Theater Review: 'Willy Wonka Jr.' by the Bethany Spartan Players

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Patch Contributor Nancy Sasso Janis

The Bethany Spartan Players have taken on Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr.” The middle school performers will present this fanciful production this weekend on the stage of their campus in Bethany. I was honored to be invited to attend the final dress rehearsal for my review of this production featuring some 40 students onstage and 30 behind the scenes.

Willy Wonka Jr. contains the delightful music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. It was adapted for the stage by Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald and is of course based upon the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl.

Digital Media Teacher Ms. Amy Benton directed the high energy middle school students. Dr. Keith Smolinski, a science teacher at the middle school, was her co-director and did double duty as musical director. “Dr. Smo,” a talented pianist and local choir director, ensured that the students sang well with recorded musical tracks and provided many charming sound effects. The cast was very fortunate to have him cover many of the lengthy transitions with live piano music.

Dr. Smo writes in his End Notes: “When we chose this show, we anticipated the challenge to bring these beloved characters to life but the students have risen to the occasion and performed exceptionally well.” It is even more impressive that the students were in rehearsal for three months and only were able to get on the actual stage in the gym on Monday.

The co-director notes that this musical “follows the enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious Wonka bars. The golden ticket prize is a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a kind young lad from an impoverished family down on their luck, named Charlie Bucket.” Charlie gets to take the factory tour with his devoted Grandpa Joe, during which the children and their parents must learn to follow Wonka’s rules, or suffer the consequences. Audiences will delight in the factory tour that makes up the second act.

Lucius Edwards (pictured above) tackles the mysterious title role with a great singing voice and wonderful stage presence in his purple top hat and coat. He often makes an entrance from the front row, which will no doubt charm those in the front of the audience. Charlie Bryant sings the role of the candy vendor Candyman, arriving onstage aboard a large tricycle.

Maximus Canul (pictured above) fully embodies the role of the optimistic Charlie Bucket with an amazing singing voice. This young performer already possesses the strong stage presence that will bring him far.

Arovet Vouras is strong in the role of the amiable Grandpa Joe, with Caitlyn Starkey as Grandma Josephina, Shelby Winter as Grandpa George, and Katerina Borrego as the hard-of-hearing Grandma Georgina. Flynn Gianfredi plays Charlie’s nurturing father, a toothpaste factory worker, and Lucy Meacham portrays his loving mother.

Nyx Smith portrays the rotund Augustus Gloop with the appropriate accent and Sarah Caldwell is his overindulgent mother Mrs. Gloop. Nolan Krinsky is the obnoxious, television-obsessed Mike Teavee and Sarah Lestinsky plays the clueless Ms. Teavee. Rylee Maxwell does well with the role of the demanding Veruca Salt (pictured below with squirrels) and Ivy Somma is her wealthy father Mr. Salt. Nita Sudhir tackles the blueberry role of Violet Beauregarde (pictured above in the center) with a great singing voice and Grace McAnnally-Linz attends her as Mrs. Beauregarde (above at left.) Lydia Caldwell stands out in the role of the reporter Phineous Trout. Vincent Bruni and Bradley Schroeder keep track of everything as stage managers.

Killian Brand doubles as James and an Oompa Loompa and Beatrix Moore doubles as Matilda and an Oompa Loompa.

Shout-outs to all talented middle school students that take on the roles of Candy Kids, Oompa Loompa trio dancers and workers, and squirrels in spot-on costumes. I loved the Oompa Loompa antics that came to the audience level during the longest backstage transitions.

The well-rehearsed choreography was designed by Ms. Eileen Jaworowicz and added a great touch to some of the production numbers, especially the four “Oompa Loompa" songs. Mr. Matt Benton has designed the ever-changing set for the various scenes, which includes the gates to the Wonka factory and its intricate rooms, a roll-in Bucket home, and much more. Mr. Benton succeeded in every way.

The director has done an admirable job at assembling the colorful costumes and a huge array of colorful, candy-themed props. Don’t miss the green Oompa wigs and berets, the round skirts on the Candy Kids, and bubble machines. There are also light up signs above the stage that keep track of the surviving brats and some good projections. These elements raised the production to another level.

Social Studies Teacher Mrs. Marissa Nall returned to her role as the show’s producer, with Music Teacher Mr. Robert Fragione was in charge of a whopping 29 body mics in his role as sound director and Don Rowe worked as lighting designer. Both of these elements worked almost flawlessly at the dress rehearsal.

There will be an actual Golden Ticket raffle for a chance to win a voucher to the exciting Amity Creative Theater Summer Camp 2026. I have been invited to attend a few of the concluding performances by the campers and I have always wished that I could take part in this summer camp at Amity Regional High School under the direction of Rob Kennedy. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and concessions for sale in the lobby.

The ad-filled printed program includes special thanks to Art Teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Smolinski, and PTO, Central Office and admin, all the parents and family members and me! The parent committees include set building, (extensive and beautiful) lobby decoration, photos and headshots (including Mr. Krinsky who shared his work with me,) hospitality, cast party, publicity, concessions, ticket sales, house parents and costume assistants.

The Bethany Spartan Players are supported by their headlining sponsor, the extremely generous Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation. Dr. Smo credits the foundation with playing “a pivotal role in transforming our program, and we owe our success to their unwavering support.” “Have Fun … Dream Big.”

“Willy Wonka, Jr.” will be performed on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m. and on Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. The performance runs approximately 70 minutes and will include one intermission. Be sure to stay long enough to enjoy “I Want Candy.” Amity Middle School Bethany is located at 190 Luke Hill Road, Bethany, CT 06524

Tickets will also be sold at the door (cash or check only). Prices per ticket: $16/adult, $12/student K-12. Children 5 and under are free. Buy Tickets