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Charlie and the chocolate factory show poster
Theatre in the Park OUTDOOR location 7710 Renner Road Shawnee Kansas

 


Production Photos by Connor Smalley

Charlie holding a gold wrapper from Wonka bar

2 actresses in squirrel head costumes

full company holding up candy bars

dancer in ballet outfit smiling and posing

Mike TV and his mom hugging

dancers in liederhosen in dancing pose

CHARLIE AND THE
CHOCOLATE FACTORY

June 13-21, 2025 - RATED PG

Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Book by David Greig
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Scott Wittman, Marc Shaiman


Willie Wonka singing to the audience


Willy Wonka—brilliant, mysterious, and possibly fueled by sugar—has vanished from public life. But rumors swirl: he's making a comeback and opening his legendary chocolate factory to five lucky kids. The key? A golden ticket tucked inside select Wonka Bars.

Enter Charlie Bucket, a bright, kind-hearted kid with big ideas and an empty wallet. He lives in a teeny house with his mom and four eccentric grandparents—all crammed into one bed like a human stack of pancakes. Charlie dreams of chocolate, invention, and maybe just one Wonka Bar a year. When he hears about the contest, his hopes soar… until he learns there’s no birthday bar this year. Bummer.

Charlie and his mother

Granparents sitting in bed reading newspapers

Meanwhile, golden tickets go to: Augustus Gloop, a food-powered German boy with zero brakes; Veruca Salt, a spoiled heiress who wants everything now (including a nut-sorting squirrel army); Violet Beauregarde, a gum-chewing social climber turned viral sensation; and Mike Teavee, a screen-addicted know-it-all. Just as Charlie’s dream seems lost, he stumbles on some cash, buys a bar—and boom! Golden ticket secured.

Charlie and Grandpa Joe head to the factory, where Wonka reveals a world of edible wonders, curious lessons, and an unusually enthusiastic workforce of Oompa Loompas. One by one, the other kids learn that bad behavior has consequences (and musical numbers). But Charlie? He listens. He cares. He gets it.

In the end, Wonka finds his true heir—not someone loud or lucky, but someone good. And the sweet reward? A future full of family, imagination, and chocolate.

Here's a little video preview!
 



young lady in blue track suit in dancing pose