic kids, ages 8
to 18, who have what it takes to put their own unique spin on these classic
roles. The show, like the film, features a plethora of colorful characters
that are prominently featured.
Please prepare a song that shows personality and bring sheet music in your key.
An accompanist will be provided.
Choreographer Cindy Jung will be teaching a simple dance routine, so dress comfortably.
Performances are the last two weekends in July (July 18-27).
Some parts may be double cast. Rehearsals will begin at the end of May
and are held Sundays through Thursdays in the evenings.
Not everyone will be needed for all rehearsals,
but please bring a list of conflicts to rehearsals.
Those with significant conflicts will not be cast.
If cast, there will be a $30 costume fee.
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WILLY WONKA JR.
The show may say "junior" but there is nothing small about the size and
the scope of the production. Kaleidoscope is committed to giving patrons
Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to
find an heir. Peppered with colorful locations, a tour-de-force role for the
title character, songs from the film classic and some clever new additions,
Willy Wonka Junior allows performers and audiences alike to visit (or
revisit) that world of pure imagination.
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Characters:
Wonka: Willy Wonka is an enigmatic character; at once mysterious and
mischievous but also charismatic. The choice will be a young man (or a young
woman) who is charismatic, engaging and has a great voice. The actor should
be able to be funny and serious and change between the two on a dime. The
actor needs to be able to make the role instantly recognizable while making
it their own.
Charlie: The role of Charlie Bucket is the emotional heart and soul of the
musical. The actor performing Charlie should have lots of pluck and
enthusiasm. Charlie is in nearly every scene, so the actor must be prepared
to handle large amounts of dialogue and singing.
Grandpa Joe: Grandpa Joe is the grandfather we all wish we had when we
were Charlie's age. He is caring, patient, sweet and always reminds Charlie
to remain cheerful. The actor needs to play kind and funny. The role sings a
bit, but the singing is secondary.
Charlie's Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Bucket are great roles for young people
who have nice voices, and are natural nurturers. Both sing solos; Mr. Bucket
performs the number "Think Positive" with Charlie and Mrs. Bucket sings
"Cheer Up, Charlie" with Mr. Bucket and Grandpa Joe.
Phineous: Phineous Trout is the reporter who announces the winners of the
Golden Ticket contest throughout the show. The role requires some singing,
and the actor needs to be bombastic, energetic and capable of mocking our
current media system. Either a boy or a girl can play the role.
Oompa Lommpas: The backbone of the show. The Oompa-Loompa Chorus serves as
the story tellers throughout the show. They are crucial to the performance
and will be a variety of ages and sizes. And they will all be ADORABLE.
Augustus: Augustus Gloop is the overachieving eater who represents the
evils of eating too much. The weight of the child will not be a factor in
casting. Either a boy or a girl acting like a boy can play Augustus.
Augustus sings "I Eat More!" along with his mother and Phineous Trout. The
song is on the difficult side, but does not need to be sung with a polished
pretty voice, in fact, the more character the better.
Mrs. Gloop: Mrs. Gloop is Augustus' mother who has overindulged her son
with food. She accompanies Augustus on the tour of the factory, and sings "I
Eat More!" which is one of the more difficult songs in the score for young
people. The role requires a character actress who isn't afraid to take
positive risks both in her acting and her singing.
Mike Teavee: For this adaptation Mike Teavee is not just a TV junky. He is
also addicted to video games, the Internet and any other mindnumbing
technological device. Mike is bratty, loud and obnoxious. He does not know
the word "no." Mike could also be portrayed by a girl playing a boy.
Ms. Teavee: Ms. Teavee is a take on all television moms of the distant
past. Think June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) or Marion Cunningham (Happy
Days) or even Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch). She's perfectly put together
and a bit vacant.
Violet: Gum chewer extraordinaire, Violet Beauregarde hails from
Snellville, Georgia, so she needs to have a Southern American accent. Violet
should stand in stark contrast to Veruca Salt. Veruca is a wealthy refined
brat; Violet is more of a bluecollar, middle class brat. She sings "Chew It"
along with Willy Wonka. The song is a tour-de-force for the right voice, so
the actress must have a strong voice.
Mrs. Beauregarde: Mrs. Beauregarde is a teacher of geography and has
invested a great deal of hard-earned money on therapy for her orally fixated
daughter, with less than stellar results. Her accent should match Violet's
and the duo should work well on stage together.
Veruca: Veruca Salt is the wealthy, class-conscious, spoiled brat. She is
often portrayed with a high British accent. Veruca's solo number "I Want It
Now" is deceptively tricky and comes late in the show, so the actress must
have a strong voice.
Mr. Salt: Mr. Salt's solution to most problems is to buy his way out. He
is upper class, and usually portrayed with a high British accent. He sings
and must have good comedic timing with Wonka and Veruca. A female actress
playing male may also play the role.
Charlie's Grandparents: Grandma Josephina, Grandma Georgina and Grandpa
George Charlie's three grandparents are mainly non-singing character roles.
The actors in these roles need to be innately interesting, who have good
comic timing and are solid actors.
Charlie's friends: James is Charlie's friend from school. He has a few
lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with Matilda and
Charlie. Matilda is also a schoolmate of Charlie's, but she's a bit of
bully. Matilda has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man"
along with James and Charlie.