Willy Wonka for Sydney next year
Theatre producers John Frost, Craig Donnell, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Langley Park Productions and Neal Street Productions will be bringing the new musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in January next year.
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the perfect recipe for a treat: songs from the original film including Pure Imagination, The Candy Man and I’ve Got a Golden Ticket, alongside a new score from the songwriters of Hairspray.
“Sydney has a huge treat in store next summer, and it’s a magical concoction ready to satisfy any sweet tooth looking for a golden ticket. The world fell in love with Roald Dahl’s bewitching tale when the book was released, then filmgoers adored the 1971 film with Gene Wilder. Now prepare to be enchanted by the story once again on stage,” said John Frost. “I’m thrilled to bring this captivating production to Australia for the first time.”
“I fell in love with Charlie and Willy Wonka on Broadway last year, and can’t wait to share it with Australian audiences,” added Craig Donnell. “The pure joy on the faces of the audience, which ranged from 8 to 80, was wonderful to see. I know Australia will love this wonderful show as much as I do.”
The Australian premiere has been secured exclusively for Sydney by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has proved to be one of the most enduring children’s books. The story of Charlie Bucket, the five Golden Tickets, the Oompa-Loompas and the amazing Willy Wonka has become firmly embedded in our culture since it was first published in 1964. Conservative estimates suggest the original book has sold over 20 million copies worldwide; it is now available in 55 languages.
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features direction by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien, music by Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award winner Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award winners Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, a book by Artistic Director of Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum theatre David Greig, choreography by Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse, and includes additional songs by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley from the 1971 Warner Bros motion picture. Scenic and costume design is by five-time Tony Award nominee Mark Thompson, lighting design by four-time Tony Award nominee Japhy Weideman, sound design by Andrew Keister, projection design by Jeff Sugg, puppet and illusion design by Obie and Drama Desk Award winner Basil Twist, and music supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck.
Waitlist now for tickets at CharlieTheMusical.com.au