THEATRE + COMEDY

Houston Family Arts Center (HFAC) proudly announces a delicious new production of WILLY WONKA, directed by Joshua Clark with musical direction by Pamela M. Moore and choreography by Beth Chrisman. A scrumptious treat for the entire family, WILLY WONKA opens on Friday, March 4, 2011, at The Berry Center 8877 Barker Cypress Rd, Cypress, TX 77433, where the show will run through Sunday, March 20, 2011.

Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life on The Berry Center theatre stage in this delicious new musical adaptation of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Willy Wonka and his band of Oompa Loompas lead Charlie Bucket, the spoiled-rotten Veruca Salt, gluttonous Augustus Gloop, gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde and television junkie Mike Teavee through a labyrinth of candy, life lessons and laughs galore.

WILLY WONKA features plenty of surprises and memorable songs from the cult classic 1971 film including, “Pure Imagination,” “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” “I Want it Now” and “The Candy Man.” Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse (Doctor Doolittle) and Tim McDonald, WILLY WONKA features music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley (Stop the World – I Want to Get Off).

“Willy Wonka is a show that everyone can relate to and fall in love with. It’s a show that reminds us what life should be all about,” said Joshua Clark, Willy Wonka Director. “It‘s not about money. It’s not about success. It’s not about power or greed. Life is all about love and family. Willy Wonka is one of those shows that brings out the inner child in all of us and helps us experience the sense of awe and wonder that we seldom see anymore.”

Clark continued, “This show is a testimony to what life can be like if we just dream big and reach for our dreams. Too often we allow others to convince us to give up on our dreams. We need shows like Willy Wonka to remind us that dreams can come true and that we can live happily ever after.”

“I hope you have a wonderful time as you enter the world of my imagination,” says Clark. “You will see dancing, magic, gymnastics, hip hop, little people, neon tutus, amazing edible candy, a cast of 86 incredibly talented actors, and more wonderful things than your senses can take in.”

The cast of WILLY WONKA includes Norris Thompson II as “Willy Wonka,” Caroline Harper and Samuel Pillion as “Charlie Bucket,” Tjade Goley as “Candy Man”, J. Blancard as “Phineous Trout,” David Chrisman as “Grandpa Joe,” Megan Blanchard as “Mrs. Bucket,” Chase Godwin and Lucas Phillips as “Augustus Gloop,” Michel Brown and Jody Haas as “Mrs. Gloop,” Christie Boriack and Addison Gaetano as “Veruca Salt,” Tracy Clayton as “Mr. Salt,” Mihir Kulkarni as “Mike Teavee,” Katie Curry as “Ms. Teavee,” Cheznay Dones and Leila Jammal as “Violet Beauregarde,” Nora Hahn as “Mrs. Beauregarde,” Richard Hahn as “Grandpa George,” Gail Johnson as “Grandma Josephine,” and Jillian Schertle as “Grandma Georgina.”

WILLY WONKA features Scenic Designs by Lisa Garza, Set Construction by Hannes Furter, Costume Designs by Lindsay Burns, and Sound Designs by Tracy Clayton.

Experience the Power of Pure Imagination at The Berry Center in the HFAC Production of Willy Wonka.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Performance Location: The Berry Center 8877 Barker Cypress Rd, Cypress, TX 77433 (easily accessible from 290 and I-10).

Opening: FRIDAY, March 4 at 8 pm

Performances:
Friday, March 4 at 8 PM
Saturday, March 5 at 3 PM
Friday, March 11 at 8 PM
Saturday, March 12 at 3 PM
Sunday, March 13 at 3 PM
Friday, March 18 at 8 PM
Saturday, March 19 at 3 PM
Sunday, March 20 at 3 PM

TICKET PRICES: $16/adults, $14/seniors (65+), $12/students, reserved seating. Select your seats online at www.houstonfac.com  or call the HFAC Box Office at 281-685-6374.

HFAC SEASON SPONSORS
Dr. Mario and Lisa Garza
National Oilwell Varco
North Cypress Medical Center

HOUSTON FAMILY ARTS CENTER – THEATRE AND ACTORS ACADEMY
Houston Family Arts Center (HFAC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, founded in November 2005 to provide a fun outlet for creative community involvement through the production of high-quality, family-friendly, affordable entertainment. Each year, HFAC produces family-friendly musicals, comedies, and dramas. The HFAC Actors Academy provides numerous acting, singing and dancing classes and workshops for children, teens, and adults. HFAC is the recipient of the 2009 & 2010 Nickelodeon Parents’ Picks Award for “Houston’s Best Theater Group for Kids.”

To purchase tickets, sign up for auditions or classes, or for more information, please visit www.houstonfac.com  or call HFAC Box Office at 281-685-6374 or HFAC Actors Academy at 281-685-2623.

Pictured Above:  Detail of Group Image (full image below).

Pictured Below:
Trio Left to Right: Samuel Pillion as Charlie Bucket and Norris Thompson II as Willy Wonka

Pair Left to Right: David Chrisman as Grandpa Joe, Caroline Harper as Charlie Bucket, and Norris Thompson II as Willy Wonka

Group Rear: ear: Norris Thompson II as Willy Wonka, Middle: Roger Kercheval Papa Oompa Loompa and with the Oompa Loompas

Photo Credits: HFAC by Bob Clark.