CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY – The New Musical

*I received media tickets to review CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY at The Paramount Theatre in Seattle. All opinion is my own. 

I have two words that best sum up my opinion about this show: SEE IT.

Alright alright. Let me back up a little.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is one of my all-time favorite movies. In fact, my husband and I used to throw a chocolate party on October 1st every year (for about 5 years) to celebrate the day Willy Wonka opened the gates of the chocolate factory for the golden ticket winners.

Wonka Geek Alert/Useless Trivia: The 1971 film (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) has the factory gate opening on October 1st, but in Roald Dahl’s book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, he wrote the date as February 1. We threw our parties according to the movie’s Golden Ticket date, though February 1 is probably the more accurate date.

Aaaanywho…one might say seeing this show was a no-brainer for this girl.

But you don’t have to have had a long time semi-obsession with Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka and Grandpa Joe and Golden Tickets in order to ADORE this new twist on an old favorite! This hit Broadway musical features songs from the original film score (such as “Pure Imagination” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket”, alongside a whole new score from the songwriters of Hairspray!

I went expecting to be delighted by the same songs, lines, and story details I know so well… oh but what surprises were in store…  just like stepping inside Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory!

I really don’t want to spoil the fun by giving away too many revealing details  (*ahem* Oompa Loompas *ahem* the demise of Veruca Salt)… just know the story is a liiiiiiiittle different. But here is a non-spoiler sneak peek!

There is hilarity throughout and we (my mom and daughters) were especially tickled by the little shifts in the story to place pieces in present day era.

The show was full of color and well… PURE IMAGINATION. We became lost in the story so deeply, it felt like intermission came in a blink. 

The cast, the costumes, the sets (in particular – the creative, multidimensional use of multimedia!)… the entire production was beyond expectation. I knew it was going to be AWESOME. I just didn’t expect it to be so, so… so awesomely scrumdiddlyumptious!

In the words of Willy Wonka, “We have so much time and so little to see. Wait a minute! Strike that, reverse it.” In short – HURRY! This show is only at The Paramount in Seattle for a short time (through August 11!). For more information and ticket link visit STG Presents here. Tickets start at just $30!

If you are into wonder, delightful surprises, fun, color, whimsy, and constant smiling… CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY – The New Musical is an absolute must-see. YOU MUST. MUST must.

Oh yeah, and there’s this fun thing they have in the lobby… if you like to have fun and make memories with your favorite people and stuff. I mean, who doesn’t love an opportunity in a free photo booth?!