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Chistian Borle - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Photo: Joan Marcus 5/16

Dates Set for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

August 8th, 2016 | By Imogen Lloyd Webber

Broadway's spring season is shaping up oh so sweetly! Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, led by two-time Tony winner Christian Borle (after Falsettos), will begin performances on March 28, 2017 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse, the reworked transfer of London's hit tuner is set to officially open on April 23.

Featuring a book by David Greig with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the musical is based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Willy Wonka, world famous inventor of the Everlasting Gobstopper, has just made an astonishing announcement. His marvelous—and mysterious—factory is opening its gates…to a lucky few. That includes young Charlie Bucket, whose life definitely needs sweetening. He and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a mesmerizing, life- changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination. Get ready for chocolate waterfalls, exquisitely nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka's army of curious Oompa-Loompas.

Dahl's book was first adapted to the big screen in 1971 under the title Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder. In 2005, Tim Burton directed a remake using the novel's original title, with Johnny Depp playing Wonka.

The West End staging officially opened at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane on July 25, 2013, starring Tony and Olivier winner Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka and helmed by Sam Mendes. It is set to shutter on January 7, 2017.

 

Read original article on broadway.com