Overview
Synopsis
Roald Dahl’s celebrated tale of Charlie Bucket and the eccentric confectioner, Willy Wonka, was reworked for the stage in 2013 with a new book and score from David Greig, Marc Shaiman, and Scott Wittman.
When young Charlie wins a golden ticket to the mysterious Wonka Chocolate Factory, it's the chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets and chocolates that have always been right under his nose but unaffordable for the Bucket family. Could it also be his family’s route out of poverty? Along with the other winners--Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, Mike Teavee, and Augustus Gloop--Charlie is swept inside of the mysterious factory with his Grandpa Joe. Inside, the winners encounter a magical world full of amazement, innovation, sugary treats, and, of course, Oompa-Loompas. But as the winners begin to let their greed and selfish nature's get the better of them, it seems that everything is not as sweet as it seems. Finally, Charlie is the last child standing--the only child not to have succumbed to the sweet temptations of Willy Wonka’s magical world. His humble, loyal nature has not gone unnoticed by Mr. Wonka, and Charlie’s reward is more than he could ever have dreamed.
Show Information
- Book
- David Greig
- Music
- Marc Shaiman
- Lyrics
- Marc Shaiman , Scott Wittman
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2013
- Genres
- Comedy, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Present Day
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Early Teen, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult, Elderly Characters
Context
The musical is based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which had previously been adapted into a 1971 film (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory), with songs by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, and a 2005 film directed by Tim Burton, with music by Danny Elfman. Stage rights were acquired by producer Sam Mendes in 2010. The goal was to create a major West End musical adaptation with a fresh, theatrical approach while honoring the whimsical spirit of the original.
to read the context for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
We begin with a surprise entrance—Willy Wonka himself steps forward. He’s the world’s most famous candy maker and the mind behind marvels like the Everlasting Gobstopper. But now, he feels forgotten. So, he disguises himself as an ordinary candy shop owner and meets a bright young boy named Charlie Bucket, who is absolutely fascinated by Wonka and his inventions.
In the musical number “The Candy Man,” Wonka introduces the magic of sweets and sets the tone for the whimsical world
to read the plot for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Treble/Boy Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- "Overture" - Orchestra
- "The Candy Man" - Willy Wonka, Ensemble
- * "Willy Wonka! Willy Wonka!" - Charlie Bucket, Ensemble
- "The Candy Man (Reprise)" - Charlie Bucket
- "Charlie, You & I" - Grandpa Joe, Charlie Bucket
- "A Letter From Charlie Bucket" - Charlie Bucket, Mrs. Bucket, Grandparents
- "More Of Him To Love" - Mrs. Gloop, Augustus Gloop, Ensemble
- * "When Veruca Says" - Mr. Salt, Veruca Salt
- * "The Queen Of Pop" - Mr. Beauregarde, Violet Beauregarde, Gum Chompin' Divas
- "That Little Man Of Mine" - Mrs. Teavee, Mike Teavee
- "If Your Father Were Here" - Mrs. Bucket, Grandparents
- "I've Got A Golden Ticket" - Charlie Bucket, Grandpa Joe, Mrs. Bucket, Grandparents
- "It Must Be Believed To Be Seen" - Willy Wonka, Golden Ticket Winners, Ensemble
Act Two
- "Strike That, Reverse It" - Willy Wonka, Golden Ticket Winners
- "Pure Imagination" - Willy Wonka, Charlie Bucket, Golden Ticket Winners
- "Auf Wiedersehen Augustus Gloop" - Oompa Loompas, Willy Wonka, Mrs. Gloop
- "You Got Whacha Want” - Oompa Loompas, Willy Wonka
- * "Veruca's Nutcracker Sweet" - Oompa Loompas, Veruca Salt, Mr. Salt
- "Vidiots" - Oompa Loompas, Willy Wonka, Mrs. Teavee
- "That Little Man Of Mine (Reprise)" - Mrs. Teavee
- "The View From Here" - Willy Wonka, Charlie Bucket
Editor’s Note: This song guide is based on the current version of the show licensed by MTI
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
A song that uses short stanzas to tell a story about love.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher