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    Theater Review

    Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical plays on nostalgia to sweet effect

    Alex Bentley
    Aug 23, 2019 | 12:20 pm
    Touring cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
    Charlie and the Chocolate Factory plays at Winspear Opera House through August 25.
    Photo by Jeremy Daniel

    At first blush, the existence of the musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory feels a lot like the existence of the all of the “live action” remakes of classic Disney animated films. The idea is interesting, but there’s no real need for it in the world given that there have been not one but two movies based on Roald Dahl’s book, both featuring versions of songs made famous by the first movie.

    It’s those songs that everyone is waiting for in the production (playing at Winspear Opera House through August 25), along with the ignominious fates of the various winners of Willy Wonka’s coveted Golden Ticket. But the musical, with book by David Grieg and music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, makes you wait for those moments, as most of its big scenes come in the second act of the show.

    The production does offer a few new aspects to differentiate itself from the films. Willy Wonka (Noah Weisberg) is introduced right away, disguising himself as the owner of a candy store. This leaves him in perfect position to witness the increasing despair of Charlie Bucket (played on opening night by Henry Boshart) as other kids around the world find Golden Tickets that will give them access to Wonka’s long-shuttered factory.

    Charlie, of course, does find a Golden Ticket and soon joins Veruca Salt (Jessica Cohen), Mike Teavee (Daniel Quadrino), Violet Beauregarde (Brynn Williams), and Augustus Gloop (Matt Wood) on the tour of Wonka’s factory. These scenes are mostly familiar except with the fate of Veruca, which hues close to Dahl’s original text, save for one gruesome change.

    The various story adjustments and clever production aspects keep things interesting. Instead of traditional sets, the production uses lighted walls full of graphics to create illusionary depth and interactive elements. The solution for making the tiny Oompa Loompas is arguably the best part of the show; when they make their entrance, it garners the audience’s loudest reaction.

    Because of the anticipation of the songs from the movies, few of the new songs make much of an impact. Each of the other Golden Ticket winners has both an entrance and exit song, but it’s the visuals in those scenes that matter more than the music. The sole song that does manage to break through is second act opener “Strike That, Reverse It,” mostly because it’s revisited on a couple of different occasions.

    It’s slightly odd, though not completely off-putting, that all of the Golden Ticket winners except for Charlie are played by adults. There have been plenty of other theater productions with multiple children in prominent roles, so it’s unclear why that couldn’t have been the case here. Still, Cohen, Williams, and Wood each play their respective roles well, hiding their maturity to at least appear childlike.

    The only role that truly matters is that of Willy Wonka, and Weisberg comes off relatively well. With two iconic performances to judge him against, it’s almost a no-win role, but he makes it his own. He never goes too wacky or too reserved, but his delivery of key lines makes up for this down-the middle approach.

    Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of those musicals where nostalgia plays the biggest part in its success. It’s not a production you’ll be talking about for weeks after you see it, but it gives the audience almost exactly what they came for, which is more than enough.

    theatermusic
    news/arts

    History on Display

    Landmark Nelson Mandela exhibition to kick off in Dallas during World Cup

    Alex Bentley
    Jan 7, 2026 | 1:09 pm
    Mandela: The Official Exhibition
    Photo courtesy of Lawrence Jenkins
    Mandela: The Official Exhibition will open at The African American Museum, Dallas on June 13.

    The African American Museum in Dallas will capitalize on an expected influx of global tourists by hosting Mandela: The Official Exhibition, opening on June 13 to coincide with the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    The exhibition will offer an attraction in Fair Park, which will also host a Fan Festival for the World Cup.

    The World Cup will take place June 11-July 19 in locations throughout North America. Nine World Cup games will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington between June 14 and July 14.

    Making its debut in Texas, Mandela: The Official Exhibition explores the life of late South African president Nelson Mandela, one of the world’s most recognizable champions of freedom and justice.

    Mandela also had strong ties to soccer, embracing the sport as a tool for unity and hope in post-apartheid South Africa. From organizing matches while imprisoned to championing the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Mandela demonstrated how soccer could bridge deep divisions.

    His appearance at the tournament’s closing match, when he donned South Africa’s national team jersey, became an enduring symbol of sport’s power to unite a nation and inspire the world. Mandela died in December 2013.

    “Nelson Mandela devoted his life to justice and to the fight against apartheid, enduring 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa’s first democratically elected president,” said Lisa Brown Ross, president and CEO of the African American Museum, Dallas, in a statement. “This exhibition tells the full arc of his life and affirms the Museum’s role as a vital cultural destination for North Texas and for visitors from around the world.”

    According to the release, the exhibition will span all four galleries and unfold through multisensory experiences, tracing Mandela’s extraordinary journey from his rural childhood in the Eastern Cape to his decades of resistance against apartheid and his election as South Africa’s first democratically elected president.

    His journey to becoming the “Father of South Africa” and a globally revered figure is presented in personal and revealing ways. Through his own reflections and stories shared by his family and those who knew him best, visitors will see Mandela - respectfully called Madiba - in a new light. Madiba is his Thembu clan name and is used as a sign of respect and affection.

    One gallery will be transformed into a fully immersive, multimedia environment that places visitors within defining chapters of Mandela’s life. Guests will encounter rarely seen films, photographs and personal artifacts on loan from the Mandela family, as well as museums and archives worldwide, illuminating the people, places and pivotal experiences that shaped one of the 20th century’s most remarkable leaders.

    The exhibition will remain on display through November 1. Admission to the museum is free, and it is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 am-5 pm and Saturdays from 10 am-5 pm, with special summer hours to be announced. Free self-parking is available in nearby lots.

    exhibitions-visual-artsgallerieshistorymuseumsnelson mandelasoccersportsworld cup
    news/arts

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