Do you have the winning ticket? Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is coming to Sandpoint in April! Growing Dreams Productions, Inc., is in full swing with rehearsal for this crowd-pleasing musical theater production.

Cast in January with over 50 talented area youth from ages 8-18, this show is shaping up to be another hit for Growing Dreams. Add in the 20-30 youth and another 20-30 adult volunteers building set, sewing costumes, preparing make-up, procuring sponsors and advertisers, etc., and it’s all in the recipe for success.

This cast is overflowing with talent — from newcomer Ammon Walker as Willy Wonka to veteran Gracie Aller as Grandma Georgina. Charlie (Sidney Meshbery) and Grandpa Joe (Future Churchill) are getting ready for the adventure of a lifetime with Augustus Gloop (Cooper Woulet), Mike Teavee (McCoy Johnson), Violet Beauregarde (Ada Anderson), and Veruca Salt (Elly Pincher) touring Willy Wonka’s amazing Chocolate Factory.

They’ll meet the Oompa Loompas (Izzy McLaughlin, Jaya Rosenau, Leah Clark, Lou Faoust, Myelle Jensen, Naomi Anderson, Vivian Schuck, Chloe Chapman, Iker Viega, Madi Duke) and share a song with The Candyman (Sarah Kugle) and her devotees (Jaycee Forrell, Ava Harrison, Katya Kalphat-Fulford, Brooklyn Logan, Aiden Terry, Liam Davis, Adrian Hunter, Camy Van Ausdal). Mr. and Mrs. Bucket (Parker McPherson, Alena Flocchini), Grandma Josephine (Kalea Ollerton), Grandpa George (Silas James) and Phineous Trout (Lucinda Meshberg) all join in along the way.

Other cast members include Megan Thurlow (Mrs. Gloop), Courtney Hunter (Ms. Teavee), Madalyn Matilla (Mrs. Beauregarde), David Zwygart (Mr. Salt), Ashley Brown, Ellie Craemer, Emma Schmitt, Karli Hamilton, Kyla Brown, Priscilla Hester and Rachel Dick as cooks/ensemble, along with Jordan Cassidy and Adrienne Rasor as the puppeteers.

Behind the scenes, the all-star direction team includes Jeanne Hunter as director, Jon Brownell as musical director, Becky Lucas as choreographer, Angie Aller as costume director, Dalton Hawkins as technical director, Natalie Aller as assistant director, Juliette Harrison as make-up director, Ali Terry as student director, Mailee Jensen as stage manager, and Grace Walker as assistant stage manager.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory plays April 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18 at the Sandpoint High School auditorium. All shows begin at 7 p.m. except for the kid’s show matinee — where youth ages 10 and under will receive a free popcorn. That show will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 11. Join the cast and crew for a fun show — maybe at the red carpet Opening Night Gala, 7 p.m. on April 10; the kid’s matinee, 2 p.m. on April 11; student night, with free popcorn for students, on April 16 at 7 p.m.; or senior night, April 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available beginning March 7 at Eve’s Leaves and online at ticketor.com/growingdreamsproductions. Ticket cost is $12/ticket.

Sponsorship and Advertising information is available through any cast member, email us at growingdreamsproductions@gmail.com, or calling Mimi Feuling at 208-597-2700. Join with Sweet Lou’s, PAFE, Schweitzer Mountain, Ballard Orthodontics, Winter Ridge and many more in supporting youth theater in Sandpoint.