This Willy Wonka hits a sweet spot
Come with me to Beamsville District Secondary School and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination.
BDSS’s production of “Willy Wonka: The Musical” strikes every sweet tooth with their comically eccentric blend of vocals as soft as fudge and performances as mouth-watering as taffy.
Many are fans of Roald Dahl’s timeless novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” or the two movie adaptations from Gene Wilder’s whimsical 1971 performance, to Johnny Depp’s 2005 film. The musical, with music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, brings a contemporary and psychedelic perspective on the beloved tale of Charlie Bucket and his Golden Ticket.
The story follows Charlie Bucket, embodied by the proficient Emily Lepp, along his underdog journey from his impoverished family home to the preposterously imaginative factory of Mr. Willy Wonka himself. Charlie must not only navigate spellbinding chocolate rivers and mystical candy forests, but also unwrap what it precisely means to be both a forthright and courteous person.
In her concluding year as a BDSS student, seasoned actress Sage Lunshof expressed a showstopping portrayal as the eccentric and puzzling Willy Wonka. Lunshof exhibited her superb vocals for musical numbers, “Pure Imagination” and “At the Gates.”
Her persistent sense of stage presence and projection allowed her to carry many scenes and numbers with her expertise and lavishness.
BDSS offered up an extensive array of unforgettable supporting roles, including Karyssa Levere, as the tenacious and entitled Veruca Salt. Levere commands the stage through her physicality and theatrics during her unforgettable performance of “I Want It Now!” Other notable performances included Caitlin Staff as the scornful and selfproclaimed queen of chewing gum, Violet Beauregarde. Furthermore, Thomas Melmer’s portrayal of Grandpa Joe delivered to the audience a candycoated array of eloquent characterization and authentic chemistry with his onstage grandson.
Students in grades 3-6 from local elementary schools accepted the roles as Oompa-Loompas and the ’Street Children’ in a polished and endearing manner. As a whole ensemble, any microphone difficulties or technical challenges during the production were quickly overcome by their unfazed steadiness and sophistication as experienced actors.
The lighting produced by Will Radcliffe and Ethan Wiebe transported the audience as their use of colours aided in creating an emotional ambience for the scenes that transcended beyond words and actions.
The use of the spotlights provided an emphasis on certain characters or moments which properly portion-controlled the stage. The school’s orchestra also delivered a seamless performance that metamorphosed the show from just a simple play to the extravagant level of musical theatre.
Led by the stage manager, Mickey McGee and their team, Lexus Hanson and Bre Whiteside, BDSS was able to execute a very enchanting production of a beloved tale by staying true to its theatrical roots while not objecting from revitalizing the musical with their own anomalous elements and presentation.