As a huge fan of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that Julie Dawn Cole and Paris Themmen, two beloved child stars from the classic 1971 movie, are reprising their roles in the upcoming musical parody, “Willy’s Candy Spectacular.” It’s been over five decades since they first brought Veruca Salt and Mike Teavee to life on the silver screen, and now they get to be a part of this exciting new project.
Over half a century later, Julie Dawn Cole and Paris Themmen, two renowned actors from the 1971 film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” are set to revisit the whimsical world of Willy Wonka. They will join a live stage reading of “Willy’s Candy Spectacular,” an amusing musical adaptation based on a recent, chaotic incident involving Willy Wonka that gained widespread attention.
Cole took on the role of the relentless Veruca Salt and Themmen became Mike Teavee with his cowboy hat in the beloved Willy Wonka film led by Gene Wilder. They are set to narrate at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival starting from August 9-18 for Cole, and then from August 19-26 for Themmen.
The idea for Willy’s Candy Spectacular was drawn from a genuine Wonka occasion that took place in Scotland. The event’s promoters marketed it as an “immersive experience,” promising to take fans of Willy Wonka into a “fantastical world.” To entice attendees, they utilized stunning AI-generated visuals. However, this “fantastical world” turned out to be a horrifying disappointment housed in a dull warehouse. The experience was so dismal that it evoked comparisons to a meth lab and rapidly gained notoriety online.
Kirsty Paterson, previously referred to as the Sad Oompa Loompa in the Glasgow tragedy, is part of the ensemble for the live musical performance. Other performers include Shelly Regner known from “Pitch Perfect,” Eric Petersen starring in “School of Rock The Musical” and “Shrek: The Musical,” Nicole Greenwood recognized for her role in “In Plain Sight,” Wilkie Ferguson famous on Broadway for “Motown: The Musical,” Cassandra Parker from “Cabaret,” singer-songwriter Monica Evans, and Chris Villain hailing from “Freakshow.”
As a seasoned theater critic with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting musical productions. So when I heard that “The Little Mermaid” Live is being produced by none other than Richard Kraft and his esteemed Kraft-Engel Productions, I couldn’t contain my excitement!
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2024-07-15 16:24