Wooster High’s 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory promises' a sweet theatrical treat

After a two-year wait, the new musical “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” finally arrives at the doors of Wooster High School’s Performing Arts Center, and Director Brett Hiner hopes it was worth the wait.

“We have been sitting on the ‘Charlie’ license for well over two years,” Hiner said. “When we discovered that last year was the club’s 100th birthday, we felt ‘Annie’ better fit that celebration, but I knew we would circle back to this musical ASAP. I hope our audiences agree that it was well worth the wait. They are in for quite the treat."

Based on Roald Dahl's classic novel, with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and a book by David Greig, this new version of Charlie’s story is less than 10 years removed from Broadway. While it follows the traditional “Charlie” storyline and the character’s quest to find the elusive fifth golden ticket, not much else remains from the original, musically speaking.

“Aside from three classic, and necessary, songs from the movie, musically, it is very different than the ‘Willy Wonka’ musical that has been produced in years past," Assistant Director Kristi Hiner said. "This new version is even wackier and a lot more fun than the original. The songs are as catchy as any in musical theater.” 

Taking the PAC Stage is a cast of over 50 students, ranging in grades eight through 12. They are led by sophomore Afton Karazsia, playing Charlie Bucket, and junior Dane Kuzma, playing Willy Wonka.

“I hope the audience is blown away by everything that is going into this production — the visually stunning set, the costumes and the incredible talent of everyone involved,” Karazsia said. “We’ve all put so much heart into making this show amazing, and I want people to feel the excitement and magic that we’ve felt throughout the process."

Kuzma, taking the stage for the seventh time with the drama club, agrees.

“This show is like nothing I’ve ever done or seen before," Kuzma said. "I’m so excited to get to do such a great show, and I could not be more excited for the Wooster community to see the huge production we are putting on.”

The cast is joined by over 20 student crew members and 15 musicians in the live pit orchestra, led by pit conductor Kevin Walters.

For the first time since COVID, the Drama Club featured a pit last year for “Annie,” and all are thankful for their return, a year later, for this production.

“A live orchestra adds so much to the musical theater experience, and we are blessed Mr. Walters has taken that task on," Kristi Hiner said. "The ‘Charlie’ music is quite difficult and runs the gamut in terms of musical stylings, but they [the students] have embraced the challenge.”

In the end, Brett Hiner hopes the timeliness of Charlie’s dreams and pure imagination are what will most remain with the audience. 

“In our version, ‘Charlie’ is a girl, but at no point have I really given much thought to the gender flip," Brett Hiner said. "Most of that is a credit to Afton, but also the fact that Charlie’s kindness and gentle spirit, in the face of tough circumstances, is one we can all aspire to, regardless of age or gender. Rooting for the underdog is a theatrical motif that will never get old."

The factory doors to “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” are open for two weekends only. Shows are Nov. 14, Nov. 15 and Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 16 and Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens and can be purchased at the door or online by visiting www.ticketpeak.co/whsdrama.