Hart drama clubs present ‘Willy Wonka’ this weekend.

March 8, 2022

River Kistler stars in “Willy Wonka” this weekend.

Hart drama clubs present ‘Willy Wonka’ this weekend.

Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.

HART — Members of the Hart middle and high school drama clubs will present the musical, “Willy Wonka,” this weekend in the Hart Middle School Auditorium.

This high-energy, colorful adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic novel is filled with all the nostalgia and beloved music of the original 1971 film starring Gene Wilder. Audience members will be transported to Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, where they’ll meet Oompa Loompas, greedy children who fall for Wonka’s tests, and of course Wonka, himself.

“This show is so fun, and I’m jazzed for audiences to see it,” said Hart Public Schools Drama Club Advisor David Moul. “Lots of bright colors, familiar tunes, and a lighthearted storyline are just what we need at this time of year. This show has been especially interesting to work on, because it’s our first ever joint production with both high school and middle school students. Because the script calls for so many characters — like Oompa Loompas, squirrels, chefs, and more — and because of the size and maturity difference needed between some of the child characters and the parents, combining both groups made a lot of sense. 

“It’s been fun to watch our middle schoolers take ownership of their roles and learn from the high schoolers as we’ve gone along,” said Moul. “Being in a big show like this gives them a really amazing growth experience most of them wouldn’t get until they reach high school. Usually, the two clubs function separately from each other, but I’m excited to see the community come out and watch the whole drama program at work. It’s going to be a riot.”

Show times are Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12, at 7 p.m. A matinee is Sunday, March 13, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. They can be purchased ahead at showtix4u.com/events/hartdrama. Remaining tickets can be purchased at the box office before the show. 

Willy Wonka

 

 

Cast:

Willy Wonka River Kistler
Candy Man David Routley
Phineous Trout Travis Reed
Grandpa Joe Michael Splane
Charlie Bucket Asher Zost
Mrs. Bucket Grace McGhan
Mr. Bucket James Vega
Grandma Josephine Zoey Brown
Grandma Georgina Anaya VanderZwaag
Grandpa George Carson Jensen
Augustus Gloop Grady Anderson
Mrs. Gloop Lea Kusche
Veruca Salt Lucy Hayes
Mr. Salt Reed Schulz
Mike Teavee Ethan Sandoval
Ms. Teavee Peyton Hansen
Violet Beauregarde Gina VanderKodde
Mrs. Beauregarde Kelly VanderKodde

Ensemble:

Kaden Taylor
Oziraya Thrailkill
Maya Morales
Olivia DeBrot
Faith VanderVlucht
Kamryn Taylor
Macy Riley
Dominic Fulford
McKenna VanderZanden
Rhet Johnson
Edmund Hayes
Harleigh Davis
Aubrey Hendrickson
Alliah Hall
Morgen Bowker
Alexandra Fillips
Emery Velat
Atreya Salazar
Harley Stayner

 

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