Darlington to present “Willy Wonka JR.” April 28-29

Students in grades 3-8 will soon take the stage in the fine arts department’s production of Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka JR.” in the Zelle Black Box Theatre, April 28-29. Performances will take place on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

This year’s Thatcher Hall Spring Musical will light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale of the delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder in addition to a host of fun new songs, “Willy Wonka JR.” is a scrumdiddlyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth.

“Willy Wonka JR.” follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka 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. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory – or suffer the consequences.

“We are really excited to put together the third spring musical in Thatcher Hall,” said Kimberly Human, Pre-K to 8 music teacher. “This is a very talented and diverse cast involving students that I never imagined would audition.”

Students have been rehearsing weekly since winter break and have also been called on to use time outside of practice to prepare for their roles.

“We’re very excited to be back in the Black Box Theatre for this play,” continued Human. “Production has been a full-school effort with a team of Upper School students assisting as mentors in choreography and costume design. The Upper School stagecraft class is building the stage. It has been my goal to keep the production as student-driven as we are able at this age. We love when students take such strong ownership of a musical as they have with ‘Willy Wonka JR.’”

Tickets for the spring play are $7 each. Due to the limited seating available in the Zelle Black Box Theatre, all patrons are asked to reserve seats for this event in advance. Click here to reserve seats. 

For more information about Darlington's production of "Willy Wonka JR.," contact the box office at 706-368-5256 or email boxoffice@darlingtonschool.org.