Willy Wonka Character Breakdown

 

Willy Wonka

Willy Wonka is an enigmatic character; at once mysterious and mischievous but also charismatic and slightly sinister. The actor should be able to be funny and serious and change between the two on a dime. He is a chocolatier who guides children and their parents on a tour of his factory. He is looking for someone new to take over his candy empire. Gender: any, but the role will be played as male. Stage Age: 35 to 50.          

Candy Man

A local candy vendor, he leads the children in praising the joys of candy. Will double as Phineous Trout. Gender: any, but the role will be played as male. Stage Age: 20 to 50.          

 

Phineous Trout

A reporter covering the Golden Ticket story. Will double as Candy Man. Gender: any, but the role will be played as male. Stage Age: 20 to 50.

 

Charlie Bucket

Our story's shy, earnest protagonist. From a modest home life, he is humble and noncompetitive while maintaining a sense of wonder about the world. He is one of the Golden Ticket winners whose honesty and general good nature eventually win Wonka over. Gender: any, but the role will be played as male. Stage Age: 9 to 12. Possibility for double-casting.

 

James

James is Charlie's friend from school. He has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with Matilda and Charlie. Will double as an Oompa Loompa. Gender: male. Stage Age: 9 to 12. Possibility for double-casting.

 

Matilda

Matilda is also a schoolmate of Charlie's. Matilda has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with James and Charlie. Will double as an Oompa Loompa. Gender: female. Stage Age: 9 to 12. Possibility for double-casting.

 

Mrs. Bucket

Charlie Bucket's nurturing mother. She is always trying to maintain an energetic positivity. Gender: female. Stage Age: 30 to 45.

 

Mr. Bucket

Charlie Bucket's nurturing father. He is always trying to maintain an energetic positivity. Gender: male. Stage Age: 30 to 45.

 

Grandpa Joe

A caring, patient, and kindhearted man., he is the loving Grandfather to Charlie Bucket. He accompanies Charlie to Willy Wonka's factory and it gives him a new burst of youthful vigor. Gender: male. Stage Age: 60 to 80.

 

Grandma Josephina

One of Charlie's caring grandparents. Gender: female. Stage Age: 60 to 80.

 

Grandma Georgina

One of Charlie's caring grandparents. Gender: female. Stage Age: 60 to 80.

 

Grandpa George

One of Charlie's caring grandparents. Gender: male. Stage Age: 60 to 80.

 

Augustus Gloop

A gluttonous German boy. Cheerful and jolly, he defines himself by his ability to eat mass quantities of food. He is one of the Golden Ticket winners whose constant overeating is enabled and encouraged by Mrs. Gloop. Gender: male. Stage Age: 12 to 15. Possibility for double-casting.

 

Mrs. Gloop

A plump, jolly German woman with a bustling personality, she is Augustus Gloop's overindulgent mother. Gender: female. Age: 35 to 50.

 

Veruca Salt

Veruca is a wealthy, class-conscious, and completely spoiled Brit. She is accustomed to having her father indulge her every whim and desire. One of the Golden Ticket winners, she is subjected to the squirrels' nut chute. Gender: female. Stage Age: 12 to 15. Possibility for double-casting.

 

Mr. Salt

A wealthy British upperclassman who regularly flaunts his wealth and privilege, Mr. Salt's solution to most problems is to buy his way out. He is father to Veruca Salt who shamelessly spoils his daughter. Gender: male. Stage Age: 40 to 60.

 

Mike Teavee

An obnoxious, hyperactive child, Mike is not just a TV junky. He is also addicted to video games, the Internet and any other mind numbing technological device. Mike is bratty, loud and obnoxious. He does not understand the word "no." He is one of the Golden Ticket winners and Ms. Teavee's son. Gender: male. Stage Age: 9 to 12. Possibility for double-casting.           

 

Ms. Teavee

Ms. Teavee is a take on all television moms of the distant past. Think June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) or Marion Cunningham (Happy Days) or even Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch). She's perfectly put together and a bit vacant. She sings "I See It All On TV" but does not require a polished voice. Gender: female. Stage Age: 35 to 50.

 

Violet Beauregarde

Gum chewer extraordinaire, Violet hails from Snellville, Georgia, so it's nice if she has a Southern American accent, but not necessary. Violet should stand in stark contrast to Veruca Salt. Veruca is a wealthy refined brat; Violet is more of a blue-collar, middle-class brat with a competitive streak. Violet seizes every opportunity to show off. She turns into a giant blueberry. Gender: female. Stage Age: 12 to 15. Possibility for double-casting.  

 

Mrs. Beauregarde

Violet's enthusiastic "helicopter parent" who is a teacher of geography and has invested a great deal of hard-earned money on therapy for her gum-chewing daughter, with less than stellar results. She focuses all her attention on her daughter, and indulges Violet's worst competitive impulses. Gender: female; Stage Age: 35 to 50.

 

Oompa-Loompa Chorus/Squirrels

6-8 children ages 8-15; members of the Oompa-Loompa chorus will also perform in the Candy Man musical number as village children. Any child double cast will also be part of this group when not playing a named character.

 

Note for parents and kids: A show like this is an intensive experience. Children will be expected to be quiet and attentive when learning songs & stage movement, and be able and willing to follow rules and directions similar to being in a school classroom.