Student actors at Columbia High School present “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” The play opened last night and continues tonight and tomorrow evening, March 8 and 9, at the Columbia Jr./Sr. High School auditorium. There’s a 2:00 pm Saturday matinée too!

Columbia High School’s production of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will feature (from left) Jeremy Beckley as Willy Wonka, Tyler Garrison as the Candy Man, and Brandon Somerville as Charlie Bucket – SOURCE: The Merchandiser

By Sara D. Ulrich | The Merchandiser

“Columbia High School (CHS) hopes audiences are prepared for a sugar rush as they present the beloved musical ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.’

“Audiences can expect all the light-hearted fun of the classic 1971 film starring Gene Wilder, which was based on Roald Dahl’s famous children’s book, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.’ Oompa-Loompas will take to the stage singing their classic tune, and fans of the original version of the musical can expect to hear ‘(I’ve got a) Golden Ticket,’ and ‘The Candy Man,’ amongst other favorite songs. Replacing the movie version’s golden egg-laying geese on Columbia’s stage, however, are the nut-inspecting squirrels, more accurate to the book and 2005 movie version starring Johnny Depp.

“The cast features 60 students from all three schools in the Columbia School District. Elementary school students are featured in various roles, including fifth-grader Tristan Anderson as Augustus Gloop, and sixth-grader Brandon Somerville in the lead role of Charlie Bucket.

“Brandon’s experience on stage includes last year’s roles in the school’s production of “The Wizard of Oz,” in which he played a flying monkey and a munchkin. As Charlie Bucket, Brandon will have his first solo on stage. When asked if he saw more acting in his future, Brandon played it cool, saying, ‘I don’t know (if I will do theater in the future), I just like it because it’s fun.’

“The man himself, Willy Wonka, will come to life on stage thanks to senior Jeremy Beckley. Although he is a stage veteran, portraying Young Scrooge in Columbia’s fall production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and playing drums in the pit orchestra for last year’s musical, this show will be Jeremy’s first experience singing a solo on stage. Jeremy, too, is uncertain of a future on the stage, saying ‘It has been a good experience, but I’m not sure (if I will continue after graduation).’ He added with a grin, ‘This is my first time singing solo in front of people, so we will see how that goes first.’ Jeremy does, however, intend to continue his band in college.

“The world of Willy Wonka is known as a colorful, sugary-sweet wonderland full of chocolate rivers and an edible jungle. Columbia High School’s team has aimed to capture all the candy-coated glory of Wonka’s imaginative chocolate factory for their production. Drama director Ja’net Wood explains, ‘The set was built by parents and family members, all volunteers, that we have dubbed the “WW Local 2013.”’

“The curtain will rise Thursday through Saturday, March 7, 8 and 9, with a 7 p.m. show-time. Saturday will also feature a matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are all general admission, with a discounted cost for students and senior citizens. Tickets will be available at the door.” The cast and crew have been hard at work since January, perfecting their characters and learning lines and cues. For the diligent and passionate kids involved in the production, rewards are sure to be sweeter than a Scrumdiddlyumptious bar.”

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