76 local children perform in dual-cast musical about a Golden Ticket tour

Photo courtesy Rebecca Little Above: Performers from the Little Theatre’s production of “Willy Wonka Jr.” share a laugh during a rehearsal. Right: Dara Hargreaves as “Willy Wonka” and Charlie Torres as an Oompa Lompa respectively. The show opens April 20 at the Gilroy High School Theater.

By Marty Cheek

Get ready to enter a world of pure imagination as Gilroy’s Little Theatre Productions presents “Willy Wonka Jr.,” a delightful adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl classic.

The show, co-directed by the mother-daughter duo of Rebecca and Hilary Little, promises to be a visual feast filled with bright colors, catchy songs, and a talented cast of young performers. The show is about 90 minutes long, with a brief intermission.

“Everybody remembers the original movie,” Hilary said. “They were either creeped out by it and they didn’t like it, or they were creeped out by it and they kind of did like it.”

To make the story more appealing to younger audiences, the directors have made some adjustments to remove a bit of the creepiness while preserving the charm and memorable moments, she said.

The show features a double cast, with two talented actresses, Dara Hargreaves and Aimee Mojica, portraying the iconic role of the crazy candy factory owner “Willy Wonka.”

Though the character uses masculine pronouns, the girls will be dressed in skirts, adding a fresh twist to the classic character.

Jude Lee plays “Charlie Bucket.” He loves working with his fellow actors.

“Everyone has been putting in lots of effort to make it a magical experience for everyone to see,” he said.

Dara Hargreaves performs as “Wonka,” saying the character has different layers to explore.

“This show has a ton of energy, humor, and lots of catchy songs that will leave you singing them around your house,” she said. “Whether you’re old or young, this show really has something for everyone.”

Dara Hargreaves as “Willy Wonka” and Charlie Torres as an Oompa Lompa respectively. The show opens April 20 at the Gilroy High School Theater.

The other Wonka is played by Aimee Mojica.

“The best thing about doing the show is all the amazing people you meet,” she said. “Everyone is so passionate about theater and it shows during our performances.”

Audiences can expect to hear a mix of recognizable songs from the movie and newer ones featured in the Broadway show, Hilary said. Each Golden Ticket winner will have their own song, ranging from a tango to a hoedown, showcasing the diverse talents of the young cast.

“The show’s got a bunch of recognizable songs, which people love,” she said. “Undoubtedly, the songs are catchy and memorable, and everyone remembers them from the movie.”

Rebecca Little takes charge of set and costume design. She has created a vibrant and colorful world for the characters to inhabit.

“This is going to be one of our brightest shows. The sets have paint that’s pink and red and green, and it’s all these bright, bright colors. It’s going to be a feast for the eyes,” Hilary explained.

Even the village where Charlie lives will be filled with color, moving away from the depressing grey vibe often associated with the story.

The entire company consists of about 76 actors, with the show being double cast to give more children the opportunity to shine. The age range of the performers spans from 6 to 17, with a couple of “very mature five-year-olds” taking the stage as well. Smaller children will portray the Oompa Loompas, adding an extra layer of cuteness to the production.

For Hilary, the joy of working on this show comes from collaborating with the kids.

“I unlock the door, welcome the kids on stage, and kind of become Willy Wonka myself,” she said, emphasizing the teamwork and dedication that goes into putting on a production like this.

Rebecca has been co-directing children shows with her daughter since 2015. She expressed her excitement about the upcoming production.

“This was such a fun show to design,” she said. “I always like to incorporate bright colors in our junior productions, and ‘Willy Wonka’ is a perfect show for that. It was fun to try to reimagine the iconic scenes from the movie in a way that works for a small theater company with a small budget.”

The 1971 movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” had an influence on the decision to do “Wonka” presented it in a new way, Rebecca said.  The candy man is played by a girl in both casts.

“The show has lots of great parts for young actors, which isn’t always the case,” she said. “That’s a pretty big inducement. ‘Willy Wonka’ has a very positive message for both kids and parents and gives a few lessons in parenting along the way.”