Cedar Falls Community Theatre performs Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Oster Regent

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical is a delightful treat for families, friends and anyone with a sweet tooth for theatrical magic. The theme of this show is imagination and caring. Both of those traits are rewarded whereas selfishness and condescension is not. Director Greg Holt said, “Our target audience is families and dreamers of all ages. Our cast ranges in age from 6 to 74, and we have something for everyone in between as well. This is the perfect holiday experience as this show blends heartwarming moments, family humor and the timeless lessons of kindness and imagination.”

The play started Friday, Dec. 6. The show has a wide range of cast with kids from Cedar Falls and Waterloo and adults that make one feel like the factory is real. The runtime is about 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15 minute intermission. 

The big cast includes 37 people in the stage and the crew. Holt said, “Directing a play is a challenge because you are overseeing every aspect of the production—from choosing the play, bringing in the music director, choreographer, stage manager and design team (props, makeup, hair, set, lights, sound and costumes). Then it is coordinating this production team through an 8 to 10 week rehearsal period. Directors also cast the show (with input from the music and dance leaders), let the actors know where to move and give acting and character instruction.”

Regarding the pressure of all the preparation that has gone into the play, Holt said, “It is a bit stressful when everything works as it should, but stress builds when a certain design element is dragging behind (set and scene painting with this show) or when certain special effects are required. Trying to work around everyone’s schedule and jamming in as much as possible into limited rehearsal time also causes anxiety. And then when an actor or tech crew member gets sick, it has a huge ripple effect through the entire production.” For the cast it is stressful because they have to work on everything from costume changes to their lines. It is a very hard thing to do when it comes to performing in a play.

Holt said he was excited for the play because “it is a new twist on an old classic and it involves lots of children and many shoes do not use kids.” He said the cast is also excited for lots of reasons both for them and because of their roles. For example, Violet’s character gets expanded on a little more and you can see other sides of all the characters.

Jennieah Thompson plays Violet. She said, “Do you know how there was a scene in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 2005 where all the troublesome kids come out of the factory affected in some way? I wish we had that scene in the musical so I can do gymnastics and be extremely stretchy in the end.”

Thompson said, “I hope the audience sees my character as a sassy, trendy girl, kind of like Paris Hilton if she really loved pop music. Violet’s biggest strength is her self-confidence in my opinion, no woman or man can bring her down emotionally but I think her biggest weakness is she was famous at a young age! that girl never had time to herself or find what she was interested in with her dad around trying to make money off of her.”

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is at the Oster Regent Theater. Holt said, “Our target audience is families and dreamers of all ages. Our cast ranges in age from 6 to 74, and we have something for everyone in between as well.” 

The show runs from Dec. 6 to the 22. Tickets are available by calling 319-277-5283 or online at the Oster Regent website. Prices are $27 for adults and $12 for students.