Pantochino Teen Theatre presents "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"

Pantochino Teen Theatre is thrilled to present the Broadway musical, “Roald

Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at Arts Hall at the Educational

Center for the Arts, on 55 Audubon Street in New Haven. Co-producers Bert

Bernardi and Jimmy Johansmeyer have announced three performances,

August 9 and 10.

Based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl, this new production features an original

score composed by Marc Shaiman with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray)

and a book by David Greig. The score also pays homage to the Leslie Bricusse/Anthony

Newley score from the 1971 film with songs from the motion picture including "Candy

Man," "Oompa Loompa Song," and "Pure Imagination." The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory but only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination.

“We’re delighted to give our young actors the opportunity to portray a host

of familiar, classic characters from the novel and movies and we know

audiences of all ages will marvel at the talents of these young performers,”

said director Bernardi. The cast includes forty-three actors from Milford,

Branford, Stratford, Trumbull, Orange, Woodbridge, East Haven, West Haven,

Shelton, Oxford, Ansonia, Seymour, Monroe, Killingworth, and Bethany.

“Raold Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is sponsored by The Milford

Bank and The Devon Rotary with addition support from CT Humanities, the

Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Office of

the Arts and The Community Foundation of Greater New Haven. Pantochino’s

season is sponsored by the City of Milford and Dennis Beirne of William Pitt

Sotheby’s International Realty. The musical is produced through special

arrangements with Music Theatre International of New York City.

Pantochino Teen Theatre allows young actors the opportunity to work with

professional directors and designers outside the academic setting, on a

schedule matching that of professional summer theater. The production has

been cast, learned and rehearsed in an immersive ten rehearsals. Bernardi

directs the show with Justin Rugg as musical director and Becki Arena,

choreographer.

Performances are Friday, August 9 at 7:30pm and Saturday August 10 at 2 and

5:30pm. Information and tickets are available at www.pantochino.com