7th and 8th graders from Susan Clark Junior High School and Ss Mary and Mathias Catholic School are gearing up for 3 days of performances for their annual musical. This year, more than 30 kids are coming together to perform Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. The shows will be on Friday, Feb. 6th at 7 pm, Saturday, Feb. 7th at 7 pm, and Sunday, Feb. 8th at 1 pm at the newly renovated Muscatine Center for the Performing Arts at 901 Cedar St.
The annual Susan Clark Junior High musical is an annual tradition exposing kids to the dramatic arts. Tickets are on sale both at booktix.com and at the door. The production features local talent from both Susan Clark Junior High and Saints Mary and Mathias Catholic School. This adapted version of “Willy Wonka” is suited for growing performers and contains many elements of the full stage version.
Joel Kraushaar and Dr. Eric Field are the directors of the musical this year. Joel stopped in to talk to Connor Kenney during MC Mornings about the musical and why the community should come and support these talented kids. Hear the full interview below:
About the show:
Based on the Book written by Roald Dahl
Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley , and a book by Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald
In Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR., a world-famous reclusive candy man named Willy Wonka announces that he will offer the tour of the lifetime through his secret chocolate factory to five children who find a golden ticket in one of his world-famous candy bars. One ticket-holder will also win a lifetime supply of chocolate. Against all odds, an impoverished but sweet-natured boy named Charlie Bucket wins a golden ticket. He and his fellow tour members — the spoiled-rotten Veruca Salt, gluttonous Augustus Gloop, gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde and television junkie Mike Teavee — spend a day traveling with the mysterious and marvelous Willy Wonka and his crew of Oompa Loompas through the fantastical factory. The children encounter marvelous sights and tastes along the way, including giant nut-selecting squirrels, fizzy lifting drinks, Everlasting Gobstoppers, and a chocolate river. But each stop proves to be a test, as only one can go on to win the Wonka prize.
