If you go ...
• What: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
• When: 7 p.m. Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4 and 1 p.m. Sunday, March 5
• Where: Monroe High School Performing Arts Center
• Cost: $7 for adults, $5 for students
MONROE - The Monroe High School production of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" will premiere next week after it was postponed due to a vehicle crash that killed three students, including a cast member.
Gage Noble, 16, was killed alongside fellow Monroe sophomores Anya T. L. Teasdale, 16, and Joseph T. Wyss, 15, in a car crash Feb. 10. Noble was going to appear in the high school play that night as Mr. Bucket, father to the play's protagonist Charlie.
The play will now be performed March 3-5.
Director Jennifer Moehn said there was never any likelihood of canceling the play after the crash.
"We thought that the best thing for everyone was to finish what we started," Moehn said. "It's what Gage would have wanted."
Moehn said Gage's role will now be filled by Juda High School senior Nick Baum, adding that she thought it best to find an actor who didn't have an emotional connection with Noble.
"It's been really hard," Moehn said Tuesday. "We had our first rehearsal last night and there were a lot of tears ... but also a lot of laughs when we remembered all the things Gage would do.
"It's important for kids to complete this circle," Moehn said. "And to teach them that life has to go on."
"Willy Wonka" will take to the stage at 7 p.m. March 3 and 4, and 1 p.m. March 5.
People who bought tickets for a previously scheduled show will be able to use their tickets at the corresponding show in March - for example, a ticket for the Friday, Feb. 10 show is valid for the Friday, March 3 show - or exchange tickets for a different show time at the Monroe High School office.
Gage Noble, 16, was killed alongside fellow Monroe sophomores Anya T. L. Teasdale, 16, and Joseph T. Wyss, 15, in a car crash Feb. 10. Noble was going to appear in the high school play that night as Mr. Bucket, father to the play's protagonist Charlie.
The play will now be performed March 3-5.
Director Jennifer Moehn said there was never any likelihood of canceling the play after the crash.
"We thought that the best thing for everyone was to finish what we started," Moehn said. "It's what Gage would have wanted."
Moehn said Gage's role will now be filled by Juda High School senior Nick Baum, adding that she thought it best to find an actor who didn't have an emotional connection with Noble.
"It's been really hard," Moehn said Tuesday. "We had our first rehearsal last night and there were a lot of tears ... but also a lot of laughs when we remembered all the things Gage would do.
"It's important for kids to complete this circle," Moehn said. "And to teach them that life has to go on."
"Willy Wonka" will take to the stage at 7 p.m. March 3 and 4, and 1 p.m. March 5.
People who bought tickets for a previously scheduled show will be able to use their tickets at the corresponding show in March - for example, a ticket for the Friday, Feb. 10 show is valid for the Friday, March 3 show - or exchange tickets for a different show time at the Monroe High School office.