“Directed by Elizabeth McKoy, the company’s artistic director, the musical features wonderful performances by a cast with amazing energy.”Read source ↗
Willy Wonka
Making the story live in the room.
Elizabeth returned the story to its cinematic and musical roots in the 1970s, shaping a funkadelic factory around Wonka’s search for an honest successor and his hope of rediscovering innocence in a world he believes has gone haywire.
Aerial acrobatics, bungee work, an Oompa Loompa dance ensemble, vivid period-inflected costumes, and a large multigenerational company turned the factory into a feat of live stage invention while keeping Charlie’s generosity and Wonka’s guarded hope at the center.
The artists who shaped the production together.
Elizabeth McKoy
Tal Ariel
Dane Paul Andres
Nina Ball
Wes Crain
Molly Stewart-Cohn
Vernon Bush
The Bay Area singer and recording artist made his Berkeley Playhouse debut in the title role.
The work, in conversation.
“The production is heightened by energetic dancing, aerial gymnastics, and creative special effects.”Read source ↗
“With this mix of vibrant, captivating visuals and complex, touching performances, the Playhouse’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory takes audience members on a sweet and enchanting ride.”Read source ↗
“Our production is a funkadelic interpretation of the classic Roald Dahl story about rediscovering love, faith, and hope in the future.”Read source ↗
