I felt like I had a golden ticket when I stepped into the Montrose A&A to experience the middle school musical, Willy Wonka, Jr! From the opening song and dance number to the finale, I was blown away by the amount of talent that the Montrose middle school possesses.
The show follows the story of Willy Wonka, the greatest chocolate maker of all time, who has long since closed his chocolate factory to the public. No one is allowed to see the factory, except Wonka’s workers, the green haired Oompa-Loompas. However, Wonka hides golden tickets in five of his candy bars. The five lucky children who find a golden ticket will be allowed to tour his factory, and one child will become Wonka’s heir. Wonka eventually chooses Charlie Bucket because he remains honest and optimistic in the face of poverty and setbacks. In the words of Lily Crowley ’30, an Oompa-Loompa soloist: “the overall message of Willy Wonka is that being kind will get you far.”
Putting on Willy Wonka, Jr. was truly a full, semester-long endeavor for director Mrs. Rios and the many students involved. Cast members auditioned for the show on the second and third days of school and began rehearsing three times a week soon after that. The crew had to design quite a few complicated set pieces such as Wonka’s purple and gold candy-cart, a hot pink “candy” boat, and a chocolate river, just to name a few. Both cast and crew worked all semester and were extremely dedicated during the final tech week, which Mimi Naylor ’29 – a squirrel and member of the ensemble – called the “most challenging aspect” to being in Willy Wonka, Jr.
Mimi also stated: “My favorite part of the experience was making a whole bunch of new friends I wouldn’t have otherwise met in those months, which is my ultimate goal when I’m participating in these plays at Montrose.”
Here’s hoping that all these “friends” involved in bringing to life this iconic production can take Christmas break to relax, put up their feet…and perhaps celebrate by enjoying a Wonka bar or two. Bravo for a job well done!
Lara Cratty ‘27, Contributing Writer
