Laura and Samara spend their days as non-profit unicorns and fill every spare minute exploring the world of musical theatre as BFFs (that’s Broadway Friends Forever). Follow @bffs613 on X, Instagram and Facebook.
We hope you still have your sweet tooth after Halloween, because Orpheus Musical Theatre is bringing us a treat with their production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe until November 24th.
You’re probably already familiar with the story from the popular Roald Dahl book, or the many movies and pop culture references, but the staged musical adds a new twist with some fun songs. The story, which follows five very different children as they win a chance to get a tour of Willy Wonka’s infamous chocolate factory, is full of fun and chaos while touching on themes of family, kindness and imagination. The stage production maintains the sweet (pun intended!) story you know and love.
Photo by Maria Vartanova
You will recognize a song or two in The Candy Man and Pure Imagination, among a wide range of songs written for the musical production. With music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, you can expect the classic big Broadway sound — and some dance numbers to accompany it. The live orchestra does a great job elevating the sound and filling the theatre with catchy and occasionally mischievous tunes.
Orpheus is never one to shy away from productions with big staging, costuming and even a little magic. After seeing other Orpheus shows with pretty astounding sets, we had high expectations for this fantastic story. Some well-done bigger staging pieces including the Bucket family’s home/bed, the candy store and the SS Wonka, fit into the story’s grandeur. But the heavy use of a backdrop video screen, especially in Act II for inside the chocolate factory, fell a bit flat, losing the splendour and wonder that had been built so strongly through Act I. It was used to great emotional effect in one song though, but we’ll let that surprise you when you spot the Ottawa nods.
The costuming, mostly bright and a bit quirky, adds depth to each character, elevating their personality and the differences between the group of children visiting the factory. Each costume created beautiful visuals and set the tone for the show from the opening number.
Photo by Maria Vartanova
With the entire cast performing strongly and creating a unique and individual take on each character there were a few standouts that caught our eye. Sam Castro leads the story and plays a kind, creative and empathetic Charlie Bucket. Laurence Stassen as Grandpa Joe was endearing, funny and heartwarming and we loved watching every moment he was on stage.
As Willy Wonka, Matthew Michael Lorz has created an individual take on the character with nods to those who have played different versions of the role. He brings the quirky, charming, creative and a little bit weird, Wonka to life and builds a large sense of magic that is the centre of a show like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It is clear the entire cast is having a great time and can’t wait to bring the audience along for the ride!
So, if you dream of chocolate waterfalls and everlasting gobstoppers, be ready to enter a world of pure imagination. Grab your golden ticket and catch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory before it’s too late.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory runs until November 24 with evening and matinee performances and it runs 2 hours and 20 minutes including one 20-minute intermission. Tickets are $37 for students and under 30, $47 to $53 for seniors and special needs, and range from $47 to $59 for adults.
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