Big Sets, Bigger Magic: Inside the Global Tour of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’
When Charlie and the Chocolate Factory arrives in Manila this July 2026, it does so as part of a large-scale global tour—a production designed to travel the world while delivering spectacle, illusion, and storytelling on a grand theatrical scale.
Starring Daniel Plimpton as the enigmatic Willy Wonka and Cohen Toukatly as Charlie Bucket, the touring musical is overseen by Resident Director Drew Cipillone, who describes the show as the latest evolution of a story that has moved from page to screen and now, fully, into live theater.
From Page and Screen to a Global Stage
For Cipillone, the longevity of Roald Dahl’s story lies in how powerfully it sparks the imagination. “The original source material by Roald Dahl in print really enabled us to use our imagination from page to mind. Then we had adaptations in film as well. And now we’ve got this amazing adaptation in live theater.”
He explains that this production leans heavily into innovation—featuring new technology, expanded set design, and music that blends the familiar with the new. The score includes select songs associated with the 2005 film starring Johnny Depp and Freddie Highmore, alongside a new musical landscape and an increased emphasis on theatrical magic.
While the production is modeled on the Broadway version originally directed by Jack O’Brien in 2017—and has since been mounted across several national tours—Cipillone notes that every remount brings refinement.
Each iteration, he says, becomes “a little bit different and a little bit better.”
Spectacle and Magic
One of the most significant developments in this touring production is its approach to magic and illusion.
To bring this to life, the creative team partnered with illusion designer Tim Clothier and his Las Vegas–based company, the Illusions Project, known for its work on major Vegas shows and Broadway productions.
“We actually flew to Vegas and learned magic and illusion and then brought it into this production,” Cipillone shares. “We taught the actors and the crew members how to work this, and it is phenomenal.”
Cipillone adds that audiences can expect spectacle pushed to a higher level.
“The Filipino audiences are very familiar with spectacle and big technical elements, and I think our production picks up the antics just one notch higher. The illusions that we’ve got in this production, we not only have the magic, but we also have incredible illusions created by LED screens. There’s projection and mapping within the auditorium, so it actually creates a very unique and immersive feel.”
The result is a theatrical experience that actively draws the audience in.
“You actually feel like you’re a part of it,” he says. “There are moments—if you’re in premium seats—where you can quite literally get off your seat and touch a bubble. It’s real, pure imagination using innovative technology. In terms of spectacle and scale: bigger, better, and wonderful. I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised.”
A Story for Kids, Adults, and Everyone in Between
Plimpton emphasizes that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory speaks differently to every generation. “Kids will love seeing themselves in Charlie. Adults will see aspects of themselves in Willy Wonka,” he says. “It really gives you a chance to reflect on your own childhood dreams and what you want the world to be.”
Cipillone echoes this, noting that even younger audiences who may not fully grasp the story’s moral lessons will still be swept up by the experience.
“It is pure imagination and fantastical storytelling,” he says. “They’re going to love the musical because of all the color, the music, and the choreography.”
For adults, he adds, the show serves as a reminder of childhood creativity and invention.
“There’s something for everyone—whether that’s a moral message or pure entertainment.”
Dancing Through Wonka’s World with Variety and Style
Plimpton, who has a strong dance background, also highlights the show’s wide choreographic range.
“Each kid has their own style of what kind of dance they do,” he explains. “I come into this with a strong tap dance background, so we got to throw a little bit of that into the show—which has never been in the show before.”
Audiences can expect everything from hip-hop to Bavarian-Austrian-German slap dancing, alongside classic Broadway-style numbers.
“You really get to see a huge variety of choreography,” he says, crediting choreographer Joshua Bergasse. “I think it’s actually one of the most exciting parts of the show.”
A Timeless Moral Wrapped in Candy
Beneath the candy-colored spectacle lies the story’s enduring message. “It is an incredible reminder that while things can be very shiny—we have the metaphor of the chocolate factory for that—we need to maintain our groundedness and our hope for humanity,” Plimpton says.
Nearly every character except Charlie is tested by greed, gluttony, or ego. “They are rewarded for it,” he adds. “Let’s just say that.”
Cipillone underscores the story’s continued relevance.
“What the story ultimately tells us is to be kind and to love each other,” he says. “If you want to be treated a certain way, then you should be treating people the same way. Actions have consequences.”
A Sweet Surprise for Filipino Audiences
While the production remains consistent across tour stops, Cipillone explains that there is room for flexibility.
We don’t change the production, but there are certain moments that we can ad-lib, or we’ll do surtitles–not that language barrier is a problem here– but we do change certain things to make sure that it is culturally acceptable in that country that we are. So we like to change it up a little bit, have a bit of fun,” says Cipillone.
Plimpton reveals that one such moment includes a special treat for Filipino audiences, when Willy Wonka unexpectedly sings a Filipino song.
During the media call, members of the press suggested Bongga Ka Day, Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw, and Spaghetti, with choreography, alongside the song Plimpton had initially planned to learn, Anak.
To this, he says: “I won’t let you down.”
@theaterfansmnl Metro Manila… flip it around… Willy Wonka! 🍭 The global touring production of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ comes to The Theatre at Solaire from July 8 to 26, 2026. @GMG Productions @coco #CharlieAndTheChocolateFactoryPH #theaterkid #theatertok #theaterph #philippinetheater ♬ original sound – TheaterFansManila.com
With original direction by four-time Tony Award–winning director Jack O’Brien and original choreography by Joshua Bergasse, the global tour features direction by Matt Lenz, choreography by Alison Solomon, and musical supervision by Nate Patten and Greg Jarrett. The production is supported by an award-winning Broadway creative, design, and production team, including Mark Thompson for set and costume design, Christine Peters for tour scenic design, Jeff Sugg for projections, Rory Beaton for lighting, Mike Thacker for Orbital Sound for sound design, Basil Twist for puppet design, and Tim Clothier for illusions. Orchestrations are by Doug Besterman, with musical arrangements by Marc Shaiman. Casting is by Paul Hardt Casting. Joseph Longthorne serves as General Manager, with Tayn Yeo as Associate Manager for Broadway Asia International. GMG serves as Manila General Manager.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory runs at The Theatre at Solaire in Manila from July 8 to 26, 2026.
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