After acquiring the title in 2019, theatrical licensor Music Theatre International has now released the Broadway musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for licensing.
Based on the Dahl novel and its 1971 film adaptation, the musical features both songs from the movie musical (written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley) and new original songs by Hairspray writing team Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The work's book is by David Greig.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory follows Charlie Bucket, a young boy who is invited to tour Willy Wonka's world-famous chocolate factory after finding a special golden ticket in a chocolate bar. Together with four other golden ticket winners, Bucket tours Wonka's factory, complete with Oompa-Loompas, chocolate waterfalls, and confections galore.
This stage adaptation was first produced in the West End in 2013, opening in a reworked version on Broadway with Christian Borle starring as Willy Wonka in 2017. A national tour followed the Broadway run, along with productions in Australia, Italy, Norway, France, Brazil, and Japan.
“Over 10 years ago, Marc, Scott, and I were lucky enough to win our Golden Tickets and come to work in Willy Wonka’s astonishing chocolate factory,” says David Greig on behalf of the creative team in a statement. “Since then, we’ve had the privilege of seeing casts and audiences alike be delighted by Roald Dahl’s wicked grotesques and their contrast with the funny and loving Bucket Family. It’s a story about parenting, surviving poverty, and the simple power of being good. It’s also a story about chocolate. We love this story but it’s time for these Oompa Loompas to retire so we couldn’t be more thrilled to hand over our Golden Tickets and send them out into a whole wide world of actors, singers, makers, and musicians who will get the chance to bring their own pure imagination to this timeless story.”
“We are extremely excited to be making Charlie and the Chocolate Factory available for licensing to the many schools and community theatres who have been waiting patiently for their Golden Tickets,” adds MTI President and CEO Drew Cohen. “The creative team has done an exceptional, magical job adapting this classic story, and we can’t wait to see how theatrical organizations around the country bring the wit and charm of Roald Dahl’s beloved tale to life on their stages.”
For more information, visit MTIShows.com.
