Get Your 'Golden Tickets' toWilly Wonka;
Wonka Dinner Presented After April 13 Show

In early February, excitement at the JCC was so thick it could be sliced, as roughly 80 kids auditioned for parts in the upcoming production of Willy Wonka, being presented by the JCC's Children, Youth and Camping Department. They came from all over - Bishop Hartley High School, Columbus School for Girls, Columbus Torah Academy, and the Columbus Jewish Day School in Columbus; The Wellington School in Upper Arlington; and Bexley, Gahanna, and New Albany schools.

For weeks now, these children - being driven to rehearsals from all over the city by their very patient parents and friends - have been hard at work. Whether they're a Singing Chef, Dancing Squirrel or Oompa Loompa, Wonka, a Golden Ticket Winner, or the Bucket family, the kids have been rehearsing three times a week since mid-February.

And now, the curtain is about to rise on Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir as it comes to life in this stage adaptation of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, which features the songs from the classic family film Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory. Favorite characters and songs (including "The Candy Man" and "Pure Imagination") are featured in this show that overflows with music, comedy and heart.

In the title role, 13-year-old David Edgar plays Willy Wonka, alongside 11-year-old Hannah Rossio, who plays Charlie. Noah Portman, 13, fresh from his appearance as "Shlimazel" in the Gallery Players' production of Mazel and Shlimazel, plays the ever-youthful "Grandpa Joe" as he accompanies Charlie on the famous tour of Wonka's factory. Rounding out the group of kids who have won a Golden Ticket to tour the factory are: Aaron Abramowitz, 10, as Augustus Gloop; Caleb Litz-Oglesby, 10, as Mike Teavee; Eliya Smith, 10, as Veruca Salt; and Julia Applefeld, 11, as Violet Beauregard.

The production is directed by Eileen Howard, who most recently appeared in and won a Theatre Roundtable award for the Gallery Players' production of Jerry's Girls. Funding for this program is made possible with support from The Columbus Jewish Foundation.

Showtimes for Willy Wonka are:

• April 10, 7 p.m.
• April 11, 10:30 a.m.
• April 13, 1 and 5 p.m.

General Admission tickets are $10 per ticket for adult and children ages 13 and older, and $5 per ticket for children ages 12 and under.

Hurry! Tickets are going fast! To purchase tickets, call the JCC at (614) 231-2731.

Have a 'Scrumdillyicious' Dinner After The Show!

Chef Tony Robertson is planning a Wonka-worthy dinner after the 5 p.m. performance on Sunday, April 13, in the JCC's Schottenstein room.

On the menu are Veggie and Cheese Pizzas, Mixed Green Salad, Fresh Fruit, Lemonade or Iced Tea - and a Candy Pizza Bar to top it all off!

Cost is $8 for adults, and $4 for children under 8. Reservations are requested by contacting Tina Rice at (614) 559-6276.