Casting Call: 'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka'

Yardley Players of Villagers Theatre will hold auditions for "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka," the musical based on the classic children's story, later this March.

The show follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding five golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats: the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory--or suffer the consequences.

Auditionees should prepare a song from or in the style of the show with sheet music in the correct key, be prepared for a group dance audition and readings from the script, download, print and bring an audition form, and bring a recent picture and resumé. Auditions are by appointment only.

For information on the characters' vocal parts, contact the director, Kristy Davis.

Willy Wonka (25-45)	An enigmatic character. Mysterious, mischievous and charismatic.
Charlie Bucket (8-12)	A poor young boy with endless optimism, the emotional heart and soul of the musical.
Grandpa Joe (55+)	Caring, patient and sweet; always reminds Charlie to remain cheerful.
Mr. Bucket (30-45)	Charlie's father.
Mrs. Bucket (30-45)	Charlie's mother.
Grandmas Josephine and Georgina (55+)	Charlie's grandmothers.
Grandpa George (55+)	Charlie's other grandfather.
Phineous Trout (25-45)	Reporter who announces the winners of the Golden Ticket contest throughout the show.
Augustus Gloop (8-12)	The overachieving eater who represents the evils of eating too much
Mrs. Gloop (30-45)	Augustus' mother.
Mike Teavee (8-12)	A young boy who is addicted to video games, the Internet and all other mind-numbing technological devices. Bratty, loud and obnoxious; does not know the word "no."
Mrs. Teavee (30-45)	A take on all television moms of the distant past. Think June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) or Marion Cunningham (Happy Days) or even Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch). Perfectly put together and a bit vacant.
Violet Beauregarde (8-12)	Gum chewer extraordinaire; middle-class brat.
Mrs. Beauregarde (30-45)	Violet's mother, a geography teacher who has invested a great deal of hard-earned money on therapy for her orally fixated daughter, with less than stellar results.
Veruca Salt (8-12)	The wealthy, class-conscious, spoiled brat.
Mr. Salt (30-45)	Veruca's father who's solution to most problems is to buy his way out. He is upper class. Male, 30-45 yrs old
James, Matilda, Sophie, Danny and Alfie (8-12)	Children from Charlie's town.
Ensemble (all ages)	Play townspeople, cooks and Oompa Loompas.

Auditions will occur from 12-5 p.m. March 20, and from 6:30-10 p.m. March 21 in the CM building next to Kelsey Theatre, with callbacks March 23 if needed. Rehearsals will begin April and run 7-9:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 12-4 p.m. Sundays, and performances will be Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays July 1-10 and at 10 a.m. July 8.

To schedule an appointment, for vocal range information, or for more information, contact Kristy Davis at directorkristydavis@gmail.com. Kelsey Theatre is located on the Mercer County Community College campus on 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.