Tagalog song, immersive technology, and other things to look forward to when 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' musical comes to Manila

What makes Charlie and the Chocolate Factory timeless?

Cohen: It's such a magical, mind-capturing musical. There's so much music and dancing, amazing magic, and beautiful sets. All the songs are so unforgettable.

Daniel: It's a story that really reflects on being a kid and being a parent, and thinking about the values you want to view in your children and thinking about those childhood dreams and hope for the world. I think all those messages through our world will come through.

Drew: I think the production is so timeless because it really captures human emotion and human behavior. It's very, very relevant to today.

What is it about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that made you want to be part of the show?

Daniel: This was an easy yes for me. Playing Willy Wonka is such a dream; it's amazing. And getting to tour this production through Asia and now coming to the Philippines is the icing on the cake.

Cohen: Being able to just show myself to a lot of people is a great opportunity, and second of all, it's a great story being able to share a perspective that can help you live a great life—being kind and respectful, and being able to have that opportunity is definitely something to say yes to.

Drew: I think for me to work on this production, to work with this artistic team, the creatives. Some of them are new that I haven't worked with before, but for me, being part of the directing team, to be mentored by Matt Lenz and Jack O'Brien as well, who was the original Broadway director for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, how could I say no to that? I just had done The Sound of Music with Matt Lenz as well—I've done two productions with Matt. So any production with Matt, it's a yes for me.

How can you relate to your role in the musical?

Daniel: It's the complexity of it—the joy he finds in creating a picture of his that has caused him to be alone for so long, I think that dichotomy or emotion is really exciting to play as an actor. The people who have played it before have been so amazing, and now I get to make my own version.

Cohen: Kind of like the reason I said yes to starting all this in the first place—being able to share such a kind and respectful amazing character. He thinks outside of the box. Even when he's sad or upset, he still shows that he's okay and can improve on that.

What do you like about each other's roles? What have you learned from each other so far?

Cohen: Willy Wonka is just so silly and he's so energetic. He's like bouncing all over the walls and he's such a big character. What I've personally learned from Willy Wonka is that it's okay to be yourself. And living in a way of who you are is the best way to live your life. I think he shows Charlie Bucket that exact lesson. He shows Charlie that he has trust in him and he puts his faith in him. He's almost like a father figure to Charlie.

Daniel: Yeah, I think Willy Wonka and Daniel get to learn a lot from Charlie and Cohen in that it's really a reminder of purity that can exist in this world and putting a positive spin on things and living quite simply. I mean, Charlie grows up in poverty and maintains his good attitude and all he wants is just that one more chocolate a year. It's just such a beautiful metaphor for some of the lessons we have in life. And in terms of Daniel, Cohen, I'm learning fashion. I'm learning constant energy. Also just seeing theater through his eyes and seeing the world through his eyes, it's really a special reminder of making everything feel fresh and new.

What can viewers expect from the show? What's your favorite part?

Drew: Time is a storyteller—they can definitely expect that. But they can also expect to be amazed at the magic and the illusion in this production is on a global scale. It’s such a spectacle, so they can expect to be entertained definitely. I think one of the most beautiful moments in the production is the top and tail of each act honestly when you come and sit down in that auditorium and you feel that electric energy and you see all these immersive elements that we've implemented into this production the second the curtain rises at the top of the act and that moment, that magic appears in that big Broadway moment at the end of Act 1 and then everything that happens throughout Act 2, I think it's just wow moments sprinkled throughout the production that everyone is going to be amazed by.: 

Daniel: I love doing the top of Act Two. It's when I give the absolute, all the energy I have into this “Welcome to the factory.” And I also get to pick a local song to throw in a couple lines of. So I'm going to learn a few Filipino songs and spin the wheel on which one I sing. Hopefully people recognize them and I don't embarrass myself with my pronunciation. I won't, I won't. I'll work on it.

Cohen: A song that leaves a big wow would definitely be the end of Act 1. There's jumping around and there's loud music and there's flashing lights. It's very old-fashioned. It's giving High School Musical, Broadway, just dancing, just the style of it all, everyone coming together to perform this one beautiful masterpiece.

Daniel: Yeah, it's a huge production of our sort of best of Broadway kind of energy.

Drew: Definitely. I think wow moments, one of my biggest wow moments is probably what happens to Mike Teavee. And you're going to have to come and watch the production to find out exactly what happens and how we do it. It's incredible.

Could you tell us more about the 3D technology it will feature?

Drew: It's technology that we bought into this production to create more of an immersive feel so it's achieved by projection, it's achieved by polygons, LED screens, some traditional magic, some non-traditional magical elements, obviously lighting, smoke and mirrors, that sort of stuff, but it is so immersive and I think it's something that hasn't really been done before especially on this production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There's you know, bubble machines and there's mirror balls and there's so many other added elements to create an immersive interactive film.

What's the biggest lesson you've learned from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that you'd like Filipino viewers to take to heart when they see the show?

Drew: Don’t stop dreaming. That's it. Don't stop dreaming.

Cohen: Invention. Have that big mind. Have an open mind. Dream big. Believe in yourself because if you do, that's when you start to get the things that you want.

Daniel: I’d say don't take things for granted. Stay in the moment with the people you are with and the people you love.

Disclaimer: PhilSTAR L!fe was invited to interview the lead stars and resident director of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Watch our interview with them below.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will run from July 8 to July 26 at The Theater at Solaire in Parañaque City. Tickets are now available via TicketWorld.