Review in Brief: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Is this really a world of pure imagination? 

Photo by Joan Marcus

How do you feel about Roald Dahl?

Let me back up. It seems to me that when it comes to opinions about the tenor of art marketed towards children, there are two decidedly different camps. On the Disney-fication side are those who only want positive, colorful, sanitized versions of stories. "Let the kids be kids," they might say; "protect their innocence." On the other side are the dark-hearted "realists" - the Brothers' Grimms and Roald Dahls - who say "this world is trash - kids should know that as soon as possible."

Photo by Joan Marcus

Because of this deeply split perspective, your opinion on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, now showing at the Orpheum Theater through Sunday, might vary wildly. Dahl aficionados should leave pleased at a standard presentation of one of his most beloved stories. Disney fans will likely leave disappointed at the lack of spectacle they are used to in signature stagings like Lion King or Aladdin.

Photo by Joan Marcus

Quickly for those in the dark: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tells the story of Charlie Bucket, a young boy living in extreme poverty under the ominous shadow of a candy factory. Charlie loves chocolate - a treat he only receives once a year - and dreams of touring the factory to learn how his hero Willy Wonka makes all of his favorite treats. Unbeknownst to Charlie he meets his hero in disguise and inspires him to open his factory up to tours for children with golden tickets and a contest to win a lifetime supply of Wonka chocolate. The chance to win a golden ticket inspires a worldwide Wonka frenzy, and despite all odds Charlie gets his golden ticket to enter the contest. A number of odd (and horrifying) things happen during the factory tour, but Charlie ultimately leaves Wonka with everything he desires most.

Photo by Joan Marcus

There were a few real standouts among the cast of this show. As Charlie's mother, Amanda Rose boasts a pristine voice and winning Ellie Kemper-like quality that I found totally charming. Rueby Wood was the image of Charlie, and he steered the show with a confidence quite outside his age. James Young was a little wobbly in the vocals as Charlie's Grandpa Joe, but his sweet mannerism and blustery delivery made the character a highlight. Benjamin Howes skips Johnny Depp and heads straight to a Gene Wilder iteration of Willy Wonka, a decision that seemed to be a crowd pleaser. And something about Daniel Quadrino's cameos as Mike Teavee had me giggling in stitches throughout the show - "Chocolate Neeeeeews!" might just become my new tagline thanks to him.

Photo by Joan Marcus

To be honest, I found the production design overall a little underwhelming. I came expecting the Dahl equivalent of the Cave of Wonders, but the bulk of the production relied so heavily on projections that it almost felt like I was watching a movie with live actors. I wanted a little more of the tactile magic I've seen in other shows and the preponderance of projections felt like it stole that magic away. I realize that not everything can be Disney level, but Willy Wonka's factory is such a fantastical world - can't we do a little more to bring that magic to physical life?

Photo by Joan Marcus

I'm somewhere between the Dahl vs. Disney camps - I appreciate Dahl's perspective, but sometimes it can be a little *too* dark for me. The main reason I wanted to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory live was to re-discover that sense of wonder in the factory; this seemed like the perfect kind of show to go really over the top. While the overall effect was successful, it didn't have that magical, lush quality that I was looking for. The audience was delighted throughout the show with the Oompa Loompas and kitschy asides, so if you're a giant fan of this story you will probably still enjoy it. There are several ear-worms among the soundtrack - "Willy Wonka," "Pure Imagination" and "If Your Father Were Here" were all standouts - that I haven't stopped humming since I left the theater. I'm glad I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this time around, but I don't think I'll attend again. If you want to check it out on your own (and you should! don't take my word for it), make sure to click here for more information and to buy tickets.

Photo by Joan Marcus