'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' preparing for Broadway debut
Willy Wonka is set to make its Broadway debut in April.
— -- For the first time ever, the story of Willy Wonka is coming to Broadway.
Roald Dahl's “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” follows five children who set off on the adventure of a lifetime after snagging golden tickets to tour a chocolate factory.
In New York, the Lunt-Fontanne Broadway theater has been transformed into that magical factory. So far, only a few lucky insiders have seen that transformation first-hand.
Young stars of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' on landing their first Broadway roles
A few tantalizing hints we learned about the play:
3 Broadway first-timers will play the role of Charlie.
Three young ators are set to play the role of Charlie. This will be the first time on Broadway for 11-year-old Ryan Sell, 12-year-old Ryan Fast and 10-year-old Jake Ryan Flynn.
Flynn told ABC News that he went bananas when he found out he’d landed the role.
"I got a package in the mail and it was a Wonka Bar,” Flynn said. “And I opened it and there was a golden ticket in it that said I had the part. I went absolutely nuts. I don’t even know what happened after that. I went nuts."
Sell added, “It’s just a great story. Roald Dahl’s a genius. I don’t know how he can figure this out. But somehow he does it."
Watch the actors talk about landing their roles in a Broadway play:
Christian Borle talks Broadway's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'
Two-time Tony Award winning actor Christian Borle will star as Willy Wonka.
In the film version of the story, legendary actor Gene Wilder starred as Willy Wonka, delighting and terrifying children everywhere. For many who watched the previous versions of Willy Wonka on screen, he could be both creepy and delightful at the same time. Christian Borle said he has a few twists of his own for the role.
“I think what was scary about Willy Wonka was his unpredictability. And we certainly have that here,” said Borle. “I think we’re excited about unveiling a lot of surprises. But I also want to make him like a recognizable human being. He’s eccentric. But deep down he’s a real person. And actually fundamentally at the end, a generous person.”
Watch Christian Borle talk about one of his favorite moments in the show:
F. Michael Haynie and Kathy Fitzgerald on Broadway's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'
Remember the gluttonous Augustus Gloop?
F. Michael Haynie and Kathy Fitzgerald will pair up as Augustus Gloop and his mom, Mrs. Gloop. If their chemistry in the show is anything like their chemistry on the carpet, fans are in for a real treat.
“For most of the show we carry around these giant fake bratwurst, because we’re from Bulvaria. And they’re huge. I love the prop. It’s literally this long,” Fitzgerald said with arms stretched wide. “It’s the best prop I’ve ever had.”
Watch Haynie and Fitzgerald share some insider secrets about their fabulous props:
Alan H. Green and Trista Dollison on the debut of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'
Alan H. Green, aka Mr. Salt, just saw the original film for the first time.
Trista Dollison and Alan H. Green will star as Veruca Salt and her dad, Mr. Salt. Green had the opportunity to see the screen version of the story for the first time during the December holiday season.
“I actually didn’t see it initially. I happened to randomly come across it on Christmas Eve. I was at home eating king crab legs,” joked Green. “And I turned my TV on. And it came on and I thought I should watch it."
Watch Dollison and Green talk about Veruca turning purple
"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" officially opens on Broadway, Sunday, April 23.
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