Elmhurst Children's Theatre presents Willy Wonka!

Pure imagination will be gracing
the Bryan Middle School stage once again, as Elmhurst Children’s Theatre reimagines
the clamorously witty “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” this
Valentine’s Day weekend.

Imagine 46 Elmhurst kids rushing through homework then dashing through a blustering storm to rehearsal. Imagine their parents, staying up until midnight to figure out how the Chocolate River will flow, or how Violet will blow up into a blueberry. The Wonka-esque director who inspires such excitement and dedication is Emily Leonard.

Like Willy Wonka rescued the oompa-loompas from Loompa Land and offered them delectable purpose, Leonard provides respite from drudgerous homework and soul-numbing gaming, while opening pathways to creative adventure. The playful director wholeheartedly enjoys watching the outlandish parody about spoiled, selfish, self-absorbed kids work its magic on the cast.

“If some level of identification with these characters helps us recognize those traits in ourselves, then the show is doing what is was meant to do," she said.

Roald Dahl’s original story was inspired by his memories of the gigantic candy machines and recipe spies at England’s 1920s chocolate factories, who would often invite children to rate their new candy creations. ECT kids are inspired by Leonard’s invitation to re-tell it anew, by delving into their own imaginations for blocking, character bits and even lines of dialogue.

“Performers of ECT are a joy to direct and can easily hold their own against the professionals I work with in terms of dedication, preparation, skill and talent,” says Leonard, who’s been performing and directing professionally in Chicago since 1999. 

ECT’s disciplined yet nurturing environment also entices fragile young egos to be ”reflexively kind and supportive of one another.” That sweetens the deal for performers and parents alike, stirring up a blizzard of song, dance and laughter that blows way back into the last row of the auditorium.

• Friday, Feb. 14  - 7 p.m.
• Saturday Feb. 15 - 2 and 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 16 - 2 p.m.