Breaking News: Sam Mendes Departs Broadway-Bound CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY; Jack O'Brien to Take His Place?

According to Variety, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which is currently playing in the West End, will get a new director for it's Broadway run- which is aiming for the 2016-17 season. Sam Mendes will no longer helm the incoming musical due to scheduling conflicts, and rumor has it that Jack O'Brien (who has previously worked with composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman in HAIRSPRAY) will fill his place.

Mendes will remain as a show producer and will reportedly be a part of the selection for his replacement.

Click here to read the full article.

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has quickly become one of the West End's most popular and successful stage musicals. It won two Olivier awards in April 2014, and has broken records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over 1,600,000 people since it opened in June 2013.

Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of the original story that has captivated the world for almost 50 years is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig, set and costume designs by Mark Thompson and choreography by Peter Darling.

When Charlie wins a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, it's the chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets he's always dreamed of. But beyond the gates astonishment awaits, as down the sugary corridors and amongst the incredible edible delights, the five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems.