Our Amazing Cast!

Here's the cast list for this fall's show! We can't wait to get started!

WILLY WONKA:
Dan Kelly

CHARLIE BUCKET:
Ryan Cook

GRANDPA JOE:
Tim Otte

MR. BUCKET:
Matthew Ford

MRS. BUCKET:
Alana Sacks

PHINEAS TROUT:
Rob Guptill

GRANDPA GEORGE:
Phil Paquet

GRANDMA JOSEPHINE:
Libba Ingram

GRANDMA GEORGINA:
Barbara Dunay

AUGUSTUS GLOOP:
Tom O'Dea

MRS. GLOOP:
Anna Poplawski

VERUCA SALT:
Tori Heinlein

MR. SALT:
Ted Cormier

VIOLET BEAUREGARD:
Mei Lu Barnum

MRS. BEAUREGARD:
Bridie Johnson

MIKE TEAVEE:
Joseph Nedder

MRS. TEAVEE:
Liz Bean

YOUTH ENSEMBLE/SQUIRRELS:
Olivia Coen
Crew Fitzpatrick
Lily Harris
Alec Shimon
Noa Fay
Isaac Haber
Max Harris

ADULT ENSEMBLE/OOMPA LOOMPAS:
Carolyn Cafarelli
Hazel Law
Frances Price
Melody Tang
Laura Jacobs
Anna O'Dea
Carol Pyper
Lissette Velez-Cross
Jennifer Silver
Maya Newell

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who came out and auditioned! It was a very very difficult decision for the casting committee. We loved that everyone's heart and soul really went into their auditions and that we had the chance to enjoy so many great performances. Calls are being made, and a cast list will be posted soon!

Thanks again!

Meet the Director

Artie Leger (director) has been loving the stage ever since his debut as Mickey Mouse in "Mickey Mouse's Surprise Birthday Party" in the sixth grade!

Artie has been a volunteer at the Footlight Club since the 2000 - 2001 season, first as Box Office Director for six years and is currently the Preisdent of the Board of Directors.

He has directed two dramas at the Club ("All My Sons" by Arthur Miller, and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", by Tennessee Williams) which both feature young children! However, this go around he wanted to direct a child-centric play, and Willy Wonka was just perfect!

Artie has lots of experience directing children's theater, the highlight of which would be "The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever" at St. Theresa's Theater Guild. He has worked as a child care provider for ten years at the YMCA and has run a children's theater program there as well. Artie is now a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

He cannot wait for the production to begin and looks forward to auditions and to meet some really talented enthusiastic people!

Meet the Choreographer!

Alison Beach (choreographer) is taking her first attempt at choreographing a musical (don't be scared!) but has been a dancer for over 25 years, specializing in clog, tap, and jazz. She's been a featured dancer in numerous musicals, and a member of the Footlight Club (usually in front of the curtain) for 3 years. Alison just finished her law school degree and is taking the bar exam in July. Her greatest production, her first baby, will be born just around the time Willy Wonka closes!

Our Willy Wonka Art

Like our Willy Wonka art in the header of our blog? It's designed by renowned JP artist Ted Cormier, a longtime friend of the Footlight Club. Why doesn't Willy have a face? According to director Artie Leger, it allows you to see Willy how you want to. Any age, any color....Willy could be YOU!

Voice ranges for characters!

Wonka - Bflat to F (low tenor)
Charlie - Bflat to F
Mrs. Gloop - B to E (mezzo)
Augustus - B to E/opt. G
Phineous - B to C (baritone)
Mike - G to Eflat
Ms. Teavee - Bb to F (mezzo)
Mr. Bucket - B to Dflat (baritone)
Mrs. Bucket - D to Dflat (mezzo)
Grandpa Joe - Bflat to D/opt. F (baritone/low tenor)
Grandpa George - F to Eflat (baritone; doesn't sing solo)
Grandmas - C to Bflat (mezzo)
Veruca - A to Eflat (alto/belter)
Mr. Salt - C to G (baritone)
Violet - low G to Eflat/opt. G (alto/belter)
Mrs. Beauregarde - C to B (mezzo)

Auditions!!

The Footlight Club proudly announces auditions for

Roald Dahl’s WILLY WONKA

Lyrics and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Adapted for the Stage by Tim McDonald and Leslie Bricusse

Based on the Book “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl.

The production will be directed by Artie Leger, with musical direction by Bethany Aiken and choreography by Alison Beach.


AUDITION DATES

CHILDREN - Sunday, June 13, 2—5 pm

ADULTS - Tuesday, June 15, 7:30—10 pm

Thursday, June 17, 7:30—10 pm

CALLBACKS - Saturday, June 19, 11—3 pm

Auditioners should prepare a 16–32 bar section of a song in the style of the show, and bring music for the accompanist.

Rehearsals will start the first week of September. Performances are as follows:

November 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20 @ 8 PM

November 7, 14 & 20 @ 2 PM

The Footlight Club and the production team of Willy Wonka are committed to casting actors of diverse background and experience. The age ranges / descriptions suggested for each role are not a requirement for casting, and the casting committee will cast the most appropriate people for these roles.

CAST:

ADULT AND CHILD ENSEMBLE - Several musical / dance numbers, all double cast as Townspeople, Cooks, Oompa Loompas, and Squirrels. Open to actors of all ages, sizes and diverse backgrounds. Singing and dancing is required for all roles. These roles are integral to the play and are used throughout the production.


WILLY WONKA / CANDY MAN (flexible - late 30’s up) Willy Wonka is an enigmatic character; at once mysterious and mischievous but also charismatic. The actor should be able to be funny and serious and change between the two on a dime. Wonka will double as the Candy Man.


CHARLIE BUCKET (age 10 – 12) The role of Charlie Bucket is the emotional heart and soul of the musical. The actor performing Charlie should have an unchanged voice and lots of pluck and enthusiasm. Charlie is in nearly every scene, so the selected actor should be able to handle the demands of a sizable role.


GRANDPA JOE (50’s up) Grandpa Joe is the grandfather we all wish we had when we were Charlie’s age. He is caring, patient, sweet and always reminds Charlie to remain cheerful. The actor needs to be kind and funny. The role sings a bit, but the singing is secondary.


MR. AND MRS. BUCKET (late 30’s – early 40’s) These are great roles for actors who have nice voices, and are natural nurturers. Both sing solos; Mr. Bucket performs the number “Think Positive” with Charlie and Mrs. Bucket sings “Cheer Up, Charlie” with Mr. Bucket and Grandpa Joe.

PHINEOUS / PENELOPE TROUT (age flexible) Trout is the reporter who announces the winners of the Golden Ticket contest throughout the show. The actor should have a clear speaking voice like a radio broadcaster. The role requires some singing and is gender neutral.


AUGUSTUS GLOOP (age 12 – 14) Augustus is the overachieving eater who represents the evils of eating too much. Augustus is from Germany, so a german accent is preferred but does not need to be perfect. Augustus sings “I Eat More!” along with his mother and the reporter Trout. The song is on the difficult side, but does not need to be sung with a polished pretty voice, in fact, the more character the better. The actor playing Augustus does not need to be overweight – this effect can be achieved with costuming.


MRS. GLOOP (late 30’s – early 40’s)Mrs. Gloop is Augustus’ mother who has overindulged her son with food. She accompanies Augustus on the tour of the factory, and sings “I Eat More!” with her son and the reporter Trout. The role requires a character actress who isn’t afraid to take positive risks both in her acting and her singing.


MIKE TEAVEE (age 10 – 14) For this adaptation Mike is not just a TV junky. He is also addicted to video games, the Internet and any other mindnumbing technological device. Mike is bratty, loud and obnoxious. He does not know the word “no.” Mike and Ms. Teavee sing “I See It All On TV” so he should be a reasonable singer, but does not need to be phenomenal.


MS. TEAVEE (late 30’s – early 40’s) Ms. Teavee is a take on all television moms of the distant past. Think June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) or Marion Cunningham (Happy Days) or even Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch). She’s perfectly put together and a bit vacant. She sings “I See It All On TV” but does not require a polished voice.


VIOLET BEAUREGARDE (age 10 – 14) Gum chewer extraordinaire, Violet hails from Snellville, Georgia, so it’s nice if she has a Southern American accent, but not necessary. Violet should stand in stark contrast to Veruca Salt. Veruca is a wealthy refined brat; Violet is more of a bluecollar, middle class brat. She sings “Chew It” along with Willy Wonka. The song is a tour-de-force for the right voice, so a young lady with a strong voice is preferred.


MRS. BEAUREGARDE (late 30’s – early 40’s) Mrs. Beauregard is a teacher of geography and has invested a great deal of hard-earned money on therapy for her orally fixated daughter, with less than stellar results. The role is virtually non-singing. Her accent should match Violet’s.


VERUCA SALT (age 10 – 14) Veruca is the wealthy, class-conscious, spoiled brat. She is often portrayed with a high British accent that is by no means required (brats come in all nationalities). Veruca’s solo number “I Want It Now” is deceptively tricky and comes late in the show, so a young woman with a strong voice is preferred. Veruca should contrast sharply with Violet Beauregarde in terms of look and physical type.


MR. SALT (late 30’s – early 40’s) Mr. Salt’s solution to most problems is to buy his way out. He is upper class, and usually portrayed with a high British accent. (But this accent is not necessary—just make sure Veruca and Mr. Salt sound like they hail from the same place.)


GRANDMA JOSEPHINA, GRANDMA GEORGINA, and GRANDPA GEORGE (50’s up) Charlie’s three grandparents. Actors need to be innately interesting and have good comic timing.

JAMES (age 10 – 14) James is Charlie’s friend from school. He has a few lines and sings the introduction of “The Candy Man” along with Matilda and Charlie.


MATILDA (age 10 – 14) Matilda is also a schoolmate of Charlie’s, but she’s a bit of bully. Matilda has a few lines and sings the introduction of “The Candy Man” along with James and Charlie.