There is no musical I know that compares with the pure imagination of “Willy Wonka.” It brought the audience to their feet.
The auditorium was transformed into a sugar-filled dream that brought the Willy Wonka chocolate factory to life with a set designed by teacher Jeff Garst and built by the Glitter Dads and crew. The cast and crew brough tremendous energy and poured their whole heart out on that stage. Among this talented group, there were a select few that stood out.
Senior Logan Kieckhafer truly embodied the whimsical yet mysterious character of Willy Wonka. His vocal range was very impressive and captured the emotions of the songs. Senior Kenzie Carlson was witty and had great expression in her role of reporter Phineous Trout. Her subtle facial expressions were a perfect touch. Sophomore Gage Petrick, performing in a lead role for the first time, was the ultimate choice for Charlie Bucket. He was able to exemplify the hopefulness, pureness, and good nature of this character. He also showcased some very strong vocals. Senior Jonah Lagrange brought a cheerful and optimistic light through the songs of the Candyman.
The show would not be complete however without the hard work of the crew that went on behind the scenes. The set was spectacular. One piece that stood out was the golden tickets hanging above the stage, each with one of the five kids’ names. Each time a kid was introduced to the show, their name would light up, and when they faced their fate in the factory, the light went dark. This left Charlie Bucket’s name glowing brightly in the middle at the end. It was small touches like these that refigured Elkhorn High’s auditorium into “a world of pure imagination.”
The band brought together the ambiance of the show and failed to miss a beat. Everything was so meticulously thought out about this performance. The concession stand was even Willy Wonka-themed, serving snacks like lollipops, Wonka bars, fizzy lifting drinks, and more. The cast and crew rode the pink candy boat all the way to three packed shows that ended in standing ovations.
