"Willy Wonka Jr." Play Needs Kids

Willy Wonka is an enigmatic character; at once mysterious and mischievous but also charismatic. There are a number of directions to take with Wonka, ranging from Gene Wilder's version in the original film, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, to Johnny Depp's portrayal in the recent film, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, and everything in between. The actor should be able to be funny and serious and change between the two on a dime. Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: G3

Charlie Bucket is the emotional heart and soul of the musical. The actor performing Charlie should have an unchanged voice and lots of pluck and enthusiasm. Charlie is in nearly every scene, so make sure you select an actor who can handle the demands of a sizable role. Charlie should be a great singer, excellent actor, and hopefully reads as younger onstage. Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: A3

Grandpa Joe is the grandfather we all wish we had when we were Charlie's age. He is caring, patient, sweet, and always reminds Charlie to look on the bright side. Cast an actor who can be kind, funny, and makes a great duo with Charlie. The role sings a bit, but the singing is secondary to the actor's solid acting skills. Vocal range top: Eb5 Vocal range bottom: Bb3

This is a great role for a young person who has a nice voice, and is a natural nurturer. Mr. Bucket performs the number "Think Positive" with Charlie. Mr. Bucket can double as an Oompa-Loompa in the second half of the show. Vocal range top: C#5 Vocal range bottom: D4

This is a great role for a young person who has a nice voice, and is a natural nurturer. Mrs. Bucket sings "Cheer Up, Charlie" with Mr. Bucket and Grandpa Joe. Mrs. Bucket can double as an Oompa-Loompa in the second half of the show. Vocal range top: Db5 Vocal range bottom: Bb3

Candy Man Kids sing "The Candy Man," and their numbers may be expanded to include as many performers as you see fit and your program will allow. The names of the characters have been drawn from other Roald Dahl books. Feel free to assign additional names to match the number of performers you cast, like Sophie, Danny, Alfie, and Billy, for example. (All students like to go home and exclaim, "I'm playing Alfie in Willy Wonka JR." versus "I'm Kid 2 in 'The Candy Man.'")

Charlie's three grandparents are mainly non-singing character roles. Cast performers that are innately interesting, who have good comic timing and are solid actors. These actors can double as Oompa-Loompas in the second half of the show.

Charlie's three grandparents are mainly non-singing character roles. Cast performers that are innately interesting, who have good comic timing and are solid actors. These actors can double as Oompa-Loompas in the second half of the show.

Charlie's three grandparents are mainly non-singing character roles. Cast performers that are innately interesting, who have good comic timing and are solid actors. These actors can double as Oompa-Loompas in the second half of the show.

Phineous is the reporter who announces the winners of the Golden Ticket contest throughout the show. The role requires some singing, so cast a boy or a girl with a great announcer's voice and good stage presence. Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: B3

The Oompa-Loompa Chorus, including Oompa-Loompas 1-5, can be as small as a handful of performers or as large as your stage and theater can accommodate. Consider casting your youngest performers as Oompa-Loompas (like the sixth grade chorus) and augment them with a handful of older students who can take the lead and serve as Oompa-Loompa wranglers. Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: A3

Mrs. Gloop is Augustus' mother who has overindulged her son with food. She accompanies Augustus on the tour of the factory, and sings "I Eat More!" which is one of the more difficult songs in the score for young people. The role requires a character actress who isn't afraid to take positive risks both in her acting and her singing. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: B3

Mrs. Beauregard is a teacher of geography and has invested a great deal of hard-earned money on therapy for her gum-chewing daughter, with less than stellar results. The role is virtually non-singing. Her accent should match Violet's and the two should make a good pair onstage. Vocal range top: G4 Vocal range bottom: C4

Mr. Salt's solution to most problems is to buy his way out. He is upper class, and usually portrayed with a high British accent. (But this accent is not necessary-just make sure Veruca and Mr. Salt sound like they hail from the same place.) He sings very little. A female actress playing male may also play the role. Vocal range top: G4 Vocal range bottom: C4

Gum chewer extraordinaire, Violet hails from Snellville, Georgia, so it's nice if she has a Southern American accent, but not necessary. Violet should stand in stark contrast to Veruca Salt. Veruca is a wealthy refined brat; Violet is more of a blue collar, middle class brat. She sings "Chew It" along with Willy Wonka. The song is a tour-de-force for the right voice, so cast a young lady with a strong voice. Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: G3

For this adaptation Mike is not just a TV junky. He is also addicted to video games, the Internet and any other mind-numbing technological device. Mike is bratty, loud and obnoxious. He does not understand the word "no." Mike and Ms. Teavee sing "I See It All On TV" so he should be a reasonable singer, but does not need to be phenomenal. Mike could also be portrayed by a girl playing a boy, but generally works best with a male actor. Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: G3

James is Charlie's friend from school. He has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with Matilda and Charlie. This is a great role for a performer who is newer to the stage. Vocal range top: F#4 Vocal range bottom: A3

Please note this is an optional chorus. The Cooks appear during "I Eat More!" presenting Augustus with a smorgasbord of food choices. (Check out the Director's Guide note in the song for more information.) Double the Candy Man Kids Chorus and Oompa-Loompa Chorus or cast a single class of kids to perform this section.

Augustus is the overachieving eater. Be extremely sensitive in casting this role as it is tempting to cast an overweight young person and that can be scarring-especially if the child struggles with this issue. Consider casting a thin child and creating the illusion of size via the costume. Either a boy or a girl acting like a boy can play Augustus. Augustus sings "I Eat More!" along with his mother and Phineous Trout. Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: B3

Ms. Teavee is a take on all television moms of the distant past. Think June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) or Marion Cunningham (Happy Days) or even Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch). She's perfectly put together and a bit vacant. She sings "I See It All On TV" but does not require a polished voice. Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: B3

Veruca is wealthy, class-conscious, and completely spoiled. She is often portrayed with a high British accent that is by no means required (brats come in all nationalities). Veruca's solo number "I Want It Now" is deceptively tricky and comes late in the show, so select a young lady with a strong voice. Veruca should contrast sharply with Violet Beauregarde in terms of look and physical type. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: A3

Matilda is also a schoolmate of Charlie's, but she's a bit of a bully. Matilda has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with James and Charlie. Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: C#4

The squirrels are non-speaking, non-singing roles and you can cast as many as necessary. This is a great part for beginning actors.

Mrs. Beauregard is a teacher of geography and has invested a great deal of hard-earned money on therapy for her gum-chewing daughter, with less than stellar results. The role is virtually non-singing. Her accent should match Violet's and the two should make a good pair onstage. Vocal range top: G4 Vocal range bottom: C4