For the first time ever, Iola Community Theatre’s fall production, “Willy Wonka Jr.,” promises to be sold out for all three performances.
“The Whitehead Trust stepped up and purchased all the children’s tickets and ICT will pay for all adult tickets,” said Richard Spencer, director of the show. “We wanted to make sure any child who wanted to see the show could,” which became possible through the generosity of the Whitehead Trust.
“Whitehead has helped us before, but nothing like this,” Spencer added.
He pointed that while tickets are free for the asking at Sophisticated Rose, 19 S. Jefferson Ave., all who come to the show must have a ticket, which will reserve a specific seat.
“We didn’t want to just say the show is free and then have too many show up for a performance and not have a seat for them,” Spencer said.
The show will be on the Bowlus Fine Arts Center auditorium stage Friday and Saturday night, Sept. 14 and 15, and Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
The cast includes 33 kids, ages 8 to 18.
“They’re all having a great time getting ready for the show,” Spencer said. “‘Willy’ has been popular with kids for years. Many of them grew up with it, and I’m sure they’ll enjoy this version.”
THE PLAY documents how Willy Wonka’s factory makes the best chocolate candy in the world. He eventually tires of people trying to steal his recipe.
He replaces workers with Loompas, miniature green-haired people from a far-off land, and also puts five golden tickets in candy bars. Finders of tickets are entitled to a free lifetime supply of Wonka chocolate.
The first four tickets are found by kids who disappoint Wonka, but the fifth, Charlie Bucket, is his kind of kid.
In the end — the story is so popular every one knows the ending — Charlie gets the factory, with the prospects of making kids smile ear-to-ear, with splashes of chocolate on their faces, ever after.
IT’S A FEEL-GOOD show throughout and one that Spencer said ICT was thrilled to bring to local children.
“Being able to provide it at no cost doubles the fun for all of us,” Spencer said.
