June 29-July 16: The search is on for golden tickets in the Valley Players’ ‘Willy Wonka’

June 27, 2023  |  By Ruth Ann Pattee

The Golden Ticket winners and their parents meet Willy Wonka (played by Wes Olds, center) in the Valley Players' production of 'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka,' running June 29-July 16. Left to right: Charlotte Robinson, Naomi Niweiadomski, Jane Schaefer, Carrie Phillips, Wes Olds, Jordan Streeter, Camille Edgcomb, Stefanie Seng, and Tarin Askew. Photo by Wayne Fawbush

The Valley Players present the family-friendly musical “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka” from June 29 through July 16 at the Valley Players Theater in Waitsfield. 

Performances are scheduled for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, July 2 and 16, at 4 p.m. The Sunday, July 9, performance is a special sensory-friendly show at 2 p.m. sponsored in part by Washington County Mental Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont. That presentation will include adjustments made in consideration of audience members with various sensory sensitivities. (more on that below) 

The story of “Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka” follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats. The fifth is a likable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. 

The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory... or suffer the consequences. The musical is based on the classic book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder and new songs by Leslie Bricusse (“Jekyll & Hyde,” “Doctor Dolittle”) and Anthony Newley, “Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka” is a musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth.

In planning the summer production, the Valley Players sought to produce a family-friendly show that involves parents and their kids both in the musical and in the audience. 

The 21 local cast members and the production team members hail from many communities in the region as noted below. 

Charlie Bucket (played by Zane Demarias) opens a candy bar in search of a Golden Ticket while his parents (played by Matt Bellew and Cassandra Demarias) watch in the Valley Players production of 'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka,' playing weekends June 29-July 16 in Waitsfield. Photo by Bobby Kintz of Photos by Kintz

Leading the cast is Wes Olds (Graniteville) as Willy Wonka, Zane Demarais (Websterville) as Charlie Bucket, Clem Turmel (Milton) as Grandpa Joe, who accompanies Charlie on the factory tour, and Ashley Hall (Warren) as the Candy Man/Phineous Trout. 

The other golden ticket winners and their parents are Augustus Gloop, played by Jane Schaefer (Waitsfield) and Mrs. Gloop, played by Carrie Phillips (Waterbury); Veruca Salt, played by Camille Edgcomb (Warren) and Mr. Salt, played by Jordan Streeter (Montpelier); Violet Beauregarde, played by Naomi Niewiadomski (Waitsfield) and Mrs. Beauregarde, played by Charlotte Robinson (Warren); and Mike Teavee, played by Tarin Askew (Warren) and Mrs. Teevee, played by Stefanie Seng (Waterbury).

The other members of Charlie Bucket’s family are: Mr. Bucket, played by Matt Bellew (St. Albans); Mrs. Bucket, played by Cassandra Demarais (Websterville); Grandma Josephine, played by Joanne Puente (Worcester); Grandma Georgina, played by Marci Robinson (Warren); and Grandpa George, played by Joe Robinson (Warren). The Oompa Loompas who help to run Wonka’s factory are played by Tommy O’Grady (Waitsfield), Sunny Randall (Moretown), Ava Robinson (Warren), and Elizabeth Treacy (Fayston).

The Production Team for the show includes Artistic Director Ruth Ann Pattee (Fayston), Music Director/Conductor Michael Halloran (Barre), Stage Manager Joanne Puente (Worcester), Assistant Stage Manager Pam Chisholm (Duxbury), Set Designer Shannon Sanborn (Barre), Set Build Crew Chief Doug Bergstein (Warren), Lighting Designer Irene Halibozek (Williston), and Lighting Operator/Assistant Designer Jasper Mayone (Waitsfield).

Sensory-friendly performance July 9

The Oompa Loompas beg Willy Wonka (played by Wes Olds at right), not to retire in the Valley Players production of 'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka," on stage June 29-July 16. Photo by Bobby Kintz of Photos by Kintz

This presentation welcomes guests and their families who may require a different atmosphere to experience the joy of the theater. A sensory-friendly performance welcomes individuals with sensory needs, including people on the autism spectrum and families with very young children. 

The show is modified to allow for patron movement in the theater. Staff and actors are trained to accommodate patron needs, and all patrons are welcome to experience theater in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Ticket sales for the show are limited to half capacity in the theater.

Accommodations for this performance include:

Seating: To make this experience more comfortable, seating is in family groupings with extra space between groups. The total audience capacity will be less crowded than other shows in this run.

Break space: There will be an outdoor canopy/designated space for anyone who needs to take a break from the show as it is being performed. Attendees are free to be who they are and take breaks, entering or exiting the theater as needed throughout the show.

Devices: Communication devices are permitted.

Lights/sounds: House lights will be dimmed but not off. Intensity of sounds and lighting effects will be reduced.

Also: Audience members are encouraged to bring what they feel will help make their experience successful. This could include headphones, handheld fidgets, etc.

The Bucket Family celebrates Charlie finding a Golden Ticket in the Valley Players' production of 'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka,' playing June 29-July 16 in Waitsfield. Left to right: Joe Robinson, Marci Robinson, Joanne Puente, Clem Turmel, Matt Bellew, Zane Demarias, Cassandra Demarias. Photo by Wayne Fawbush

Tickets & more info 

Intrepid reporter Phineous Trout (played by Ashley Hall), center,  interviews Mrs. Gloop (Carrie Phillips) on left and Augustus Gloop (Jane Schaefer) on right in 'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka.’ Photo by Wayne Fawbush

“Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Tickets: $22 for adults, $18 for kids 12 and under and seniors 60 and over, with special pricing for the July 9 performance; available online in advance or at the door. 

Find more information and tickets online at valleyplayers.com. Direct any questions about the show to ruthann@valleyplayers.com. Find a Mad River Television interview with members of the production online on The Valley Players' YouTube channel.

Valley Players board member Ruth Ann Pattee serves as Artistic Director for “Willy Wonka” and as the membership and publicity coordinator for the nonprofit community theater group.