Students perform Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

March 23, 2011

Try to picture 35 students from Mayfield Elementary School dressed up like Oompa Loompas.

No, they’re not celebrating an early Halloween; they’re taking part in the Mayfield Drama Club’s stage presentation of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The show, directed by Jennifer Horne, features more than 100 students.

“This hasn’t been performed in this area before,” said Mrs. Horne. “The play has a lot of featured parts and it gives a lot of students a chance to be in the spotlight.”

Based on the novel by Roald Dahl and first brought to life on screen by Gene Wilder, Willy Wonka is a story that has captured the hearts of children and adults alike through the years.

The cast is led by Thomas McClellan as the quirky Willy Wonka and newcomer Thomas Pawloski as the optimistic Charlie Bucket. The show is filled with the lovable characters that comprise the Bucket family featuring Ryan Bumpus as Mr. Bucket, Kiera Davis as Mrs. Bucket, Corey Buckley as Grandpa Joe, Emily Frasier as Grandma Josephine, Joe Tourville as Grandpa George, and Bailey Ward as Grandma Georgina.

Also showcased is: Aaron Tubbs as Augustus Gloop, Marie Rist as Mrs. Gloop, Rachel Rochet as Veruca Salt, Colt Duppen as Mr. Salt, Olivia Hime as Violet Beauregarde, Allison Brancato as Mrs. Beauregarde, Cody Horowitz as Mike Teavee, Nikki Quant as Ms. Teavee. Newcomers Thomas Steele and Kayla Thompson join veterans Mara Chupka and Ali Nares in supporting the cast.

Nicholas Anker is the musical and technical director, and the student directors are Caitlyn Denton and Colleen Chupka.

The students perform the play at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday in the high school auditorium. Call 661-8200 during school hours to reserve tickets.