Willy Wonka

[donna_darko_23]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 5:06pm

With a number of movies being made into musicals lately, I'm suprised they never made the original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory into a stage musical. I loved that original movie (not a fan of the new one), and think it's seems like a it could be an entertaining musical. Unless I can't just clueless and this already happened.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 5:19pm

Alas, tis a very bad idea.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 5:25pm

Why is it?

[Burlesquebabe]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 6:20pm

Yeah, it's bad enough they made Charlie and the chocolate factory, anything more would be too much.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 6:31pm

I saw both films, and although I realize they're supposed to be on the creepy side, they both were too ugly and creepy for me. Let's leave well enough alone.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 7:04pm

My school did some kinda Willy Wonka stage version. Although they changed the name to Wonka so they wouldn't have to pay to get the rights.

[grizzabella]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 8:09pm

I've always liked Roal Dahl's book, did enjoy both movies, and have wondered, on and off, if this would make a good musical, especially as there was so much music in each film. Somehow, though, I'm not comfortable with the idea. There is a surreal, cinematic quality to Dalh's story that works, at least for me, on screen, but which I don't think would readily translate to theatre.

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 9:23pm

There was a fairly decent-sized stage production of "Wonka" done in Seattle, about a dozen years ago. My Mom saw it and loved it! They did it with the help and blessing of Roald Dahl, and used the music from the first film (and added to it).

They also had a few nice, clever touches. Mom said they had an incredibly talented black girl playing Violet Beauregard (the gum chewer). She was this "regular kid" until she popped in the experimental chewing gum. Instead of it being a 3-course meal, it was "Jukebox Gum." Chew it, and you can sing like anyone you want to. So this little girl squared off and belted out a medley of pop songs sounding like Elvis, Aretha Franklin, etc. Until she got to "I Found My Thrill On Blueberry Hill." I think you can guess what happened to her next.

I always thought that sounded like such a great idea, and Mom said this kid was unbelievable and actually sounded like the various people she was imitating. Stopped the show! A cool showcase for a very unusual talent, to be sure.

[RENTingFAME]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 9:41pm

I think I agree with Grizzabella... Though from Best12Bars it sounds like a stage production would go well. Unfortunately, it's too expensive to just try, isn't it? But you never know... anything is possible!

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 9:51pm

bad bad bad bad bad idea...

[Jon]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 12:04am

MTI has a stage version (using the songs from the fist movie) available for amateur production only. They are working on a "junior" version (for performance by kids).

There has been a non-musical children's theatre version available for years.