‘A jaunt into a fantastical world’

Chocolate bars, Oompa Loompas and golden tickets can all be seen this weekend in the Seward High School Theatre Collective’s production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

Evelyn Bukac is the assistant director for the show, and said the cast brings the “otherworldly joy” of the story to life. The cast is composed of many middle school students, and Bukac said they embody the youthful feeling of the play.

The assistant director, Bukac said, moves sets, guides the cast and helps facilitate and manage countless transitions, costume changes — alongside costume directors Sharon Ganzer and Ariel Brackin — and props.

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The show, an adaptation of the familiar Roald Dahl novel by Richard R. George, follows Charlie Bucket as he gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory alongside a colorful cast of other children.

Adelle Groom plays the titular boy, and said she has a lot of room with the character to be shocked and disturbed by the things her castmates are doing. Charlie is also interesting because he says things like “golly” and “oh dear.”

In a top hat and a wacky purple coat is Rebecca Brackin as Willy Wonka. The role, she said, is all about pushing limitations, getting all over the stage and making weird gestures with her hands and cane.

“He’s silly, he’s a little bit scary, he’s crazy, zany, larger than life,” she said. “It’s just super, duper, unbelievably fun.”

Amara Ransom plays Veruca Salt, a bold and demanding young girl. Ransom said she gets to be loud and play up Veruca’s desire to have things — “I’m so excited to open up with a bang.”

Clay Pullins is Augustus Gloop, his first speaking role in a stageplay. The character is interesting, Pullins said, because he’s anchored to his gluttony and his desire for chocolate and food.

Philip Trobaugh brings screen-ager Mike Teavee to life, bringing his own passion for electronics to a satirical extreme.

Aurora Bukac plays Violet Beauregarde, a role very different from her previous stage appearance as “Alice in Wonderland.” Violet is rude, knows what she likes, and has a sassier side.

A group of young actors, including Ellie Jones and Pearl Miller, play the Oompa Loompas, coming onstage between scenes to sing and dance. Fortunately, Jones said, “I love dancing.”

People should see “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Miller said, so they can see how much work the actors and crew put into the show.

Several members of the cast said “Charlie” is a production that revels in color and whimsy in a way not unlike their 2024 production of “Alice in Wonderland.”

Oliver Bukac, who plays Grandpa Joe, said that “Charlie” is “a jaunt into a fantastical world.”

Briley Appel, who plays Mrs. Gloop, said that the theater collective had put a lot of hard work into making the show special. In addition to playing a role on stage, she also helped design one of the many wacky props that bring the factory to life.

Mia Wallace-Hayes, who portray’s Veruca’s mother, spotlighted the varied lighting effects in the show and the massive, striking prop boat that fills the stage for one scene.

Brackin, who plays Wonka, said that the show strikes a balance of exploring morals through troublesome kids while lacing everything in whimsy.

Riley Hinton, who appears in two roles as the fathers of both Charlie and Veruca, said that “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is a light show without some of the darkness at the hearts of previous Seward productions like “Alice in Wonderland” or “Clue.” There’s “magic” in Wonka’s factory.

Many of the actors said that the Seward High School Theatre Collective is a family and a creative outlet that’s important to them.

“To put on an amazing stage production with these people just fills my heart with joy,” said Allison Phillips, the show’s narrator.

In theater and in the collective, Aurora said, she’s learned about herself and found people she loves being with and performing with.

“We are a little family here,” Brackin said. “This family is doing wonders for the community of this town and the community of this school. Please come out. We would love to see your smiley faces here.”

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” opened last weekend in the Seward High School auditorium. It runs this weekend, April 11-13, with shows at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday followed by a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors. Children under 5 get in free.

For more information or to purchase tickets, find “Seward High School Theatre Collective” on Facebook or visit shstheatrecollective.weebly.com.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

Allison Phillips, part of the cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” rehearses on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Amara Ransom, part of the cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” rehearses on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

The cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” rehearse on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rebecca Brackin, part of the cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” rehearses on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

The cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” rehearse on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rebecca Brackin, part of the cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” rehearses on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

The cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” rehearse on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

The cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” appear for a photo on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

The cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” rehearse on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)