Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, music & lyrics by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman, plus songs by Anthony Newley & Leslie Bricusse. Philadelphia Academy of Music through November 18, 2018.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will forever be associated with the appealing personality of Gene Wilder who starred in the original 1971 film. This touring production proves that there are other winning qualities in the show. It presents a dozen talented performances and doesn’t rely on a name star in the lead role.
Noah Weisberg does a fine job as Willy Wonka, singing, dancing and acting the comically sadistic chocolate manufacturer. He makes his Wonka deranged, malicious, and sweet. You can’t help but keep your eyes glued to see what he’ll do next. He dazzles with his song-and-dance hoofing, his energetic strutting, and his winning smile.
In contrast to the movie and to last year’s Broadway production, the real center of attraction is the young Charlie Bucket, due to a superb performance by Henry Boshart. (Two other boys alternate in the role.) Boshart is adorable, sings well, acts without affection, and his enunciation is crystal-clear.
Amanda Rose is engaging as Charlie’s supportive mother.
Jessica Cohen as the Russian ballerina Veruca is a standout; it’s not often that a dancer on pointe has such a strong, belting singing voice. James Young is a gruff, outspoken Grandpa Joe. Other outstanding performances include Kathy Fitzgerald as the yodeling Bavarian woman, and Bynn Williams and David Samuel as queen-of-pop Violet and her father.
This production by Jack O’Brien relies more on projections by Jeff Sugg than on elaborate scenery. The iconic candy land scene (famous for its acres of edible trees and a chocolate waterfall) is underwhelming. The nasty edge to Roald Dahl’s story — the candy man’s sadistic dispatch of people who annoy him — may seem off-putting, but the way these characters are destroyed is hilarious. Most kids today will take this in stride.
The pleasant music is by Hairspray’s Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and includes a spectacular finale to Act I with the production ensemble number “It Must Be Believed to be Seen.” Two of the songs written by Newley and Bricusse for the old film are happily retained: “The Candy Man Can” and “Pure Imagination.”
Some of the jokes are send-ups of commercialization and the advertising industry. Some other gags are silly and immature. Charlie Alterman leads the five-piece pit band in the Doug Besterman-Michael Starobin orchestrations that provide a much larger sound.
Ultimately, this musical provides an enjoyable night out for the family. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has plenty of laughs, some sweet moments, and puts a smile on your face.