Join Jefferson City High School for their fall play that's a world of pure imagination, with a twist.
JCHS's drama club presents "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" at 7 p.m. Nov 4-6 at the Miller Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students, and they can be purchased at the door. Ages 5 and younger are admitted free, and it's rated G for all audiences.
The play follows the plot of the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" along with musical numbers and inspiration from the musical "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." The film of the same name celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, so movie houses and theaters alike have been showing the psychedelic children's tale through the summer.
The original story written by Roald Dahl follows Charlie Bucket, one of five lucky winners of golden tickets which get them a tour of the chocolate factory of eclectic candy maker, Willy Wonka. Aided by Oompa Loompa workers, it is revealed along the way that Wonka has an ulterior motive for the tour, which comes out when the children show their true colors.
When auditions began in August, many actors were interested in playing side characters, so director Zachary McKinney jumped in to choose the leads, Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka. He decided to give them to two women, with Addison Ganey as Charlie and Aubrey Gogel as Wonka. Ganey auditioned to play the male character, while Gogel auditioned as a female Wonka - McKinney loved the way they took on their respective roles, so the play was adapted.
Ganey remembers auditioning alongside male actors, not knowing if she would get the role. When the cast list was posted, she remembers screaming with excitement down the hallway.
"I'm proud of all the roles I've gotten, but it was really cool to have your senior year be a really big role - and one that's not normally played by a girl," she said.
Gogel has been happy about playing a female version of the flamboyant chocolatier, not only as a senior in a lead role but also as part of a female-led show.
"It's really special to be a part I'd never thought I'd be able to play," she said.
The actors have brought more character development to what McKinney calls "a gender-bending adaptation." Gogel has adapted a voice that matches Wonka's energy (and at times, fits the spookiness of certain numbers) while Ganey sports a wig to fit the movie version's Charlie.
"There was a different level of sincerity with Addison playing (Charlie) - she did a really good job of bringing that out because she's a sweet person naturally," the director said. "With Aubrey, she had fun being more whimsical and playful instead of that dry sense of humor that Johnny Depp (Wonka in the movie adaptation) has."
McKinney sought to bring the film's colors to light through an eye-popping set design, which was a combined effort of parents, the art department and McKinney himself.
"The set design in general was very important. We wanted it to be eye popping and reminiscent of the film because that's what people expect. They don't want to see black boxes; they want to see colorful designs and creative costumes."
There will be props audiences will recognize - like the pink candy boat from the Tunnel of Terror and the edible Eden of the Land of Candy - and familiar songs, like "Golden Ticket" and "Pure Imagination." McKinney also wanted to recreate the children meeting their fates, like Violet Beauregarde's transformation into a blueberry and Mike Teavee's shrinking himself.
"It's exciting for people to see how we accomplish things," McKinney said. "In a movie, you can get away with those things pretty easily; on stage is more limited. It's fun to work with."
In light of having many young, new members this year, drama club council leaders Jillian Wells, Emma Fickter and Ganey have been proud of the older members who have stepped up to lead and encourage those who will be a part of the club next year. It was their priority that all of the roles felt recognized, Fickter said.
"We've grown a lot as a team," Ganey added. "Everyone here is super proud of the work they've been putting in."
COVID-19 precautions will be observed in the theater: Masks are suggested but not required and will be available upon request. Sanitary precautions like hand sanitizer are provided; concessions will not be available. For more information, visit the club's Twitter at @DramaJCHS and Instagram at @jchs_drama_club, or email McKinney at [email protected].