The musical will run for five shows from March 8 through the 16

ATASCADERO — This spring season, the Atascadero High School Theater Department will perform “Willy Wonka Jr.,” a mystifying musical comedy.

Based on Roald Dahl’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” this show will follow Charlie Bucket, a little boy with a big heart and a family as poor as coal. Their daily joy comes from fresh cabbage soup until now. Willy Wonka, the legendary and secluded chocolatier, creates a contest for five Golden Tickets to be discovered in unsuspecting chocolate bars all over the world. Meet Augustus Gloop, the German glutton; Violet Beuregard, the gum chewing fiend; Veruca Salt, the spoiled brat; and Mike Teavee, the electronic madman; on tour as they submit to their vices in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Each child meets their tragic fate with an Oompa Loompa confrontation until the only winner left is sweet Charlie Bucket. As the story goes, Wonka hands his factory over to Charlie, and the play ends with a heartfelt song. Meet a cast of outrageously quirky characters and prepare to get these catchy tunes stuck in your head. 

“Willy Wonka Jr.” is directed by Shawna Volpa and will open March 8, with shows on March 9 and 15 at 7 p.m., and matinee shows on the March 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. The musical is written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. These students have been in rehearsal since the beginning of 2024 and are ready to show their talent to the world.

Enjoy a beautiful set made entirely by the technical theater class. This cast and crew brings a new wonder to the well-known classic, giving you a show you’ll never forget. Come see this production at the Atascadero High School Black Box Theater located at 1 High School Hill Road in Atascadero. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at the door or online at ahsblackbox.ludus.com. 

CAPTION:

(From left) Jonah Sullivan, Isaiah Rice, Delaney Tanner, Milo Graceffa, Liam McLain, Andrea Casey, Sabrina Rivera, and Karson Deveraux are shown in the AHS Theater Department’s “Willy Wonka Jr.” Photo by Hannah Emmack.