If you go ...
What: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday
Where: Monroe High School Performing Arts Center
Cost: $7 for adults, $5 for students
MONROE - It's been a tumultuous few months, but the Monroe High School production of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" is set to premiere at 7 p.m. Friday.
A group of 19 high school actors, 12 youngsters all related to school district staff playing Oompa-Loompas, 13 young musicians playing in the pit below, eight crew members setting up backstage and six adult producers have pushed through four snow days, the loss of a family member and common winter bugs to prepare for this weekend.
Director Jennifer Moehn said the hindrances have done little to quash progress.
"We have had lots of adversity, lots of sickness," Moehn said. "Rehearsals have been going well. Lots of people put in lots of hours."
Moehn decided on the musical for the spring production in honor of Milwaukee-born actor Gene Wilder, who died in August at the age of 83. Wilder starred as the chocolate proprietor in the successful 1971 film adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel.
"It's always been one of my favorite movies with Gene Wilder," Moehn said. "It was meant as a tribute to him."
Her choice for Wonka was senior Nick Fenn, someone she knew was up to the challenge both in acting and vocal capabilities. Junior Ruth Tuttle is playing opposite Fenn as Charlie.
"It's a relatively smaller cast in terms of a musical," Moehn said.
Matching cast members to shows is an endeavor each year. Moehn said it is the eighth year the school has been chosen as nominees for the Tommy Awards, a program offered through the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison as a sort of Tony-esque honors ceremony each June for statewide high school productions. Every time a group is nominated, it is given critiques which Moehn said they use to become better.
Technology will play a big part in the show, from the bubble machine to the moving background. The musical will incorporate some creative scenes, including on-location television clips representing news correspondence much like in the film. Some pre-recorded clips were done at Turner Hall and other places throughout the city. Moehn said Colony Brands Inc. contributed video clips to use with a green screen.
The audience will be a seamless part of the show. Fenn, as Wonka, dances through the audience, opening the show by crooning "Pure Imagination" to the crowd. Tuttle will also engage as Charlie.
Concessions will include Wonka-themed treats like Fizzy Lifting Drinks and confetti cupcakes. Elementary students' colorful and candy-filled artwork hangs along every wall of the auditorium.
Moehn said the show has "already pre-sold quite a few tickets," but they can still be purchased at the high school office during school hours. Tickets will also be available at the door.
A group of 19 high school actors, 12 youngsters all related to school district staff playing Oompa-Loompas, 13 young musicians playing in the pit below, eight crew members setting up backstage and six adult producers have pushed through four snow days, the loss of a family member and common winter bugs to prepare for this weekend.
Director Jennifer Moehn said the hindrances have done little to quash progress.
"We have had lots of adversity, lots of sickness," Moehn said. "Rehearsals have been going well. Lots of people put in lots of hours."
Moehn decided on the musical for the spring production in honor of Milwaukee-born actor Gene Wilder, who died in August at the age of 83. Wilder starred as the chocolate proprietor in the successful 1971 film adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel.
"It's always been one of my favorite movies with Gene Wilder," Moehn said. "It was meant as a tribute to him."
Her choice for Wonka was senior Nick Fenn, someone she knew was up to the challenge both in acting and vocal capabilities. Junior Ruth Tuttle is playing opposite Fenn as Charlie.
"It's a relatively smaller cast in terms of a musical," Moehn said.
Matching cast members to shows is an endeavor each year. Moehn said it is the eighth year the school has been chosen as nominees for the Tommy Awards, a program offered through the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison as a sort of Tony-esque honors ceremony each June for statewide high school productions. Every time a group is nominated, it is given critiques which Moehn said they use to become better.
Technology will play a big part in the show, from the bubble machine to the moving background. The musical will incorporate some creative scenes, including on-location television clips representing news correspondence much like in the film. Some pre-recorded clips were done at Turner Hall and other places throughout the city. Moehn said Colony Brands Inc. contributed video clips to use with a green screen.
The audience will be a seamless part of the show. Fenn, as Wonka, dances through the audience, opening the show by crooning "Pure Imagination" to the crowd. Tuttle will also engage as Charlie.
Concessions will include Wonka-themed treats like Fizzy Lifting Drinks and confetti cupcakes. Elementary students' colorful and candy-filled artwork hangs along every wall of the auditorium.
Moehn said the show has "already pre-sold quite a few tickets," but they can still be purchased at the high school office during school hours. Tickets will also be available at the door.