In chill of winter, Wonka tale brings welcome warmth

The audience was continuously engaged as the story unfolded.
By SARAH POULTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Opening night of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" at the New Castle Playhouse Augustine Auditorium was a breath of fresh air. After weeks of snow and frigid conditions, the constant sound of children laughing was warm enough to melt the mounds of snow on the ground.
Richard R. George's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was adapted from a fantasy written by Ronald Dahl. This children's rendition, directed by Peggy Hanna, was interactive through the play's narrator, Cherie Stebner. Stebner told the story of a young boy named Charlie Bucket, a wealthy chocolate tycoon, Willy Wonka, and a variety of children who possessed different personality quirks. Stebner addressed the audience throughout the play and got them excited about what was to come.
The play began with the narrator introducing the "Golden Ticket" holders. All the children dreamed of touring the giant chocolate factory, but none of them had a clue of what was in store for them.
Cast highlights
Charlie, played by Zachary Marlin, was a humble boy who came from a poor family. Zachary, in what seemed to be a perfect performance, was enthusiastic and dedicated in his portrayal of Charlie. Charlie was the last of the five contestants, and as the tour of the factory progressed, he remained true to his roots, and came out on top.
Wonka, played by John Pecano, was humorous and believable. As the owner of the chocolate factory, Pecano made the audience laugh throughout the entire play as he searched high and low for his future apprentice.
As Charlie and the other four children spent their day at the chocolate wonderland, Wonka secretly tested each of them in a variety of ways. His goal was to find a child who loved the factory as much as he did.
Augustus Gloop, played by Julian Romeo, was a sloppy chocoholic who accidentally stumbled upon one of the sought-after golden tickets as he was scoffing up multiple chocolate bars. Unfortunately for Augustus, his journey was brief, and he ended up floating down a chocolate river.
Violet Beauregarde, played by Carly Edman, was the second lucky child who got her hands on a golden ticket while taking a very brief break from talking and from her other passion, chewing gum. The chewing gum ended up being the demise of Violet, as she turned into a blueberry after taking a piece of gum from the factory that had not been finished.
Veruca Salt, played by Lisandra Stebner, was the spoiled daughter of a rich factory owner who managed to get his daughter a ticket by buying every chocolate bar he could get his hands on. Her bad case of the "I wants" ended her venture after she demanded one of Wonka's magic squirrels. The squirrels decided she was a "bad nut" and dragged her down the garbage chute.
The last of Charlie's competition was a couch potato named Mike Teavee. Mike, played by Bryson Cook, was so fascinated by Wonka's latest invention, "Television Chocolate," that he decided he could also travel through a television. He couldn't and ended up the size of an action figure.
In the end, good conquered over evil, and Charlie and his family went to live with Wonka in his factory. It was filled with light-hearted, fun, family entertainment. The young, and young at heart, are encouraged to join Charlie on his "wonderful adventure in a delicious land."