Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka
Music and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Adapted for the Stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald
Based on the Book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl
Director: Jenny Cross
Music Director: Leigh Olson
Choreographer: Justin Jay Smith
AUDITION DATES
Friday, August 25, 2023: 6:00pm-9:40pm (time slots will be added as needed up until 10:20pm)
Saturday, August 26, 2023: 10:00am-3:30pm (time slots will be added as needed up until 5:00pm)
AUDITION & CALLBACK LOCATION
The Wade James Theatre located at 950 Main Street, Edmonds
CALLBACKS (BY INVITATION ONLY)
Tuesday, August 29 (7-10pm) and/or Wednesday, August 30 (7-10pm).
Please be prepared to be available for at least 1 day of callbacks.
Please specify your availability during callback dates/times.
REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE DATES
Link to full rehearsal/performance calendar
HERE
Rehearsals: September 18 - November 22, 2023
Monday through Thursday evenings from 7:00pm-10:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am-3:30pm. Minors, except the actor playing Charlie, will be released at 9pm with the exception of tech week and performances. Actors may not be called to every rehearsal.
Performances: November 24 – December 17, 2023
A total of 17 performances. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays curtain is at 8:00pm, Sunday curtain is at 2:00pm; call times will be no more than 1.5 hours prior to curtain. There will be Saturday matinees (2pm curtain) on December 2 & December 16 in addition to the evening performances.
All of the following days are REQUIRED for participation:
September 18: 1st Read and orientation/paperwork
November 15 & 16: Pre-Tech Work (7-10p)
November 18: Tech 10am-6pm (Lunch break 1:30-2:30PM)
November 19: Tech 1pm-6pm
November 20-22: Opening Week/Dress Rehearsals (6:30-11p) (Thanksgiving off)
November 24-December 17, 2023 (Call time will be no earlier than 1.5 hours prior to curtain)
December 10: Post-show Photos with Outreach Program (max 1 hour)
December 17: Strike following the closing performance
Performances:
November 24 (8pm), November 25 (8pm), November 26 (2pm), November 30 (8pm)
December 1 (8pm), December 2 (2pm & 8pm), December 3 (2pm), December 7 (8pm), December 8 (8pm), December 9 (8pm), December 10 (2pm), December 14 (8pm), December 15 (8pm), December 16 (2pm & 8pm), December 17 (2pm & Post-Performance Strike)
REHEARSAL LOCATION
Edmonds Driftwood Players Rehearsal Annex located at 200 Dayton Street, Edmonds OR Wade James Theatre located at 950 Main Street, Edmonds
PERFORMANCE LOCATION
This production plays at The Wade James Theatre, home of Edmonds Driftwood Players, located at 950 Main Street, Edmonds (Free lot & street parking)
VOLUNTEER STIPEND
Edmonds Driftwood Players is not associated with Actors’ Equity Association and does not participate in union contracts. We are a volunteer-based organization and actors receive $125 stipends to help offset transportation costs associated with participating in our productions. Cast and crew will each receive two comp tickets as well as a Friends & Family discount to share and use on additional ticket purchases.
SHOW SYNOPSIS
Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka 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: the fifth is a likeable 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.
ROALD DAHL’S WILLY WONKA is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
AUDITION REQUIREMENT
As with all adaptations, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka is slightly different from the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book and movie versions. If you would like to check out the script we are using before auditions, please contact Office@EdmondsDriftwoodPlayers.org.
Song: Prepare 32 bars (no longer than a minute) of a song from a Broadway musical that shows your strongest vocal and character range. Don’t be afraid to make strong choices! Note - an accompanist is provided. Please bring in sheet music clearly marked. No recorded music please.
Monologue: Prepare a monologue that is two minutes or less. Contemporary monologues are preferred.
Dance: No dance at the initial audition, but both jazz and contemporary combinations will be taught at the callback for ensemble and most principal roles.
Accents: Decisions on dialect will be made by the director early in the rehearsal process. For callbacks, actors are welcome to try any accent historically associated with a part, until directed otherwise.
Headshot and Resume: Please bring one copy of each. The headshot does not need to be professionally made – a print out of a selfie will suffice. If this creates a barrier to participation, please contact the office about printing.
ROLES
We are casting up to 22 actors. Non-traditional casting is encouraged. Actors of all ethnicity, gender, identity, and ability are encouraged to audition.
Actors cast in supporting roles may also be required to cover ensemble/chorus parts as well. We are looking for flexible and ensemble minded actors for the entire company of Willy Wonka!
WILLY WONKA (male-presenting; reads as 30-45 years of age or has an ageless quality): The mysterious title character. He is charming, enigmatic, charismatic, and slightly sinister. A chocolatier who guides children and their parents on a tour of his factory. He is looking for someone new to take over his candy empire. Vocal range top: F4; Vocal range bottom: G2
Intended Double Casting as CANDY MAN (male-presenting) A local candy vendor. He leads the children in praising the joys of candy. Vocal range top: D4; Vocal range bottom: A2
CHARLIE BUCKET (male presenting; pre-teen or teen that can read as 10-12 years of age): Our story's shy, earnest protagonist. From a modest home life, he is humble and noncompetitive while maintaining a sense of wonder about the world. One of the Golden Ticket winners whose honesty and general good nature win Wonka over. Vocal range top: G4; Vocal range bottom: G2
MRS. BUCKET/SQUIRREL (female presenting; reads as 35-45 years of age): Charlie Bucket's nurturing mother. She is always trying to maintain an energetic positivity. Vocal range top: F5; Vocal range bottom: Bb3
MR. BUCKET/SQUIRREL (male presenting; reads as 35-50 years of age): Charlie Bucket's nurturing father. He is always trying to maintain an energetic positivity. Vocal range top: F4; Vocal range bottom: B2
GRANDPA JOE (male presenting; reads as 65-85 years of age): A caring, patient, and kindhearted man. Loving Grandfather to Charlie Bucket. He accompanies Charlie to Willy Wonka's factory and it gives him a new burst of youthful vigor. Vocal range top: F4; Vocal range bottom: Bb2
GRANDMA JOSEPHINE/COOKS CHORUS (female presenting; reads as 65-85 years of age)
GRANDPA GEORGE/COOKS CHORUS (male presenting; reads as 65-85 years of age)
GRANDMA GEORGINA/COOKS CHORUS (female presenting; reads as 65-85 years of age)
AUGUSTUS GLOOP (male presenting; older teen or early to mid-20s that can read as 12-15 years of age): A gluttonous German boy. Cheerful and jolly, he defines himself by his ability to eat mass quantities of food. One of the Golden Ticket winners whose constant overeating is enabled and encouraged by Mrs. Gloop. Vocal range top: G4; Vocal range bottom: B2
MRS. GLOOP (female presenting; reads as 35-45 years of age): A plump jolly German woman with a bustling personality. Augustus Gloop's overindulgent mother. Vocal range top: E4; Vocal range bottom: B3
VERUCA SALT (female presenting; older teen or early to mid-20s that can read as 12-15 years of age): A wealthy, spoiled Brit. She is accustomed to having her father indulge her every whim and desire. One of the Golden Ticket winners, she is subjected to the squirrels' nut chute. Vocal range top: F5; Vocal range bottom: G3
MR. SALT (male presenting; reads as 45-55 years of age): A wealthy British upperclassman who regularly flaunts his wealth and privilege. Father to Veruca Salt who shamelessly spoils his daughter. Vocal range top: E4; Vocal range bottom: D3
MIKE TEAVEE (male presenting; older teen or early to mid-20s that can read as 12-15 years of age): An obnoxious, hyperactive child addicted to television, video games, and the internet. One of the Golden Ticket winners and Ms. Teavee's son. Vocal range top: G4; Vocal range bottom: G2
MS. TEAVEE (female presenting; reads as 35-45 years of age): An old-fashioned housewife. She is Mike Teavee's permissive and clueless mother. Vocal range top: F5; Vocal range bottom: B3
VIOLET BEAUREGARDE (female presenting; older teen or early to mid-20s that can read as 12-15 years of age): A brassy girl with a competitive streak. Violet seizes every opportunity to show off. She turns into a giant blueberry. Vocal range top: F5; Vocal range bottom: G3
MS. BEAUREGARDE (female presenting; reads as 35-45 years of age): Violet's enthusiastic helicopter parent who focuses all her attention on her daughter. She indulges Violet's worst competitive impulses. Vocal range top: E5; Vocal range bottom: D4
PHINEOUS TROUT (male/female/non-binary presenting; reads as 35-45 years of age): A reporter covering the Golden Ticket story. Vocal range top: F4; Vocal range bottom: B2
OOMPA-LOOMPA 1/JAMES/YOUTH CHORUS (male/female/non-binary presenting; young actors 13-18)
OOMPA-LOOMPA 2/MATILDA/YOUTH CHORUS (male/female/non-binary presenting; young actors 13-18)
OOMPA-LOOMPA 3/SOPHIE/YOUTH CHORUS (male/female/non-binary presenting; young actors 13-18)
OOMPA-LOOMPA 4/DANNY/YOUTH CHORUS (male/female/non-binary presenting; young actors 13-18)
OOMPA-LOOMPA 5/ALFIE/YOUTH CHORUS (male/female/non-binary presenting; young actors 13-18)
To reserve your audition time: Click on the “Audition Survey” link below and you will be taken to a Google Survey so that we can collect your contact and audition information. Be sure to double check your email so we can reach you for callbacks. Have your calendar handy so that you can provide a list of any upcoming schedule conflicts. When you complete the audition survey you will be given a link to select your audition time.
AUDITION SURVEY:
https://forms.gle/CRrST3wjm1WutZmd6
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