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Arts & Entertainment

'Candy Man' Willy Wonka Comes to Yorktown

The family-friendly show will delight audiences.

Willa Wonka, the classic candy story, is being presented for the first time at this month.

It tells the timeless tale of world-famous candy man Willy Wonka and his quest to find an heir to take over his candy-making business. Charlie Bucket, a poor boy, finds one of five golden tickets hidden among 50 million candy bars. Charlie and four other winners embark on a tour of Wonka's legendary chocolate factory. 

Yorktown Stage founder Barry Liebman, who has been directing and producing local theater for 35 years, said he is excited about this show.

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"Everybody seems to know this story—it is funny and magical and after the re-make of the movie with Johnny Depp, many more people remembered it," he said.

The stage production, which was never a Broadway musical, is based on Roald Dahl’s novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” and later the musical film adaption “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” It features great, memorable music, Liebman said. Songs like The Candy Man,” “Pure Imagination,” “Oompa Loompa” and ”I Want it Now,” will keep audiences humming, he said.

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Lead actor Charlie Hallock who plays Willy Wonka, said this is just the role for him.

"I have been acting since I was 10, but I am also a magician, so this character is just a fabulous fit," he said.

For his first appearance at the Yorktown Stage, he joins a cast of 31 others—16 kids and 16 adults—who promise a show that is a wonderful family experience to kick-off the holiday season.

Ten-year old Evan Smolin of Ridgefield who plays Charlie Bucket is an amazing talent. Liebman called him a brilliant actor, who "has all the instincts and intelligence to take his career far" and they are lucky to have him.

Other cast members include Yorktown local Katie Balen who plays Veruca Salt, Miles J. Harvey as Mike Teavee and Dick Smith of Somers is Grandpa Joe.

Hallock offered this heartfelt message for the show which opens Friday, Nov. 18: “Come experience the magic of Willy Wonka.”

Performances are Nov. 18-20 and Nov. 25-27 at Yorktown Stage, check its website for show times. Tickets are adults: $26, Yorktown residents $24, seniors (over 62) $21, students (12-22) $21, children (Under 12) $19. Tickets can be purchased on the website or at the door.

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