COLUMBUS, Ohio — Theater fans throughout central Ohio are in for a scrumptious sweet treat as Wagnalls Community Theater in Lithopolis serves up a special mix of music and magic with their take on Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory.
"It's a super fun show; we've got kids; we've got adults," said Jill Henwood, the director of "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka." "There are definitely some differences between Willy Wonka on stage and Willy Wonka in either of the movies that you've seen."
Henwood cited their production's presentation of the Oompa Loompas as an example of the differing interpretations.
Wagnalls' version of the classic characters sees the candy man's assistants as superstar tap dancers. However, Henwood promises that a lot of what fans of the films love about those adaptations will still come through in the show.
Henwood can't say enough good things about her cast and crew, but she pays special attention to singing the praises of the collection of kids at the heart of the story. Henwood encourages parents to allow kids to explore theater as a way to express themselves.
“For kids to come into a space anywhere and just be able to leave all the pressures, the stress and worries and everything else, and come into a theater and leave all of that somewhere else and put on a new face, put on new clothes, play a completely different character,” said Henwood, “they'll have fun; they'll learn things; their confidence will grow; their self-esteem will be better. It’s just a magical experience.”
Wagnalls Community Theater's production of "Willy Wonka" runs through Nov. 12 in Lithopolis. For showtimes and ticket information, visit their website: https://www.wagnallsfoundation.org/page/theater.
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