I wasn’t a big fan of fantasy stories as a kid. I preferred something like Little Women over The Lord of the Rings for example. The one exception to this rule was author Roald Dahl. His mixture of whimsy and realism really worked for me and I was a big fan of books like The Witches, Matilda, and the underrated George’s Marvelous Medicine. I had heard about the new adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when it opened on Broadway back in 2017 so I was excited to see it on opening night at The Ruth in Pleasant Grove. Like Matilda I have mixed feelings on the show itself but they did a terrific job with this production.

This version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has 4 songs from the beloved film starring Gene Wilder with songs by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. These are “The Candyman,” “Golden Ticket, “Oompa Loompa” and “Pure Imagination” which are not surprisingly by far the strongest songs of the night. The book follows the novel fairly accurately and gives us act 1 leading up to the factory and Act 2 inside with the kids on the tour with Wonka. For me at least I far more enjoyed Act 1 over Act 2. You’d think everything in the factory would be magical but it really was quite a slog for one major reason- very little Charlie.

For most of Act 2 Charlie is sidelined to allow each of the other ticket winners to have their demise within the factory. I really was not a fan of how they modernized all of the kids and am mystified anyone thought it was a good idea to give them such cringe updates. For example, they have Violet be an influencer singing “The Queen of Pop” (because she likes bubble gum get it…) Where’s the whimsy, the charm in any of that? Mike Teavee was always a smart-allick but in this he’s cynical cliched gen z child who can’t be impressed by anything with an insufferable alcoholic mother. They made Veruca a Russian ballet dancer for some reason and give her a bizarre song called “Veruca’s Nutcracker: Sweet” (get it sweet instead of suite…)

In contrast, when the narrative would get back to Charlie and his hopes and dreams I was charmed again. His plucky spirit and hope is so much better than what they decided to do with the other ticket winners. There’s a lot more of Charlie in Act 1 so I enjoyed that much more.

As far as the production at The Ruth goes director Rob Moffat has brought together many elements to make a memorable impression on stage. The lighting by Renee Fowler has an 80s pop feel that kept surprising me (the stage is surrounded by panels of light that changed depending on the section of the factory.) They also add to the whimsy with a topsy turvy set designed by Carter Thompson. I particularly enjoyed Charlie’s house and the candy store in Act 1 although I thought all of the sets could have been a little larger and filled up the stage more fully. This would have added to the immersion but they are impressive sets.

I absolutely loved Flynn Mitchell as Charlie and he had a nice chemistry with Taylor Morris as Wonka. Morris gets the right mixture of kindness and mischievousness that you need for the character. All of the other ticket winners do a good job with their roles even if I wasn’t a big fan of the choices the book writers made for them. I did think it was really weird they cast some of the kids with adults and some with children. Usually in musicals if they have adults playing kids it’s consistent (like in Spelling Bee or You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.) It’s a little jarring to have it switch back and forth.

If you are a fan of Roald Dahl, the novel and the Gene Wilder film I recommend getting tickets for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at The Ruth. It’s not a perfect show but I did enjoy Charlie and Wonka and visually it’s an exciting production. It might be fun to see it and then compare it to the movie with your kids. Ask them what aspects they like in each. If you do get to see it let me know what you think. Plus, it might be a nice break from holiday fare on the stage as it plays through December 31st. Tickets can be purchased here.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman with lyrics by Scott Wittman and a book by David Greig with additional songs from Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Based on the novel by Roald Dahl and the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory directed by Mel Stewart. It premiered in the West End in 2013 and on Broadway in 2017 where it ran for 9 months.

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