Review of 'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Kids' by BFYTG

Pictured: Members of the cast of ‘Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Kids’ Photos by Nancy Sasso Janis

Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination...

Beacon Falls, CT - The Beacon Falls Youth Theater Group presented a colorful and joyous production of ‘Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Kids’ for only two performances this weekend on the stage at Woodland Regional HS. It was produced in association with Beacon Falls Public Library and Beacon Falls Parks and Recreation Commission. The children were lovingly directed by Ann Cook and Erin K. Moffat throughout what proved to be a challenging rehearsal process.

Remember that Beacon Falls was in the path of one of the recent tornadoes that hit our state. Many families involved with the fledgling theater group were suddenly dealing with the aftermath of the storm. As if that wasn’t enough, a competing event in which some of the children were involved had to change their performance date due to the power outages. And not just members of the ensemble, mind you, but the two leading characters of Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka.

What the resourceful production team chose to do was to have the affected students perform the first night and with only two weeks of rehearsal, have four other young performers take on the roles. Some of the young people came from as far away as Watertown and Bristol. I attended the final matinee, and had I not been made aware of the weather issues, I would never have guessed. It was obvious how hard the more than 30 young thespians had worked to bring this production to life.

‘Willy Wonka Kids’ still contains the songs with music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. It was adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald, based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

The elementary students who appeared in the Sunday matinee were led by the indomitable Nina Bianchi in the title role; this talented young lady did not miss a beat despite her short rehearsal time. Vincent Messina was an adorable Charlie Bucket with a great voice and wonderful stage presence. Jake Stemmer made the audience laugh every time he said a line in the great role of Grandpa Joe and Abby Messina was a strong Mrs. Beauregard.

Emily Ambrocio made a mark as the Candy Man and an Oompa Loompa. Jack Bshara played Mr. Salt, Norman Cook was Mr. Bucket, Ayla DeCresenzo was his wife and a Candy Man Kid, and Brooke Dunican was Mrs. Teavee. Jayden Goncalves played Grandpa George and an OL, Kayla Hill was Violet’s friend Cornelia and an OL, and Kailyn Lawton was Phineous Trout. Anabella Messina came on as Grandma Georgina (also an OL) and Nikki Perssico was a riot as the gum chewing Violet B. Alivia Ruggiano was Grandma Josephina and on OL, Alanna Pace was the distracted Mike Teavee and Emilia Sierakowska was the German Mrs. Gloop.

Jackson Davis was the scene stealer in the role of Augustus Gloop. The adorable squirrels included Ginny Galasso, Fiona Mason, Liliana Melani (also an OL,) Aaliyah Parker Arielle Parker appeared as a Candy Man Kid and as Billie, a paparazzi. Shout out to the Parker sisters who attend Salem School! Isaiah Benoit was another OL and served on the stage crew. Julia Galasso (Ginny’s sister) appeared as Sophie and a Candy Man Kid. Makenna Horgan did stage crew as well as appear as an OL and Brody Hussey was both the paparazzo James and a Candy Man Kid. Alessia Mirci played Matilda and a Candy Man Kid and Maia Simoes appeared as Danny the photographer and a Candy Man Kid. Rebekkah Lawton was on the stage crew.

Rebecca Armstrong shared the role of Charlie Bucket and Leah Valentino played the title role on Saturday. Shaye Hussey was Mrs. Beauregarde in the other cast and Vincent Messina played the role of Grandpa Joe on Saturday.

Not surprisingly, Hannah Moffat, a new big sister, was strong in the role of Veruca Salt. I inadvertently chose a seat in the audience at the edge of the Moffat family members. At one point in the second act, a dad seated near me wearing a Security t-shirt got up and went backstage. Soon after he appeared onstage for a brief cameo role; turns out that this was not the first time that the wonderful Erin Moffat roped a family member (in this case, her brother) into being in one of her shows.

Erin Moffat, who invited me to the show, was the reason that this theatre group is the first one in the world to be included in the Wingman Program. Ms. Moffat served as choreographer and the kids pulled off every move. Lighting designed by Katie Steinbacher was just enough and sound by Vincent Messina was surprisingly accurate. If the set changes were a bit long at times, what appeared when the curtain opened was worth the wait. The auditorium and the lobby were decorated in colorful candy as well.

The costumes designed by the parents of the young performers were low key but absolutely adorable. I smiled every time the Oompa Loompas entered the stage with their crazy wigs and stylized costumes. Candy Man Kids were dressed in a rainbow of colors and grandmother Barbara Shepperd stitched the adorable gray squirrel costumes. Props were also well-done; the paparazzi used a video camera and cell phones, WW had a great walking stick and there were bubbles both big and small. I loved the shooting confetti and the great maypole constructed by Claudia Mirci.
There are plans to continue this program next school year; I hope to be invited to their upcoming shows.

Nancy Sasso Janis Photo by J. Timothy Quirk

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer