REVIEW: 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' is a scrumdidlyumptious treat
From the beloved book by Roald Dahl to the classic 1971 film adaptation starring Gene Wilder–and, to a lesser degree, Tim Burton’s 2005 attempt–the story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has delighted generations. Last Thursday, the stage version made its bow at the Solaire Theater, having already proven a hit on Broadway and the West End.
Anchored by a star-making performance from young Oliver Wong as Charlie and Michael Dalke’s energetic Willy Wonka, the show was a joyful, scrumdiddlyumptious treat, much to the delight of the gala night crowd. Drawing elements from every previous incarnation, the show combined colorful song numbers, impressive production design, and various stage illusions to bring audiences into (what else?) a world of pure imagination.
The story revolves around Charlie Bucket (Wong), a kindhearted boy of meager means who wins a tour the factory of famed chocolatier Willy Wonka. Encouraged by his mother (Karylle), and accompanied by his Grandpa Joe (Michael Biren, Beetlejuice) Charlie is one of five winners of Wonka’s wonderful prize. Closed to the public for years, the tour will challenge the winners and their adult guardians in ways no one could have imagined, as they face confectionary contraptions, amazing treats, and impossible creatures around every corner. As Wonka leads the group with nary a concern for (anyone’s) personal safety, Charlie and his Grandpa Joe will need to watch out for each other in hopes of getting out in one piece!
Wong’s Charlie truly anchors the show. The entire first half takes place through his eyes, selling us on a world where it’s perfectly reasonable for legends to grow around mysterious factories, and news networks devote major coverage to the movements of eccentric chocolatiers.
Where Charlie’s cinematic incarnations played up the boy’s poverty-stricken existence and virtuous nature to the point of banality, Wong’s version is so unforced and natural, you can’t help but root for the kid. Wong’s hopeful, crystal-clear tones notwithstanding, his wide-eyed earnestness and amiability make him—by far—the most likable live action version of this character we’ve ever seen.
The first act is also where we meet Charlie’s family, consisting of his devoted mother, Mrs. Bucket, and four bed-ridden grandparents. Of these, as in pretty much every version of this story, Grandpa Joe is the ultimate freeloader, spending 40 years in bed before leaping up for a free tour he did nothing to earn. It doesn’t help that he sings his first two stanzas of the iconic, I’ve Got a Golden Ticket in the singular before correcting himself to sing, "We’ve got a golden ticket”.
From an adult who deserves no respect, Karylle’s Mrs. Bucket was the complete opposite, winning the audience over with her heartfelt rendition of, If Your Father Were Here, which she uses to lull Charlie to sleep before his big day. In a tip of the hat to the Manila audience, the production added in a charming “mano po” moment for the mother and son, just one of the many little touches that help update and contextualize the material.
Musically, the show draws the most inspiration from the 1971 film, with tracks from like, I’ve Got a Golden Ticket, The Candy Man, and Pure Imagination interwoven with newly composed music and songs by Marc Shaiman (with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman). The unforgettably catchy Oompa-Loompa song features prominently, while the most memorable of the new tunes –aside from Mrs. Bucket’s aforementioned If Your Father Were Here– are those introducing the other golden ticket winners, namely, More of Him to Love for Augustus Gloop, When Veruca Says for Veruca Salt, The Double Bubble Duchess for Violet Beauregarde, and It's Teavee Time! for Mike Teavee.
Once all the characters are introduced, post-intermission is where Dalke’s Wonka takes the reins like a cartoon character on speed, serving as master of ceremonies, tour guide, and main attraction. Combining the energy of a whirling dervish with a touch of Widler’s sardonic tone, Dalke dishes out one-liners and wry observations to flesh out what’s honestly always been a dark character.
Dalke’s Wonka is a textbook chaotic neutral, with Charlie’s disobedient companions discovering (the hard way) the lengths he will go to enforce his rules. However, given that pretty much everybody elects to continue with the tour even as members of their party are dispatched (by chocolate rivers, OCD squirrels, etc.), it’s honestly hard to tell who’s the more sadistic here, but it sure was fun to watch.
Ultimately, the play succeeds at translating Roald Dahl’s iconic parable for the stage, while retaining the author’s signature blend of darkness and whimsy in a way that audiences of all ages will be able to enjoy. While the notion of candy-infused karma by way of the seven deadly sins may not sound like typical kid’s show fare, Wonka himself intones: “It must be believed to be seen.”
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, presented by GMG Productions and UnionBank, is now playing at Solaire Theater until July 26.