JR Blogger Chris Enjoys Willy Wonka

Junior Blogger, Chris Eppley, tells us all about his Willy Wonka experience.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Friday, January 12, 2018 1n San Francisco the Children’s Theater had the play “Willy Wonka” playing. This performance had great service before the play, after the play, and during the 15 minute intermission. Right before the performance “Willy Wonka” herself came out and pointed out the emergency exits and gave credit to all the companies that helped to make the play possible. The characters were enthusiastic, funny, creative, exciting, sad at some times and happy at other times. The cast was talking to the audience. An oompa loopa puppet high-fived a little girl in the audience.  

The boring parts of the movie and book were changed into songs.

The cast “twisted it up” a bit. Willy Wonka, the Candy Man, poor guy, Grandma Georgina, and Phineous Trout were played by Mary Gibboney. Charlie Bucket by Juan Castro. Oompa loompa #1, Mrs. Bucket, and Mrs. Gloop by pauli N. Amornkul. Oompa loompa #2, Veruca Salt, Matilda, Grandma Josephina, and Ms. Teavee by LeighAnn Cannon. Mike Teavee, Mr. Bucket, and Mr. Salt by Kailah Cayou. Agustus Gloop, Grampa Joe, James, and Mrs. Beauregarde by Paul Loper. Violet Beauregarde and Grandpa George by Chelsea Wellot.

A four year old named Maya says”So good.” Other audience members like the simple set, the part of Wonka retiring, just the show itself, the music, characters, and singing. Also, for the adults there are some jokes involving the card game “Gin.” There are famous names used like Edgar Allan Poe. For an exciting part of the play there are “BUBBLES!” (Veruca Salt quote)

Interviews with Agustus and Violet:

Chris: How long did you practice?

Agustus: 5 weeks.

Violet: 5 weeks.

Chris: What were your favorite parts?

Agustus: My number “I Eat More!”

Violet: Working with Oompa Loompas and pretending to lick Charlie’s hand.

Chris: Anything you just want to say that’s not in the other questions?

Augustus: Since there weren’t many people who had screens who weren’t rich at the time the play was based on it’s a good experience to go to a play, not a movie.

Violet: The cast worked well together overcoming things like our original Wonka calling in sick at the last minute.

Chris: Your original Wonka was sick?

Violet: Yes the original Wonka was a man. This Wonka is a woman.

Chris: I couldn’t even tell she didn’t get as much practice as the rest of you guys!

Violet: Yep. That’s why she’s called Madam Wonka in this production.

Chris: Instead of Mister Wonka.

Violet: Yep.

Chris: Thanks Agustus. Thanks Violet. Bye.

Jr. Blogger Review: Willy Wonka

      

  Junior Blogger, Alex Eppley, tells us all about Willy Wonka!

I loved Willy Wonka. 

It was nice how they made the beginning a song instead of an introduction. I liked how the stage was shaped like a peppermint. Though, it was purple.

         Then, it was super funny how they made the grandparents not hear well. I liked how Charlie had two failed golden ticket attempts instead of one. I also liked the candy man, he was hilarious in every way.  Really, everything was great.

The ticket interviews were awesome!

I can tell you one thing about each of the characters. Charlie and the other Buckets think positive. Violet Beauregarde likes to chew a lot of gum, Veruca Salt is bossy and spoiled, Augustus Gloop eats a lot, and Mike Teavee is a screen zombie. Oh! The grandparents like gin.

         When there is only one golden ticket left. Charlie goes to the candy man and finds a nickel. The candy man gives him a free Wonka bar. It has no ticket =(. He buys a Wonka bar with his found nickel and finds a golden ticket =)!

         At intermission I interviewed three kids. 

Maya thinks the five year old based Willy Wonka play is great, even at only four years old. She likes that Charlie got the golden ticket. Rian likes Willy Wonka because of the shiny golden ticket, he says he likes everything. Ramona likes that Willy Wonka makes candy, her father Geoff  like the songs and the dancing. They were surprised Willy Wonka was a woman.

         Then the second half was great, and at the end I interviewed LeighAnn Cannon, who played Veruca Salt. LeighAnn likes the theater because it gives her an opportunity to do new things in the show. It’s been a dream role of hers since she was 10 and it was great to finally sing Veruca’s famous song in the play. But most of all, she really likes the members in the cast.

The Willy Wonka New Year's Bash!

This review of our first ever NYE party comes from Jr. Blogger Sophie Knipp!

Doesn’t everybody like fun parties? 

Well, the BACT New Year’s Eve Bash was a blast that included the musical Willy Wonka, sweet treats, and a fun dance party with the Night Fairy where everyone cheered to the new year. If you want to know more, read on!

The evening began with a quick reception with activities like face painting, a photo booth, raffle drawing, and drinks (for both kids and adults). We were then escorted to the Osher Studio for the main event: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the musical. 

The show is about a poor boy named Charlie Bucket who wins a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory. Mary Gibboney, the actress who plays Willy Wonka, said that “A whole lot is different” between the popular movies and the musical; and I agree! 

The most noticeable difference was the oompa loompas.  They were the cutest puppets I have ever seen. 

  Emery Oompa, played by the actress Pauli Amornkul, is an orange fuzzy, 2-eyed, 3 feet tall adorable creature . “The kids love it. It adds another dimension”, said Pauli about using puppets in the show. 

The costumes were creative, especially the masks the actors wore to show they were playing different parts. The set included a colorful lollipop designed floor that made you want to lick it!

 “I think the message of the show is to not be afraid to be yourself... and everyone has a chance to be successful”, said Juan Castro who plays Charlie Bucket.

 After the show, the actors led us to the second theatre where there was a dance party where we counted down to the New Year with the Night Fairy from BACT’s show playing now recommended for ages 8 and up. The party was bumping and thumping with laughter, fun, desserts, drinks, awesome music (by DJ Austin Zumbro and his puppet shark), and lots of balloons in the air!

The BACT New Year’s Eve Bash was a great experience for families! My next blog will be about BACT’s first show in Sunnyvale, Elephant and Piggie. Stay tuned! 

Get Silly with Sugar: Willy Wonka Activity Guide

Put your leftover Halloween candy to use and get in the candy factory spirit with these Willy Wonka themed activities before or after you see The Willy Wonka Musical.

If you're like Augustus Gloop and can't get enough chocolate, try your hand at making your own chocolate goop.

If edible wallpaper is your treat of choice, try your hand at this edible wallpaper.  It's the perfect project for cookie cutters and free hand cutouts.  The best part is, if you don't like your first attempt, eat it and start over!

Get scientific with some holiday mints, and learn all about the density of different kinds of candy.  What floats, what dissolves, and what does candy start to look like as it digests?  So many questions, Wonka helps you find the answers. 

If your life is lacking candy, don't worry.  Grab some string, sugar, and water and grow your own rock candy.  Make it extra fancy with the food coloring and flavoring of your choice.  How many colors can you create? 

You many not have your own fizzy drink that makes you fly, but what if you could make M&M's float?   Try this fun experiment, and think light thoughts!

Have some of your own Wonka inspired projects?  Share with us on social media! 

Summer Reading: Get Ready for Next Season

Finally, our 2017/2018 season has been announced!  We couldn't be more thrilled for our new home and new season of exciting shows for kids and parents alike!

Here's part one of our 2017 reading list to prepare the whole family for a season of Bay Area Children's Theatre fun!

The Rainbow Fish!




A favorite classic for anyone who loves a little sparkle and adventures under the sea!  If you're too young for Rainbow Fish, try The Rainbow Fish finger puppet edition! And for more Rainbow Fish adventures, check out Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar!




This classic sells one copy every thirty seconds world wide!  Looking for some companion pieces?  How about I love Mom with the Very Hungry Caterpillar--just in time for Mother's Day?  Or another Eric Carle gem, My First Book of Food, because it's never too early to become a Bay Area Foodie!

The Night Fairy



A longer read at 128 pages,  The Night Fairy as the question "what if a fairy loses her wings?"  If you're too young for The Night Fairy, author Laura Amy Schlitz just released her latest book, Princess Cora and the Crocodile last month.
 

Willy Wonka!


From the wacky mind of Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is one of his less terrifying pieces of kid lit.  Other less popular choices include Danny Champion of the World, and when the kids are ready to learn where all of these crazy stories originated, his memoir of sorts, Boy



Time to get reading, and check back soon for part two of our summer reading list!