Candy is dandy

Willy Wonka musical to open Thursday

Ken Yarbrough, director, at front, works with the cast of ‘Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr.’ on recent day. The musical production, a partnership between Port Aransas ISD and the Port Aransas Community Theatre, opens for a one-weekend-only run on Thursday, Nov. 21. Staff photo by Murray Judson

Ken Yarbrough, director, at front, works with the cast of ‘Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr.’ on recent day. The musical production, a partnership between Port Aransas ISD and the Port Aransas Community Theatre, opens for a one-weekend-only run on Thursday, Nov. 21. Staff photo by Murray Judson

Follow candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his candy bars. T.he story is now on stage at the Port Aransas Community Theatre.

The musical retelling of “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr.” is set for Thursday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 24.

Show times are 7 p. m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Ken Yarbrough is the director, the musical director is Amanda Tipps, choreographer is Jordan Bruster and technical directors are Debbi Berryhill and Yvette Jimenez. Set design is by Ray Dillahunty.

In the production, the finders of the golden tickets win a free tour of the Wonka candy factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy.

“Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather,” said Yarbrough. “The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka’s rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences.”

“PACT is proud to be collaborating with PAISD and the ACE after-school program to present this kid-friendly production, he said. “We are also thankful to Dairy Queen for being our sponsor.” The cast ranges in age from 8 to 14.

Starring in the musical are Aubree Boyer as Willy Wonka; Michaela Villagomez, Emily Durkin, Troi-Lynn Lancaster, Kirra Sohl and Adriel Jimenez as Oompa Loompas; Maddox Clarke as Charlie Bucket; Sean Durkin as Grandpa Joe; Magnolia Williams as Grandma Josephina, cook and squirrel; Lucas Alexander as Grandpa George and Oompa Loompa 7; Emma Crawford as Grandma Georgina and cook; Sean Merritt as Mr. Bucket; Gavin Colglazier as Mrs. Bucket; Halle Fish as Matilda and Oompa Loompa 1; Joseph Tocci as James and Oompa Loompa 6; Emma Hoffiens as Phineous Trout; Cash Mansfield as Augustus Gloop; Lila Bader as Mrs. Gloop; Caitlyn Boyer as Veruca Salt; Madeline Stunz as Mrs. Salt; Colibri Turicchi as Violet Beauregarde; Sasha Venezia as Mrs. Beauregarde; Ashton Riggs as Mike Teavee; Lexington Doty as Ms. Teavee; Michaela Villagomez as Candyman Kid; Raeleigh Ruiz, Ellie Crawford, Autumn LaFayette, Ellie Travis and Neveah Donez as Candyman Kids and Squirrels; Lilly Nixon and Kaitlyn Sterling as Candyman Kids and cooks; Emma Travis, Malana Peaslee and Lucy Pendleton as candy store owners and cooks.

Tickets are on sale at http:// www.portaransascommunitytheatre.com.

They may be purchased for $10 per person and $6 for kids 12 and under.

Tickets may be printed, held at the box office for the night of the performance or saved to a mobile phone on a downloaded app. Tickets also may be purchased by calling (361) 749-6036.

Any remaining tickets may be purchased at the box office before each performance via cash or credit card.

“We have so many exciting promotional additions to go with this event. Our concessions are overflowing with Wonka candy,” Bruster said. “We have giant, regular and mini Pixy Sticks, Nerds Rope, Laffy Taffy, Fun Dip, and bags of assorted Wonka candy.”

“We also will be giving out three golden ticket prizes each night in select bags of popcorn,” he said.

“Last but not least, for a reasonable price you and your family can have your photo taken in front of a colorful Willy Wonka background which has been set up in the PACT lounge room,” Bruster said. “These photos are printed here at PACT and sent home with you in lovely cardboard frames. For an additional fee you can get these photos taken after the show on the set with your favorite cast member.”

Volunteers are needed to work in the concession area, as ushers or handing out PACTbills at each performance.

To thank all who volunteer, the PACT invites the volunteers to stay and enjoy the performance.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering should email portaransascommunitytheatre@gmail.com, and someone will be in contact with you.

The PACT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization funded by donations, ticket sales and various fundraisers.

For more information about the PACT and upcoming shows and events, go to the website previously listed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.