Review of ‘Willy Wonka’ by children’s theatre at Clear Space

Some children’s theatre productions are plays performed by adults but with subject matter and styles which especially appeal to families with children. The Clear Space Theatre Company usually chooses one of these types of shows each summer; recent examples are “Mary Poppins,” “Seussical” and “Shrek the Musical.”

Also popular are the musicals actually performed by children. Recently, the Clear Space Spotlight on Young Performers presented such a work: “Willy Wonka.” This musical was adapted partially from Roald Dahl’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” but more so from its movie adaptions.

Wonka has had quite a history. The original book was written in 1964, and a sequel called “Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator” was finished seven years later. It was inspired by the author’s childhood experience with British chocolate factories. Cadbury was England’s largest chocolate maker, and it was in perpetual rivalry with the other choclatier, Rowntree. Fearing that their competitor would send spies to steal trade secrets, Cadbury and Rowntree obsessively protected knowledge of the production process and gigantic machines used to produce their candies.

There were two films based on the book. Best known was the first, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” advertised as an American musical fantasy family film starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. Reviews were generally positive. It was more successful due to repeated television screenings and home video sales than from its theatrical run. A song from the film, “The Candy Man,” recorded by Sammy Davis Jr., became a very popular hit record.

The second film, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” was directed by Tim Burton and starred Johnny Depp as Willy and Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket. When Charlie wins a contest, he and four other winners are guided by Willy on a tour of his fantastic chocolate factory. It was phenomenally successfully, earning 100 times as much as the previous film.

The Clear Space production of the musical was well paced and always entertaining. There was a large cast of 25 children of all ages, some very young. David Button’s direction and Shondelle Graulich’s choreography kept a brisk and always entertaining pace. Clear Space’s current home has very limited potential for scenery. Most of the action occurs on the thrust, and there’s no fly gallery, so it was no easy job for Eddy Seger to design and paint. He did a wonderful job, effectively using laterally sliding and handheld flats, and a full-stage, gaily colorful backdrop which helped to establish the wonder and mystery of the factory.

Of course, the title role is most important, and actor Gavin Conner was nothing less than amazing. It’s not easy to follow in the footsteps of Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp, but Gavin was in tip-top form. Gavin’s Willy created a captivating song-and-dance man moving in and out of the action with a mysterious twinkle in his eye. Intending to study musical theatre in college and pursue a career in musical theater, Gavin, an Ocean City, Md. native has performed in more than a dozen productions, most of them with the Mainstage company at Clear Space.

The other central role is Charlie, played by Wade Stout, a sophomore at Sussex Academy. He, too, is a Clear Space veteran, having performed in its Spotlight on Young Performers, Summer Repertory, Broadway Bound and Mainstage productions. He most recently played Michael in “Mary Poppins.” He has good stage presence, sings very well, and, although he’s a bit self-conscious about it, is a good hoofer.

There’s a bevy of supporting roles, all of which were cleverly rendered and well performed. It was very impressive to see the talent of all these local children. Several were playing parents and even grandparents. Nothing could be more fun than the appearance of the adorable Oompa Loompas, the workers in Wonka’s chocolate factory.

That the beach area can assemble such a talented cast of children to perform a full-length Broadway musical is most impressive. The Spotlight on Young Performers company is just one part of Clear Space’s programming for and by children, and if “Willy Wonka” is typical of the quality, it’s well worth the cost of admission.