First Stage Opens Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 3/2-31

First Stage brings CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY to life on stage March 2 – 31, 2012 at the Todd Wehr Theater, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts at 929 N. Water Street, Milwaukee. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center box office at 929 N. Water Street, by phone at (414) 273-7206 or online at www.firststage.org.

About the show: "Charlie Bucket's golden ticket is his passport into Willy Wonka's whimsical world of wacky wonders. Join Charlie and his Grandpa Joe as they take a daring adventure into a world of pure imagination, filled with Oompa-Loompas, squirrels, chocolate rivers, and cotton candy dreams. Directed by Jeff Frank, this visually stunning version of the Roald Dahl children's classic was adapted by Richard George. Seeing the story on stage is sure to have enough excitement to satisfy the sweet tooth of everyone in your entire family! For everyone ages 6 and up."

"I've long loved the Roald Dahl classic, and thought it would be the perfect fit within First Stage's 25th anniversary season," said Jeff Frank, First Stage artistic director and director of this production. "When I thought about how well our designers and production team realized amazing renditions of THE NEVERENDING STORY and PETER PAN AND WENDY (both produced in 2010), I knew they would rise to the challenge of re-creating Willy Wonka's whimsical world fit for our stage," Frank continues.

Director Jeff Frank has acted as First Stage's artistic director since February 2003. Previously he had served as education director/associate artistic director. Jeff is a native Wisconsinite who earned a B.F.A. in theater from UW–Whitewater and went on to the University of Utah, earning an M.F.A. in child drama. Over the past twelve seasons Jeff has directed many First Stage productions. Among his favorites are: PETER PAN AND WENDY, U: BUG: ME, THE NEVERENDING STORY, SLEEPING BEAUTY, Tom Sawyer, SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON, LILLY'S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE, A LITTLE HOUSE CHRISTMAS, THE HOBBIT, A MIDNIGHT CRY, PERSEUS BAYOU, A CHRISTMAS STORY and THE GIVER.

The adult actor cast of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY includes Bo Johnson (Member of Actor's Equity Association) as Willy Wonka; Rhonda Rae Busch as Mrs. Gloop; Allen Edge (Member of Actor's Equity Association) as Mr. Beauregard; James Fletcher (Member of Actor's Equity Association) as Mr. Salt; Mary Mac Donald Kerr (Member of Actor's Equity Association) as Mother/Mrs. Teavee and Robert J. Spencer (Member of Actor's Equity Association) as Grandpa Joe.

Young performer roles are double-cast. Young performers in the Ooompa Cast: From Cedarburg: Emily Friedl (as Land Ooompa-Loompa 2); From Germantown: Sarah Kinn (as Land Ooompa-Loompa 6); From Grafton: Natalia Haworth (as Land Ooompa-Loompa 5); From New Berlin: Meredith Hawley (as Land Ooompa-Loompa 3); From Milwaukee: Jacob Badovski (as Air Ooompa-Loompa 3), Ayanna Ellzey (as Violet) and David Zetley (as Air Ooompa-Loompa 2); From Mukwonago: Madison Penzkover (as Veruca) and Sean Voves (as Augustus); From Pewaukee: Jon Olsen (as Charlie); From Shorewood: Balen Essak (as Mike Teavee); From Waukesha: Emma Carlson (as Air Ooompa-Loompa 4) and Molly Flanagan (as Air Ooompa-Loompa 1); From Whitefish Bay: Mary Elsa Henrichs (as Land Ooompa-Loompa 1), Zoey Knox (as Land Ooompa-Loompa 4) and Madeline McNichols (as Air Ooompa-Loompa 6).

The young performers in the Loompa Cast: From Bayside: Benjamin Cohn (as Augustus) and Erin Watton (as Land Ooompa-Loompa 5); From Franklin: Kaitlyn Serkatich (as Land Ooompa-Loompa 3); From Greendale: Jelena Vorkapich (as Veruca); From Hartland: Malia Westlake (as Air Ooompa-Loompa 1); From Milwaukee: Kyen Ditzenberger (as Air Ooompa-Loompa 3), Stephanie Guy (as Air Ooompa-Loompa 6), Reagan Harris (as Violet), Rebecca Messnick (as Air Ooompa-Loompa 4) and Josiah Winkel (as Air Ooompa-Loompa 2); From Muskego: Brianna Bulski (as Land Ooompa-Loompa 6); From Oak Creek:, Elizabeth Mazza (as Land Ooompa-Loompa 1) and Margaret Mazza (as Air Ooompa-Loompa 5); From Oconomowoc: Sebastian Weigman (as Mike Teavee); From Wauwatosa: Seth Horne (as Charlie) and Emma Nelson (as Land Ooompa-Loompa 4); From Whitefish Bay: Callie Donovan (as Land Ooompa-Loompa 2).

The Artistic Staff for CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY includes: David Minkoff (Scenic Designer); Brandon Kirkham (Costume Designer); Jesse Klug (Lighting Designer); Michael Griggs (Sound Designer); Kevin O'Donnell (Co-Sound Designer and Co-Composer); Ryan Cappleman (Music Director); Caskey Hunsader (Stage Manager), and Hannah Binish (Assistant Stage Manager).

Tickets for CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY start at $13. Tickets may be purchased at www.firststage.org or through the Marcus Center box office, in person at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee or by phone (414) 273-7206 or toll free at (888) 612-3500. The number for TDD (for deaf and hard of hearing patrons) is (414) 273-3080.

Performance dates: CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY opens Friday, March 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Other performances are held: Saturday, March 3 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 4 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 10 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 11 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 17 at 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, March 18 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 24 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 25 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 31 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.

Special events for CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Opening Night Reception
Friday, March 2, 2012
Following the opening night performance First Stage invites all patrons to attend the Opening Night Reception at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street, located one mile from the Marcus Center. Patrons will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the cast and crew of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY while enjoying refreshments, courtesy of First Stage.

Opening weekend:

A drawing for a $20 gift certificate to Rainbow Booksellers will be held immediately following each performance. Gift certificates may be redeemed for a book purchase at the First Stage merchandise counter in the lobby or at Rainbow Booksellers, located at 5704 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee. One winner will be selected at each performance.

Golden Ticket Sweepstakes:
Throughout the month of February, First Stage Charlie Bars will be on sale at ten area Balistreri-owned Sendik's Food Markets, Kehr's Candies located at the Milwaukee Public Market, and in the lobby during First Stage performances of DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center and A WRINKLE IN TIME at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Every chocolate bar contains a prize, which range from a ticket discount to CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY to a three-play Family Package to First Stage's 2012-2013 season. One lucky Golden Ticket winner will receive four tickets to First Stage's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, complete with a backstage tour, gift certificates for concessions, merchandise and dinner at Joey Buona's Restaurant, a copy of the Roald Dahl classic "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" signed by the cast, a three-play Family Package to First Stage's 2012-2013 season and more. Proceeds from the sale of First Stage Charlie Bars support First Stage's Community Partnership Program, a comprehensive program that makes First Stage programming available and easily accessible to low-income families and City of Milwaukee schools.

Tickets and information: Call (414) 273-7206 or online at www.firststage.org

About First Stage
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in the 2011-12 season, First Stage touches hearts, engages minds, and transforms lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences for young people and families through professional Theater Productions that inspire, enlighten, and entertain; unparalleled Theater Academy training that fosters life skills through stage skills; and dynamic Theater in Education programs that promote active learning in our schools and community. First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education and Americans for the Arts, as well as Theatre Wisconsin and Milwaukee Arts Partners, and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).

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