Roald Dahl classic 'Willy Wonka' on stage in Simi

CANDY MAN—Christopher Blair stars as Willy Wonka in a production at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. A world of chocolate rivers and psychedelic candy gardens is the setting for the Actors' Repertory Theatre of Simi's production of "Willy Wonka," a musical version of the classic 1971 film.

Based on the 1964 novel "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl, the musical combines some of the more sinister elements of the book with the perky film version, which starred the memorable Gene Wilder and featured the songs of Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.

"Wonka" is a challenge for any theater company, but producer Jan Glasband proved at the premiere last Saturday night that a little imagination and ingenuity can go a long way.

The story we all know centers on an eccentric candymaker who's looking to pass on his secrets to a worthy successor. Five lucky children find "golden tickets" in Wonka's candy bars and are granted a private tour of his elaborate factory. (The theater sells its own "Wonka bars" in the lobby, some with inserted golden tickets that grant lucky recipients two free seats to an upcoming production.)

The glue that binds the show together is Christopher Blair, who imbues his performance of Willy Wonka with a joyfulness that infects everyone in the cast.

A seasoned circus ringmaster, Blair's also played the title role in "Barnum," but said the role of Wonka "includes everything I ever wanted to be." A selfdescribed "song-and-dance man," Blair grew up idolizing the work of Danny Kaye and Dick Van Dyke; in fact, his lithe movements and toothy grin are eerily reminiscent of Van Dyke's work as a young musical comedy star.

But Blair's expressive eyes add something a little more malevolent to Wonka's character, which brings to mind some of the more manic antics of Monty Python alum Eric Idle, whom Blair also resembles.

"Wonka is not psychotic, but he is quite mad!" said Blair, whose rapid speech patterns mimic those of the character he plays. His charismatic performance, including his rendition of the show's major hit, "The Candy Man," is what makes "Wonka" work and work splendidly.

Although the show's large cast includes many standout performers, the best are the five youngsters who play the golden ticket winners: Anthony Crehan as the winsome Charlie Bucket, Tanner Woodley as the gluttonous Augustus Gloop, Emily Albrecht as the screeching Veruca Salt, Rebecca Thomas as spoiled Southern brat Violet Beauregarde, and Austin Miller as Game Boyobsessed Mike Teavee.

Also outstanding are the 11 children who portray the orangefaced, green-haired Oompa Loompas, the robotlike miniworkers in Wonka's factory. Their singing and synchronized dance steps drew cheers and applause from the enthusiastic audience.

The many special effects in the show are generally wellexecuted; one noteworthy example requires audience members to don 3D glasses in order to complete the illusion of Charlie and Grandpa Joe (Ray Mastrovito) flying through a soap-bubbly sky ("Flying").

The one drawback in "Wonka" is the difficulty in hearing solo singers over the orchestra, which is situated on the floor, between the stage and the audience. Hopefully, the sound engineers can find a solution for this nagging problem, which plagues many shows at this theater.

"Willy Wonka" continues at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center through May 24. For ticket information, visit www.simiarts.org or call (805) 583-7900.