Opening Night

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Set to Open

Christian Borle heads the cast as Willy Wonka in this delicious new musical.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Jack O'Brien, plays at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Jack O'Brien, plays at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
(© Joan Marcus)

The Broadway premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory celebrates its opening night tonight, April 23, at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

Jake Ryan Flynn and Christian Borle take a ride on the great glass elevator.
Jake Ryan Flynn and Christian Borle take a ride on the great glass elevator.
(© Joan Marcus)

Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman, a book by David Greig, and choreography by Joshua Bergasse. The production includes additional songs by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley from the 1971 Warner Bros. motion picture.

Opening night is set for April 23.
Opening night is set for April 23.
(© Joan Marcus)

Starring two-time Tony Award winner Christian Borle, the company also features Jake Ryan Flynn, Ryan Foust, and Ryan Sell making their Broadway debuts as Charlie Bucket, alongside John Rubinstein (Pippin) as Grandpa Joe, Emily Padgett (Sweet Charity) as Mrs. Bucket, Kathy Fitzgerald (9 to 5) as Mrs. Gloop, F. Michael Haynie (Wicked) as Augustus Gloop, Ben Crawford (Shrek) as Mr. Salt, Emma Pfaeffle (Finding Neverland) as Veruca Salt, Alan H. Green (School of Rock) as Mr. Beauregard, Trista Dollison (A Bronx Tale — The Musical) as Violet Beauregard, Jackie Hoffman (On the Town, FX's Feud) as Mrs. Teavee, and Michael Wartella (Tuck Everlasting) as Mike Teavee.

Ryan Foust finds a golden ticket.
Ryan Foust finds a golden ticket.
(© Joan Marcus)

Featured in the ensemble are Yesenia Ayala, Darius Barnes, Colin Bradbury, Jared Bradshaw, Ryan Breslin, Kristy Cates, Madeleine Doherty, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Stephanie Gibson, Talya Groves, Cory Lingner, Elliott Mattox, Monette McKay, Kyle Taylor Parker, Paul Slade Smith, Stephen Carrasco, Kristin Piro, Amy Quanbeck, Michael Williams, and Mikey Winslow.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and a book by David Greig.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and a book by David Greig.
(© Joan Marcus)

The production features scenic and costume design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Andrew Keister, puppet design by Basil Twist, projection design by Jeff Sugg, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, and music direction and supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck.

Ryan Sell is excited over his candy bar in a scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Ryan Sell is excited over his candy bar in a scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
(© Joan Marcus)

For tickets and more information, click here.

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