CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY opens a national tour tonight at Shea's with a new score from the songwriters of HAIRSPRAY. and producer Mark Kaufman couldn't be happier with the cast and his time in Buffalo, as he told WBFO Theater Talk co-host, Peter Hall.
Mark Kaufman, as "Executive Vice President for Warner Brothers Theatre Ventures" has the enviable job of looking through Warner's library for properties to develop into theatrical productions, including CHARLIE.
Due to New York State tax credits designed to bring dollars upstate, three Broadway shows have now started their national tours - FINDING NEVERLAND, ON YOUR FEET, and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY as they began their "tech" process (assembling all the elements) at Shea's Performing Arts Center.
This 2013 musical, with tunes by the team of HAIRSPRAY, Marc Shaiman and Scott Whittman, will introduce a brand new song in Buffalo, according to Kaufman. Based on the children’s novel by Roald Dahl, it's the story of young Charlie Bucket, who finds a Golden Ticket in a candy bar, and wins a tour of the mysterious chocolate factory owned by Willy Wonka.
There are only 9 performances in this run, from now through a final Saturday September 29th 2:00 p.m. matinee. Patrons are advised to deal only with ticketmaster.com or with Shea's box office directly.
