The Montezuma-Cortez Middle School theatre and choir departments are hosting their biggest production in two years: “Willy Wonka Jr.,” debuting at 7 p.m. Thursday.
For 10 weeks, 50 students across all three grade levels have prepared to bring the new take on the classic “Wonka” tale to the stage – while still encompassing the original themes of nonsensical adventure, hilarity and eccentricity.
“I think for this show, in particular, we just wanted to do something colorful and fun and lighthearted, just something happy and really positive,” said M-CMS Theatre Director Angela Gabardi, who organized the production along with Choir Director Marla Sitton.
Over the course of the pandemic, middle school theatre productions were smaller in scale. Plays encompassed fewer cast and crew members and audiences, and some were even virtual, Gabardi said.
“We've definitely persevered and made theater happen,” Gabardi said. “It's just with this one nothing was holding us back.”
This makes the “Wonka” performance all the more special, she said.
“I think the community really, really misses out when we can't do stuff like this, and they have missed out,” Sitton said. “So it's really, really awesome that we're able to do a full musical in the space.”
The cast and crew weren’t without their obstacles, though.
Amid temporary school closures because of COVID-19 and resulting workforce shortages, rehearsals became digital for two weeks.
Students rehearsed their lines over Zoom meetings, and even sang, too – although they had to keep their microphones muted.
“The kids were so excited to see each other, to read through the script to listen to the music, and just excited to keep the show going,” Gabardi said.
She thinks that one of the songs in the musical, titled “Think Positive,” comes at just the right time, and will offer a much-needed dose of optimism.
“I am so proud of the actors and crew who have worked so hard,” said stage manager Elyse VanBuren told The Journal. “It is amazing to see these people come so far. I am so excited that we are going to be able to have our first full-length show in over a year. The play that we have made is absolutely amazing.”
Aurora Poulin will play starring character Willy Wonka.
“To me, this show means everything,” Poulin said. “This will be the first musical we can do since our theatre program was shut down by COVID, along with this being my first show as a lead. It's truly magical to be able to come together again and create a show.”
The show will run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the middle school’s main gym. Thursday and Friday’s performances will begin at 7 p.m., and the closing performance Saturday will begin at 2 p.m.
Adult tickets are $10, student and senior tickets are $6, and admission is free for M-CMS students and staff – as well as for children ages two and under.
