The spring musical for the 2021-2022 school year is Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka. The musical shares several musical numbers with the 1971 film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, while also featuring some original songs. Not only will there be actors and technical support, but there will also be a dance corps and the pit orchestra will provide all of the music.
The Willy Wonka musical being performed at Northwood follows the same story as the book and contains songs from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and some original music by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. Senior Ethan Westmoreland has been cast as the title character, WIlly Wonka. This is his first time in a lead role and his first musical.
“This is my second show, my first time as the lead and I think that I’m both excited and worried about having more precedence [in the show],” Westmoreland said. “It’s a musical and I’m not a singer. Mr. [Matt] Hansen [Northwood’s chorus teacher] seems confident that I’ll be able to sing the songs, but I don’t know if I have confidence that I’ll be able to do them well… It’s both nerve-racking and a really good opportunity to grow and do something I’ve never done before.”
This is the first year that students from the vocals department (Pitch Please, choir, etc.) are allowed to participate in the musical. In previous years, scheduling conflicts prevented this kind of cross-disciplinary participation. This change has allowed for sophomore Quinn Hennessey, a member of Pitch Please, to take on the role of Charlie Bucket.
“It’s really exciting in general to be a part of [a musical] that everyone knows,” Hennessey said. “It’s familiar. At the same time it’s a slightly different version [of Willy Wonka] than other versions and it spices it up a little.”
All of the art departments are contributing to this production with Theater Director Kayla Sharp directing the musical. Mr. Hanson will be directing the vocals in the musical with Band Director Jason Freeman also conducting the pit orchestra. Art Teacher Leslie Burwell is making the prop sets with art students with help from Photography Teacher. Jessica Cecchini.
“All the departments coming together is a really great thing,” Sharp said. “We haven’t had a chance to all work with each other since COVID started and it really makes this musical a big deal. I’m really excited to see all of these different moving parts come together to form a great musical for people to enjoy.”
This will be the first musical that has been performed at Northwood since High School Musical. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder was supposed to be performed back in 2019, but was cancelled due to the pandemic. This means that it has been two years since the last Northwood musical.
The play will be performed April 6-9, 2021 in Northwood’s auditorium. The tickets will be available online on School Cash and in-person on the day of the performance. The tickets will be priced at 10 dollars.
