Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

With the Tony Awards® broadcast on Sunday, June 11, Broadway shows fall over one another to open as close as possible to the April 27 qualifying date. That way, when the 51 Tony Nominators meet to consider the 45 shows in the 2016-17 season in 24 award categories, they are fresh in their minds. Fourteen shows opened in April alone.

New Musicals

Among them were several musicals – some, like the witty Ground Hog Day with an energetic score by Tim Minchin (Roald Dahl’s Matilda) were memorable, while others, such as the ill-conceived (already closed) Amelie, forgettable. Somewhere in-between was another Roald Dahl creation, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Certainly, the most expensive and eye popping, Charlie is one of two musicals aimed at family theatregoers. (We will review the other – Anastasia –next month.) Charlie stars the estimable Christian Borle, who – when he finally lets loose in the second act – is the archetype of a Broadway song and dance man (think the late Peter Allen or the very alive Hugh Jackman). Coming off a similar star-turn in Something Rotten! many would pay just to see him perform.

The Story

For those of you not familiar with the 1964 novel or the popular 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the story revolves around an eccentric maker of chocolate (Willy Wonka) who has been out of the public eye for years and is now looking for an heir to take over his chocolate empire. Through a contest where golden tickets are hidden inside Wonka chocolate bars, five contestants emerge including Charlie Bucket (I saw Ryan Foust, one of three actors alternating the part), a sweet youngster with a strong moral compass. It takes of all of act one, however, to get to the point where Charlie is ready to pass through the gates of this strange chocolate kingdom. From there on theatrical fireworks take hold, but it may be tough for the very youngest to patiently get to that point.

Big Finish

Act two is where the huge sums Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures is reputed to have spent becomes apparent. Magical special effects fill the stage. I frankly could not see how the glass booth levitated with Charlie and Willy Wonka inside. By then, each of the other four contestants have met their nefarious, sometimes, queasy, end. Each of these other four youngsters is played by young, by not child, actors, which puts a special light on Charlie. Among the four is Emma Pfaeffle, who as the spoiled daddy’s girl, Varuca, is a delightful Russian prima donna ballerina. Jackie Hoffman’s comedic talent shines as the mother of Mike Teavee, the fourth and most “TV” addicted contestant.

Four songs carry over from the 1971 movie including “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination.” The rest of the score, by the talented team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Smash), is not on the same level. On the other hand, Joshua Bergesse’s choreography with Basil Twist’s Oompa Loompa puppets is quite charming. (You may recall that the Oompa Loompas are Wonka’s factory workers.)

In all, this version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a flawed production. That said, the familiar story and unique stagecraft, especially in the second act, will appeal to children of all ages. Adults can revel in the performance of Christine Borle who, on several occasions, brings Willy Wonka and the entire show to life.

George A. Wachtel is president of Audience Research & Analysis, A New York City-based market research firm specializing in arts and entertainment.