Spring Break
Eye candy for all ages
Marie Williams
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: Features
Last Friday, the ECU Storybook Theater presented Roald Dahls' "Willy Wonka" at Wright Auditorium.
Patch Clark, the theater's director, made sure to steer clear of the most recent movie version of the story that featured actor Johnny Depp.
"We made a great effort to really stay away from the most recent version. The stage script itself is closer to the original book," said Clark.
The stage version featured a cast of 43 characters and several new songs, such as "Candy Man" and "Think Positive!"
"The songs are really fun and memorable," Clark said.
"Willy Wonka" opened to a sold-out auditorium full of children, teenagers, parents and grandparents.
"I brought my daughter because 'Willy Wonka' is her favorite and she loves the Oompa-Loompas," said local parent, Andy Hardmen.
Although the performance was open to the entire community, the purpose of the ECU Storybook Theater is to encourage reading skills among children.
"Storybook tries to promote great literature to kids to get them to start reading more," Clark said.
The crowd roared as Wonka stepped out from the audience, gradually made his way onto the stage and belted out the fan favorite, "Pure Imagination."
"I loved the story since I was younger, especially the Gene Wilder version," said Von Lewis, an ECU junior who played the title role. "The best part was being free on stage."
In this version of the classic tale, Wonka, himself narrates the story of Charlie Buckett and his encounter with the chocolate factory.
Clark hoped to promote the importance of optimism to the large audience.
"It's a very popular story and it's very timely because it's about a family losing their income and having hope. With the current budget crisis, it's a very hopeful story," Clark explained. "And everybody knows 'Willy Wonka' no matter what age [they are]."
With its upbeat songs, eye-catching dance routines and resourceful props, "Willy Wonka" hit home with the audience.
"Our biggest challenge was trying to recreate all the different rooms in the audience's imagination. But they stayed right with us," Clark said.
Audience members were given the chance to meet their favorite characters during a meet and greet session that was held immediately after the show.
"My favorite part is the meet and greet because the children are so excited," Clark said. "And it's a wonderful moment shared between the cast and crew and the audience."
This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.
Patch Clark, the theater's director, made sure to steer clear of the most recent movie version of the story that featured actor Johnny Depp.
"We made a great effort to really stay away from the most recent version. The stage script itself is closer to the original book," said Clark.
The stage version featured a cast of 43 characters and several new songs, such as "Candy Man" and "Think Positive!"
"The songs are really fun and memorable," Clark said.
"Willy Wonka" opened to a sold-out auditorium full of children, teenagers, parents and grandparents.
"I brought my daughter because 'Willy Wonka' is her favorite and she loves the Oompa-Loompas," said local parent, Andy Hardmen.
Although the performance was open to the entire community, the purpose of the ECU Storybook Theater is to encourage reading skills among children.
"Storybook tries to promote great literature to kids to get them to start reading more," Clark said.
The crowd roared as Wonka stepped out from the audience, gradually made his way onto the stage and belted out the fan favorite, "Pure Imagination."
"I loved the story since I was younger, especially the Gene Wilder version," said Von Lewis, an ECU junior who played the title role. "The best part was being free on stage."
In this version of the classic tale, Wonka, himself narrates the story of Charlie Buckett and his encounter with the chocolate factory.
Clark hoped to promote the importance of optimism to the large audience.
"It's a very popular story and it's very timely because it's about a family losing their income and having hope. With the current budget crisis, it's a very hopeful story," Clark explained. "And everybody knows 'Willy Wonka' no matter what age [they are]."
With its upbeat songs, eye-catching dance routines and resourceful props, "Willy Wonka" hit home with the audience.
"Our biggest challenge was trying to recreate all the different rooms in the audience's imagination. But they stayed right with us," Clark said.
Audience members were given the chance to meet their favorite characters during a meet and greet session that was held immediately after the show.
"My favorite part is the meet and greet because the children are so excited," Clark said. "And it's a wonderful moment shared between the cast and crew and the audience."
This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.
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