ABOUT THE SHOW:

The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka KIDS is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth.

Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka KIDS follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win 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 likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences.

Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka KIDS has a flexible cast size with many featured and ensemble roles, including the singing and dancing Oompa-Loompas.

LIST OF CHARACTERS:

Grandma Josephina
Grandma Josephina is one of Charlie’s quirky grandparents. The grandparents are primarily comic acting roles and work best when cast with performers who naturally bring personality and strong timing to the stage. These roles may double as Oompa-Loompas later in the show.
Gender: Female

Grandma Georgina
Grandma Georgina is another of Charlie’s grandparents and should feel warm, eccentric, and memorable. Strong comic acting is more important than singing for this role.
Gender: Female

Grandpa George
Grandpa George is one of Charlie’s humorous grandparents and contributes to the family’s warmth and comic energy. This role may also double as an Oompa-Loompa.
Gender: Male

The Candy Man Kids
Sophie, Danny, Alfie, Billie, and additional students as needed make up the Candy Man Kids. These performers appear during “The Candy Man” and can expand significantly depending on cast size. This group is a fantastic way to involve additional students early in the show.
Gender: Any

Oompa-Loompa Chorus
The Oompa-Loompa Chorus can range from a small featured group to a large ensemble. Directors often cast younger students as Oompa-Loompas and use older students as leaders or “wranglers” for choreography and transitions.
Gender: Any

Willy Wonka / Candy Man
Willy Wonka is mysterious, charismatic, mischievous, and endlessly entertaining. The role demands a performer who can instantly shift between funny and serious moments while fully controlling the stage. It is preferred that Wonka also double as the Candy Man because it strengthens the idea that Wonka is orchestrating the Golden Ticket contest.
Gender: Male | Vocal range: G3–E5

Phineous Trout
Phineous Trout is the energetic reporter covering the Golden Ticket competition throughout the show. This role requires strong projection, personality, and a performer comfortable speaking directly to the audience.
Gender: Any

Mrs. Gloop
Mrs. Gloop has overindulged Augustus and contributes heavily to the show’s over-the-top comedy. Cast a performer willing to make bold comedic choices.
Gender: Female

Violet Beauregarde
Violet is the gum-chewing, hypercompetitive brat from Snellville, Georgia. She contrasts sharply with Veruca Salt and should feel energetic, loud, and aggressively confident.
Gender: Female | Vocal range: C4–Db5

Matilda
Matilda is one of Charlie’s classmates and helps introduce “The Candy Man.” Though not a large role, Matilda has featured moments and works well for a confident younger singer.
Gender: Female | Vocal range: C#4–B4

Candy Man
The Candy Man travels from neighborhood to neighborhood bringing excitement and sweets to children. This role should feel friendly, charismatic, and welcoming. In most productions, the Candy Man doubles as Willy Wonka.
Gender: Male | Vocal range: G3–E5

Mr. Bucket
Mr. Bucket is caring, supportive, and deeply devoted to Charlie. This role works best with a performer who naturally conveys kindness and warmth.
Gender: Male

Mike Teavee
Mike Teavee is addicted to technology, gaming, television, and screens of every kind. Loud, bratty, and obnoxious, Mike should be cast with a performer who fully commits to exaggerated comedy.
Gender: Male | Vocal range: Db4–Db5

Squirrels
The Squirrels are silent physical acting roles and are excellent opportunities for younger or beginning performers. Directors may cast as many squirrels as needed for staging.
Gender: Any

Charlie Bucket
Charlie Bucket is the emotional center of the musical. Charlie is optimistic, humble, sincere, and endlessly hopeful despite his family’s poverty. The performer playing Charlie should have strong emotional honesty and enough stamina to carry nearly every scene in the show.
Gender: Male | Vocal range: A3–D5

Mrs. Bucket
Mrs. Bucket is nurturing, loving, and deeply protective of Charlie. Like Mr. Bucket, this role may also double as an Oompa-Loompa later in the production.
Gender: Female

Augustus Gloop
Augustus is the overindulgent eater whose obsession with food creates many of the show’s comic moments. Directors are encouraged to avoid insensitive casting choices and instead use costume design or staging to create the illusion of size if desired.
Gender: Male | Vocal range: Eb4–Db5

Ms. Teavee
Ms. Teavee resembles the polished television moms of classic sitcoms. She is perfectly put together, slightly disconnected, and unintentionally funny.
Gender: Female

Veruca Salt
Veruca is the spoiled, wealthy, class-conscious brat who always gets what she wants. Her song “I Want It Now” requires a strong singer with excellent comic acting skills.
Gender: Female | Vocal range: A3–D5

James
James is Charlie’s classmate and helps introduce “The Candy Man.” This role is ideal for a performer who may not yet be ready for a larger featured role.
Gender: Male | Vocal range: A3–A4

Mrs. Beauregarde
Mrs. Beauregarde has spent years trying to “fix” Violet’s gum-chewing habits with limited success. This role is largely non-singing and focuses on comic character acting.
Gender: Female

Grandpa Joe
Grandpa Joe is Charlie’s loving and encouraging grandfather. Warm, optimistic, funny, and wise, Grandpa Joe should instantly connect emotionally with the audience.
Gender: Male | Vocal range: C4–D5

Chorus of Cooks
The optional Chorus of Cooks appears during “I Eat More!” and can expand participation significantly. Many schools double this group with Candy Man Kids or Oompa-Loompas.
Gender: Any

Mr. Salt
Mr. Salt attempts to solve every problem with money and status. He should sharply contrast Charlie’s humble family and fully commit to exaggerated comedy.
Gender: Male