Original ‘Willy Wonka’ Cast Joins Parody Musical

After more than 50 years, two actors are diving back into the world of Willy Wonka (sort of). Julie Dawn Cole and Paris Themmen, two of the child stars of the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factorywill participate in a live stage reading of Willy’s Candy Showan upcoming musical parody inspired by a disastrous Wonka event that made international headlines earlier this year.

Cole played the insatiable Veruca Salt in the classic film with Gene Wilder as chocolatier Willy Wonka, while Themmen starred as the cowboy-hatted Mike Teavee. Both will take part in a live reading at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, as narrators. Cole will lead the cast from August 9-18, with Themmen from August 19-26.

Willy’s Candy Show was inspired by a real-life Wonka event in Scotland, which organizers billed as an “immersive experience” that would transport Willy Wonka fans to a “magical kingdom.” They promoted the event using lush, AI-generated imagery. Unfortunately, this “magical kingdom” turned out to be a nightmare housed in a dingy warehouse, with the experience being so depressing that it was compared to a meth lab and instantly went viral.

Kirsty Paterson, who was dubbed the sad Oompa Loompa in the real-life Glasgow disaster, is also part of the cast of the live reading of the musical. Other actors include Shelly Regner (Perfect pitch series), Eric Petersen (School of Rock, the Musical, Shrek: The Musical), Nicole Greenwood (In full view), Wilkie Ferguson (Broadway Motown: The Musical), Cassandra Parker (Cabaret), singer-songwriter Monica Evans and Chris Villain (Freak Show).

The musical is produced by The little Mermaid Live producer Richard Kraft and his company Kraft-Engel Productions. Kraft and Andy Fickman wrote the book for the musical, which has been releasing songs in recent weeks in anticipation of its stage debut. Riki Lindhome, Daniel Mertzlufft, Doug Rockwell and Tova Litvin, Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, Megan Cavallari, Kate Miccuci, Jennifer Lucy Cook and Kraft are the musical’s songwriters.