By Brooke Bridges
The Blue Falcon Theater Club will try something never done before in the upcoming play: double casting. The role of “Wonka” in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will be played by both Dan Reilly (senior) and Celia Krefter (junior).
For a total of four shows, Dan and Celia will each perform two shows as Wonka. While one actor is Wonka, the other will be the Phineous Trout, the reporter of the golden ticket winners. When asked about her role in this play Celia commented, “It’s really cool to be able to have that extra acting challenge.”
The Blue Falcon Theater Club will try something never done before in the upcoming play: double casting. The role of “Wonka” in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will be played by both Dan Reilly (senior) and Celia Krefter (junior).
For a total of four shows, Dan and Celia will each perform two shows as Wonka. While one actor is Wonka, the other will be the Phineous Trout, the reporter of the golden ticket winners. When asked about her role in this play Celia commented, “It’s really cool to be able to have that extra acting challenge.”
Dan and Celia have taken their own spin on the character, creating two different, unique Willy Wonkas. “I like Wonka a lot because he acts as a leader, and I’ve been able to incorporate the leadership skills I’ve learned through a lot of my other activities, and use it to build the character further.” Wonka’s “kid at heart” personality resonates with Dan, making it easier to play this role.
Celia intends to convey the whimsical side of Wonka in her performance. “I really love being able to portray someone who’s so ‘out-there’ because it gives you more to work with. It’s a fun challenge to live up to their [the audience] expectations.”
Rehearsals are slightly different this year. In the past, a schedule dictated which actors were needed that day. For Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, there are teams by cast roles and scenes from the show. “Team A would be the first half of the first act, Team B would be the second half of the first act,” Dan explained. The team system allows actors to only rehearse the scenes they are in, making the process more beneficial and efficient.
With the double casting, each scene is done twice, in which both Celia and Dan receive the practice they need. “We’ll do it once, me as Wonka, and him as Phineas, and then the other way around, which is great practice for everyone else as well,” Celia said.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will be performed on Opening Night, Friday, March 24, 2017. The following shows will be on March 25 and March 26.