Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR
Words and Music by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley
Adapted for the Stage by Leslie Bricusse & Timothy A. McDonald
Based on the Book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Directed By Shannon Santandrea
The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth.
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever 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, but the fifth is a likeable 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.
REGISTRATION OPENS November 2025
Registration will be open to ages 4-12
NEEDED FOR REGISTRATION
** If you have previously registered for one of our productions using our registration system most of your information will be in the system.
- Actor information (name, birthdate, allergies/medical conditions, t-shirt size)
- Email contact for at least one family member. Please be ready to provide email address for any family member that will want cast updates.
- Rehearsal Availability – which day(s) actor is available/unavailable for rehearsal and specific conflict dates for days where actor is available but has a conflict.
- NO CONFLICTS ALLOWED DURING TECH / SHOW WEEK
VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION HOURS
For each participating cast member, 15 hours of adult volunteer work is required (25 hours for two cast members/35 hours for three).
If unable to fulfill hours of participation, a buyout option is available at the time of registration. Late buyout payments will have a 20% late fee added on.
Information on Job Choices will be communicated to registered participants when it becomes available.
AUDITION DATES AND REQUIREMENTS
Open to Ages 4 – 12
All auditions will be held in person at the Historic Hoover Theater studios.
Video auditions will be accepted on a case by case basis.
Auditions will be one hour slots in small groups.
AUDITION DATES:
March 2-5, 2026 in one hour slots, time TBA
HOW TO AUDITION
In general, actors should arrive prepared for a group audition with at least 16 bars of a musical theater song that shows off their voice memorized and ready to sing.
They should expect to do some cold reading from the script and possibly some other acting exercises. They should come in comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement.
REHEARSALS:
Begin March 16, 2026
ALL conflicts (standing appointments, trips, etc.) need to be identified on the required supplemental registration form. A full rehearsal schedule will be provided after casting that will tell which actors are rehearsing on what day. Casting will affect TECH WEEK REHEARSAL DAYS – please check this details as all actors must be available all days of tech week.
Homeschool Cast (A) rehearses:
Mondays & Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm (POSSIBLY some Saturdays 1:00-5:00pm)
M/W Cast (C) rehearses:
Mondays & Wednesdays from 4:00-6:30pm PLUS Saturdays 1:00-5:00pm
Tu/Th Casts (B & D) rehearse:
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:00-6:30pm PLUS Saturdays 1:00-5:00pm
ALL participants must be available every day of tech week for their cast
TECH WEEK REHEARSALS (MANDATORY) are as follows:
Homeschool (M/W) Cast A
Monday, May 11 from 4:00-8:00 pm *TECH/DRESS REHEARSAL
Wednesday, May 13 from 4:00-8:00 pm *TECH/DRESS REHEARSAL
Tu/Th Cast B
Tuesday, May 12 from 4:00-8:00 pm *TECH/DRESS REHEARSAL
Thursday, May 14 from 4:00-8:00 pm *TECH/DRESS REHEARSAL
M/W Cast C
Monday, May 18 from 4:00-8:00 pm *TECH/DRESS REHEARSAL
Wednesday, May 20 from 4:00-8:00 pm *TECH/DRESS REHEARSAL
Tu/Th Cast D
Tuesday, May 19 from 4:00-8:00 pm *TECH/DRESS REHEARSAL
Thursday, May 21 from 4:00-8:00 pm *TECH/DRESS REHEARSAL
Please Note: Time of tech rehearsals may change and will be confirmed once production begins.
PERFORMANCES:
May 15-24, 2026
Cast A (Homeschool M/W)
Friday 5/15 at 7:00 pm
Saturday 5/16 at 3:00 pm
Sunday 5/17 at 11:00 am
Cast B (Tu/Th)
Saturday 5/16 at 11:00 am
Saturday 5/16 at 7:00 pm
Sunday 5/17 at 3:00 pm
Cast C (M/W)
Friday 5/22 at 7:00 pm
Saturday 5/23 at 3:00 pm
Sunday 5/24 at 11:00 am
Cast D (Tu/Th)
Saturday 5/23 at 11:00 am
Saturday 5/23 at 7:00 pm
Sunday 5/24 at 3:00 pm
VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION HOURS
For each participating cast member, 15 hours of adult volunteer work is required (25 hours for two cast members/35 hours for three).
If unable to fulfill hours of participation, a buyout option is available at the time of registration. Late buyout payments will have a 20% late fee added on.
Information on Job Choices will be communicated to registered participants when it becomes available.
IMPORTANT DATES
November 2025: Registration opens
March 2-5, 2026: Auditions
March 16, 2026: Rehearsals begin
May 11, 2026: Load in to Theater
May 11-14, 2025 : Tech Rehearsals (MANDATORY) – Casts A & B
May 18-21, 2025 : Tech Rehearsals (MANDATORY) – Casts C & D
May 15, 2026: Opening Performances!
May 24, 2026: Closing Performances & Strike
WILLY WONKA JR.
is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI
www.MTIShows.com