‘Choc-full’ of lessons and connections in ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’
Beyond the visual spectacle, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory offers genuine connections that kids and kids at heart alike will find in its characters at The Theatre at Solaire this July.
“There are so many lessons also in the show,” Karylle said during the media call. “It’s not just like all about the colors and all the chocolate and candy… It’s timely because we should never ever forget to dream.”
Adding to that, Giselle Amarisa Watts, who plays Violet Beauregarde, shares a lesson the show may impart: that humility coupled with imagination takes one further than they could ever hope for.
For Oliver Wong, who alternates as Charlie, he says that being nice makes things easier, noting that his character is exactly like that and perhaps the reason why he eventually gets the Golden Ticket that sets things in motion for him to visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.
First encounters
For Cohen Toukatly, the other young actor alternating as Charlie Bucket, he shares that his first encounter with the story was also the book but adds that his favorite iteration is the one from Tim Burton. Meanwhile, Wong shares that it was the original film that stars Gene Wilder that he fell in love with and that got him into the book a couple of years later.
Both child actors also revealed that this was not their first time playing Charlie, having previously portrayed the role in their respective community theater productions.
The very first time Karylle learned of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was because of her best friend who always had the book with her during their sleepovers as kids. Now, she’s joining the Manila leg of this tour as the titular character’s mom.
Mrs. Bucket, she says, is a superwoman who has to teach Charlie the harsh realities of life. “That’s love, you have to prepare them for the world,” Karylle said. “But also keep the balance of (not killing) their dreams and what makes them special. It’s a balancing act, she does it a bit with the tightrope walk.”
Where the impossible becomes possible
Based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory premiered in London’s West End, where it won two Olivier Awards, before making its Broadway debut in 2017, where it ran for 300 performances.
“Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a dazzling fantasy for everyone from everywhere. This new production features miraculous special effects and cutting edge hologauze 3D technology based on advanced magic principles. We are so excited to share the breathtaking world of this beloved Broadway musical about the power of imagination, and the art of invention with Manila audiences in this spectacular new immersive production from an all-Broadway creative team,” Simone Genatt and Marc Routh, Producers and Co-Owners of Broadway International Group and Broadway Asia said in a joint statement.
Leading the Manila cast is Michael Dalke as the enigmatic Willy Wonka, with Oliver Wong and Cohen Toukatly alternating in the role of Charlie Bucket, Karylle as Mrs. Bucket, Michael Biren as Grandpa Joe, Sam Nackman as Augustus Gloop, Allison Gann as Veruca Salt, Giselle Amarisa Watts as Violet Beauregarde, and DJ Plunkett as Mike Teavee. Completing the cast are Jorie Janeway as Mrs. Gloop, Brandon Grimes as Mr. Salt, Darren Lorenzo as Mr. Beauregarde, and Kelly Brandeburg as Mrs. Teavee.
Helping turn the stage into an immersive experience is Las Vegas magic and illusion designer Tim Clothier. “Willy Wonka is the king of imagination, and being able to design new stage wizardry for that character is a dream come true,” said Clothier.
The musical features iconic songs from the classic 1971 film, including “Pure Imagination,” “The Candy Man,” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” along with original music by Grammy and Tony Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Mary Poppins Returns).
Presented by Broadway International Group and Broadway Asia, in association with AMA Group of Companies and GMG Productions, and the special participation of Auro Chocolate, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is currently running at The Theatre at Solaire until July 26, 2026.
“This is the sweetest, most creative chocolate that you should taste… we need a little sweetness in our life right now,” Karylle said.
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