Wonka's Nightmare: Original Cast Members Star in Musical Parody
After more than 50 years, two iconic child stars from the classic 1971 film, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," are stepping back into the world of candy. Julie Dawn Cole, who played the infamous Veruca Salt, and Paris Themmen, who portrayed the TV-obsessed Mike Teavee, will serve as narrators in a live stage reading of "Willy's Candy Spectacular." The musical, inspired by a disastrous real-life "immersive experience" that made headlines earlier this year, will premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Cole will lead the cast from August 9th to 18th, with Themmen taking over from August 19th to 26th.
"Willy's Candy Spectacular" draws inspiration from a failed "Willy Wonka" event in Scotland, which promised a "magical realm" but delivered a depressing warehouse experience, attracting comparisons to a meth lab and going viral. The event, marketed with alluring AI-generated images, became a symbol of unrealistic expectations and disappointment.
Joining Cole and Themmen in the live reading are a cast of talented actors, including Kirsty Paterson, who was dubbed the "Sad Oompa Loompa" after her experience at the disastrous event. The cast also features Shelley Regner (known for the "Pitch Perfect" series), Eric Petersen ("School of Rock The Musical," "Shrek: The Musical"), Nicole Greenwood ("In Plain Sight"), Wilkie Ferguson (Broadway's "Motown: The Musical"), Cassandra Parker ("Cabaret"), singer-songwriter Monica Evans, and Chris Villain ("Freakshow").
"Willy's Candy Spectacular" is produced by Richard Kraft, producer of "The Little Mermaid Live," under his Kraft-Engel Productions banner. Kraft, alongside Andy Fickman, is writing the musical's book, with a selection of songs being released in anticipation of its eventual stage debut. The musical boasts a talented songwriting team, including Riki Lindhome, Daniel Mertzlufft, Doug Rockwell, Tova Litvin, Alan Zachary, Michael Weiner, Megan Cavallari, Kate Miccuci, Jennifer Lucy Cook, and Kraft himself.
This musical parody promises to offer a humorous and satirical take on the infamous Wonka event, offering audiences a chance to relive the magic of the classic film while also reflecting on the pitfalls of inflated expectations. With a cast that includes the original stars and a team of experienced musical theatre professionals, "Willy's Candy Spectacular" is sure to be a captivating and entertaining experience for audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
