Local News - January 2003

Charlie & Chocolate on stage

By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer

January 13, 2003 - A crew cruising by on a great pink yacht, and a stick of chewing gum that’s actually a three course meal? All things are possible in the Lincoln Theatre Guild’s production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

The play, originally written by Roald Dahl, takes audiences from the poverty-stricken home of Charlie Bucket to the animated world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

“It’s a happy and successful compromise between children’s fantasy and adult entertainment,” says Barrie Howard, director.

The LTG production includes a cast of about 30 adults and children.

The story pauses periodically for comic relief. Two narrators — played by Rodney Robbins and Cassidy Sugg — fill in the audience on what’s happening in the world of Wonka.

Howard says he sees the narrators as emcees for the night.

A teen trio also help the audience along by singing explanations of occurrences throughout the play. But these aren’t everyday average teenagers. They sing, they dance, and they translate. They are Oompa-teens.

“We created those characters,” Howard says. “We wanted to include children, but the Oompa Loompa lines were written for adults. My compromise was to create Oompa teenagers.”

Oompa teens are not the only elements Howard has added to the play. He has created a chorus and written music for the production.

“I included music for two reasons. I thought it would enhance the show, and it was too short,” Howard says laughing.

Those familiar with the movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will see an obvious difference between the big screen and the stage production. Howard says the play was written prior to the movie.

Howard admits he had never watched the movie in completion until recently. Once he began working on the play, he was amazed at how many people were familiar with it.

“I’ve been blown away by the reaction from the younger generation.”

There has been so much interest in the production that three special performances have been scheduled for schools on Wednesday. Children from Gaston and Lincoln County schools will attend the shows.

“It’s a phenomenal response with calls from all over the area,” Howard says.

The cast has come a long way since the first rehearsal, says Howard. He has enjoyed watching them develop their characters. While some are LTG veterans, many will make their acting debut in “Charlie.”

The director has high hopes for audiences.

“Everybody will have a good time at this show, and they’ll leave after an hour and half wishing it were a little longer. And that’s the way to end one.”

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” will be performed Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Lincoln Cultural Center.

Tickets are available in advance or at the door: $10 for adults, $7 for students and senior citizens. For ticket information call 704-735-2281.

The production is sponsored by Wireway/Husky. A chocolate reception will be held Saturday and Sunday, sponsored by John E. Marshall, MD and Dianna M. Forsythe, LPC.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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