Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (musical)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a musical based on the 1964 children's novel of the same name by Roald Dahl, with book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Marc Shaiman
Scott Wittman
Directed by Sam Mendes, the musical premiered in the West End at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in June 2013 and ran for 3 years and 7 months before closing on 7 January 2017. In 2013 the production broke the record for weekly ticket sales in London.[1] While receiving mixed reviews from critics, the show won two Laurence Olivier Awards in 2014 for Best Costume Design and Best Lighting Design. The show was reworked for a Broadway production opening in April 2017 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and ran almost nine months before closing in January 2018. A U.S. Tour opened 21 September 2018 at Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, New York and an Australian Tour at Capitol Theatre on 11 January 2019. A second U.S. Tour launched on 1 January 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Broadway version of the musical has been acquired for licensing rights in North America, Europe and Australia by Music Theatre International.[2]
Background[edit]
The musical is based on the 1964 children's novel by Roald Dahl.[3] Producers held a first reading of the first act from the show in New York City in May 2010, with the intention of opening in London the following year.[4][5][6]
Officially confirmed on 18 June 2012, producers announced that the show would play the London Palladium beginning in May 2013, with tickets going on sale in October 2012, before the venue was later changed to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.[7][8]
The book was written by playwright David Greig with original score composed by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman.[9] The production was directed by Sam Mendes, with choreography by Peter Darling, accompanied with the assistance of Brandon Duncan, set design by Mark Thompson and lighting design by Paul Pyant.[10]
The show presents a more contemporary version of the original story.[11][12] During previews, many changes were made, most significantly the addition of the Great Glass Elevator.[13]
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical
7 October 2013
69:08
2 June 2017 (Digital) 23 June 2017 (CD)
57:00