(COVINGTON, KY) – This January The Carnegie will take audiences on a fantasy ride into the land of pure imagination as it continues its 2017-18 Theatre Series with Roald Dahl’s WILLY WONKA, playing weekends January 18-28, 2018.
Based on the enchanting 1971 Oscar-nominated film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder, Roald Dahl’s WILLY WONKA 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.
“Willy Wonka is a fun-filled fantasy that’s just as enjoyable for adults who grew up on the movie as it is for kids who are being introduced to it for the first time,” said Carnegie Theatre Director Maggie Perrino. “We’ve got lots of special effects, clever turns of stage magic, and an entire plaza full of candy decorations planned. You won’t want to miss this very special production at The Carnegie.”
Featuring songs such as “The Candyman,” “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” and “Pure Imagination,” Roald Dahl’s WILLY WONKA is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s musical sweet tooth.
Performances of Roald Dahl’s WILLY WONKA will run Thursday and Friday evenings at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2:00pm and 7:30pm, and Sundays at 3:00pm. Tickets are $30, $27 for Carnegie Members, Northern Kentucky Chamber Members and Enjoy the Arts Members, $18 for children 12 and under, and $23 for students. Tickets can be purchased through The Carnegie Box Office, open Tuesday – Friday 12pm – 5pm, in person or by phone at (859) 957-1940, or online at www.thecarnegie.com. Patrons seeking group, member, or student tickets should call the Box Office to make arrangements.
The 2017-18 Carnegie Theatre Series is sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.
Roald Dahl’s WILLY WONKA is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
###
CAST LIST:
- Willy Wonka – Dain Alan Paige
- Phineous Trout – Sean P. Mette
- Charlie Bucket – Cade C. Harvey
- Augustus Gloop – Christian Arias
- Mrs. Gloop – Angela Alexander Nalley
- Veruca Salt – Gabrielle Tollefson
- Mr. Salt – John Siedenberg II
- Mike Teavee – Liam Sweeney
- Ms. Teavee – Emily Martin
- Violet Beauregarde – Laura Dinn
- Mrs. Beauregarde – Lesley Hitch
- Grandpa Joe – Don Wong
- Mr. Bukcket – Brian Anderson
- Mrs. Bucket – Linsey Rogers
- Grandma Josephine – Aimee Zimmer
- Grandpa George – Jeff Richardson
- Grandma Georgina – Cathy Alter
- James/Teen Ensemble – Jackson Higgason
- Matilda/Teen Ensemble – Molly Munn
- Sophie/Teen Ensemble – Samantha Cline
- Danny/Teen Ensemble – Anna Dudley
- Alfie/Teen Ensemble – Mark Schutzman
- Billie/Teen Ensemble – Katelyn Moore
- Oompa Loompas/Youth Ensemble – Ryan Armstrong, Olivia Bayer, Russell Corby, Ruthie Darnell, Yvonne Herrmann, Novella Rose Marshall, Evgenia Sias, Sophia Teague
PRODUCTION TEAM:
- Director and Choreographer – Maggie Perrino
- Music Director- Xan Jeffery
- Stage Manager – Jackie Smith
- Scenic Designer – Tyler Gabbard
- Costume Designer –Josh Newman
- Lighting Designer – Larry Csernik
SELECT BIOS:
Willy Wonka – Dain Alan Paige
Dain Alan Pagie started writing and producing plays in the third grade, and has never looked back. A graduate of the CCM acting program, he has performed with many theatres around town, including Jersey Productions, Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Showboat Majestic, Kincaid Regional Theatre, Commonwealth Theatre Company at NKU, Monmouth Theatre and ArtReach Touring Theatre. Favorite roles include Michael in I DO! I DO!, Cliff in CABARET, Jesus in COTTON PATCH GOSPEL, and Lumiere in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
Charlie Bucket – Cade C. Harvey
Cade Harvey is a graduate of Oak Hills High school. He has worked with multiple theatre companies in the area. He most recently finished the show YOUNG FRANKENSTIEN at The Covedale Center for the Performing Arts.
Grandpa Joe – Don Wong
Don Wong is excited to return to the Carnegie stage again this year after appearing briefly, albeit clothed, in The Full Monty. A native of Cincinnati and resident of Clifton, Don is the Ticketing Services Manager at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park where he first appeared onstage in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Don was a co-founder of Cincinnati Public Theatre in the late nineties and his favorite directing credits include two tours of the six-hour play, THE KENTUCKY CYCLE, LOVE! VALOR! COMPASSION!, THE CRUCIBLE, INHERIT THE WIND, BEAUTIFUL THING, SAINT JOAN, CINDERELLA, SOUTH PACIFIC, and LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE.
Augustus Gloop – Christian Arias
Christian Arias is a sophomore at Scott High School. Christian has appeared in multiple productions including TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME, JUNIE MOON at Scott High School, INTO THE WOODS JR. and SEUSSICAL JR. with Jersey Productions, and SCHREK: THE MUSICAL with Cincinnati Music theater.
Veruca Salt – Gabrielle Tollefson
Gabby Tollefsen is making her Carnegie debut in ROALD DAHL’S WILLY WONKA. Gabby is a sophomore at Mariemont High School and studies at CCM Prep in their high school Musical Theatre Intensive, as well as voice at Musical Arts Center. Favorite past credits include LEGALLY BLONDE at CAPA, CRAZY FOR YOU at CCM Prep, BRIGADOON at Mariemont, and most recently CYPT’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
Mike Teavee – Liam Sweeney
Liam Sweeney is making his Carnegie debut in ROALD DAHL’S WILLY WONKA. No stranger to the stage, Liam has appeared in GREASE, DECK THE HALLS, CYRANO DE BURGER SHACK, CATS! (Not The Musical), and THE BULLYING COLLECTION at St. Henry District High School. Liam attended the 2017 Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts.
Violet Beauregarde – Laura Dinn
Laura Dinn is making her Carnegie debut in ROALD DAHL’S WILLY WONKA. As a senior at Notre Dame Academy, Laura looks forward beginning her college journey toward receiving a BFA in acting. She is a second year student in the CCM Certificate Acting Program and CCM Preparatory Dance Department where she is able to strengthen her education of acting, tap, and musical theatre dance. You may have recently seen her in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre), REAGACHEV (Cincinnati Fringe Festival), and THE LAST FIVE YEARS (Thomas More College).
About The Carnegie: The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky’s largest multidisciplinary arts venue providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center. More information about The Carnegie is available at www.thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 491-2030.
The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from Cincinnati Wine Festival, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, The City of Covington, and the Kentucky Arts Council. The Carnegie is also supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.
November 27, 2017 (CINCINNATI, OH) – Louisville, KY based professional magician Cody Clark, as his children’s magic character Conductor Cody, will be performing a new Christmas themed magic show called Conductor Cody’s Christmas Express!. This family friendly holiday magic show will take place at Haines House of Cards on Saturday, December 16th at 4 PM.
Tickets the Radio Play is a family-friendly holiday treat! 
MPI is excited to announce our 2018-19 season!
From the 22 musicals and plays submitted, the Board of Directors chose submissions for our 2018-2019 season that examine our world with curiosity, wit, and style.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 