Starlight debuts season with Willy Wonka

MARC BUCKHOUT ~ MANAGING EDITOR~ 9/28/2011

Forty years after Gene Wilder played the eccentric candy man Willy Wonka, Starlight Community Theater will present Roald Dahl’s story about Wonka’s quest to find an heir to his factory.
A cast of 41 will perform the classic beginning with opening night, a 7 p.m. performance on Oct. 6. The show also will have 7 p.m. performances on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8, matinee performances at 3 p.m. on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 and the final showing at 6 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Boulder Creek High School’s Performing Arts
Center Main Stage.
For James Wilson, a 13-year-old Anthem resident, who plays Charlie Bucket, the show is a family affair as his dad, Peter, is playing the role of Bill, the Candyman and his younger brother David is an Oompa-Loompa.
“My mom’s not in it because she’s going for her doctorate, but we talk about it all the time at home,” James said. “It’s hard not to talk about it because we have such a great cast, but after three hours she’ll say no more Willie Wonka talk. We’ve got a lot of weird people in this cast and I love that about them.”
Starlight turned to Scott Sims, a Black Canyon City resident, who made his Starlight debut last season in Bye Bye Birdie to play the lead role of Willie Wonka.
“I liked the group so much that I’ve adopted them as a second family,” Sims said.
In taking the role as such an iconic character Sims said he has avoided reviewing the film.
“Obviously I’ve seen the movie so I remember a lot of things, but I wanted to do my own take on the character,” he said.
Sims, who works as a choir teacher at Deer Valley High School, said he is once again impressed by the quality of actors.
“Sometimes you work with children and you feel like you have to carry them, but I don’t feel that pressure at all with this group,” he said.
Savoy Graca plays one of the kids vying for Wonka’s empire as Violet, a character long on personality, but short on listening skills.
“She not the easiest character I’ve ever played, but she’s definitely the most fun,” the 12-year-old Anthem resident said.
Along with Wilson, as Bucket, and Graca as Violet the other Golden Ticket winners that have a chance to impress Wonka are Veruca Salt, Mike Teevee and Augustus Gloop.
Maddie Woolfenden, 11, who plays Veruca Salt, said the size of the personalities in the play is sure to grab audiences’ attention.
“My biggest challenge is trying to act more bratty,” she said. “I try to think of how I am when I’m really mad.”
Along with a real camaraderie amongst the cast there is a sense of trying to live up to larger than life characters.
William Rippenkroeger, a 14-year-old Boulder Creek freshman, plays Mike Teevee.
“I’ve had quite a few people tell me that I was born for this part,” he said. “I’m bringing an upbeat, cocky attitude to the role. I love this group we have. We come from different places, but we work well together. It’s a lot of fun to be around this bunch.”
Collin Welch, a seventh grader who plays Augustus Gloop, will be participating in his first major play, outside of a church musical.
“I try to bring a lot of excitement to my character,” he said. “I like making people laugh. I think they will definitely enjoy this show.”
The depth of talent in the cast is evidenced by Lilly LeBlanc, an ariZoni award winner from earlier this month, who is an Oompa-Loompa.
LeBlanc was honored for best supporting actress in The Emperor’s New Clothes. She said the award gave her a measure of confidence.
“I didn’t believe it when I was nominated and I could feel my heart in my chest when I won,” she said. “It makes me feel good about what I’m doing.”
The show features songs from the film including, “Pure Imagination,” “The Candy Man,” “Cheer Up Charlie,” and “Oompa Loompa.”
The Daisy Mountain Fire Department is conducting a toy drive at the Willy Wonka shows. Anyone bringing a new toy or stuff animal will receive a $5 discount on their ticket.
Boulder Creek High School is located at 40404 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway in Anthem. Tickets for the show are $15 for adults and $12 for students.
For ticket information go to starlightcommunitytheater.org or call 602-380-6331. Theater supporters can also contribute to Starlight by purchasing their Halloween costumes from wholesalecostumeclub.com. By using the promo code FUN670 at checkout Starlight will receive 15 percent of the purchase price.