The Bushnell, Hartford, CT
through February 24, 2019
by Michael J. Moran
Based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s novel of the same
name, which also inspired two popular films, this 2013 musical opened in
London, running for three and a half years before a reworked version
transferred to Broadway, where it ran for nine months before launching the
current national tour.
With a book by David Greig, and music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman
and Scott Wittman (the “Hairspray” team), the production tells the story of how
and why legendary chocolatier Willy Wonka reopens his mysterious chocolate
factory for a tour by five lucky winners of golden tickets found in Wonka candy
bars. Replacing the injured actor Noah Weisberg for the entire Hartford run,
stand-in Benjamin Howes is a kinetic and appealing Wonka, rivaling even Gene
Wilder in the 1971 film, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
Unlike in the book and films, Wonka doubles in the stage
version as the candyshop-keeper who opens the show with its most familiar
musical number, “The Candy Man” (yes, the Sammy Davis, Jr. hit). This is one of
three songs by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley from the film that are
featured in the show, along with “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket” and “Pure
Imagination.” The charismatic rendition by Howes quickly sweeps the audience
into the musical’s magic spell.
While all five golden ticket winners are children, only the
titular Charlie Bucket is played by a child actor. As on Broadway, three young
actors alternate performances in the touring cast. On opening night 10-year-old,
Henry Boshart gave a sweet, winning account of the role. He was ably supported
by the heart-warming Amanda Rose (who nails her solo “If Your Father Were
Here”) as his mother, and by the magnetic Colin Bradbury as his Grandpa Joe,
who joins Charlie on his life-changing Wonka tour. Hilarious Brynn Williams as
chewing-gum-loving “queen of pop” Violet and spacey Daniel Quadrino as “vidiot”
Mike Teavee stood out as obnoxious fellow tourists.
While some antics in Act II may disturb the youngest
viewers, eye-popping projection design by Jeff Sugg, astonishing “puppet and
illusion design” (for Wonka’s “oompa loompa” employees) by Basil Twist,
exhilarating choreography by Joshua Bergasse, and joyous direction by Jack
O’Brien will captivate children of all ages who see this engaging production.
