Willy Wonka Character Breakdown

* Squirrels and cooks are played by 3rd - 4th grade 

** All other characters are played by 5th - 8th grade 

Willy Wonka / Candy Man

• Willy Wonka is an enigmatic character; at once mysterious and mischievous but also charismatic. A young man (or a young woman) who is charismatic, engaging and has a great voice. The actor should be able to be funny and serious and change between the two on a dime. It is preferred that Wonka double as the Candy Man, as it helps reinforce that Wonka has staged the Golden Ticket competition and is somewhat controlling this contest along the way. Must be a fantastic actor and singer in this iconic role.

• Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: G3

Oompa-Loompa Chorus

• The Oompa-Loompa Chorus, including Oompa-Loompas 1-5.

• Vocal range top: A4, Vocal range bottom: A3

The Candy Man Kids

• Candy Man Kids sing "The Candy Man" and may double as Oompa-Loompas.

James

• • James is Charlie's friend from school. He has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with Matilda and Charlie. This is a great role for a performer who is newer to the stage. 

  • Vocal range top: F#4, Vocal range bottom: A3

Matilda 

• Matilda is also a schoolmate of Charlie's, but she's a bit of bully. Matilda has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with James and Charlie.

• Vocal range top: B4, Vocal range bottom: C#4

Phineous Trout

• Phineous is the reporter who announces the winners of the Golden Ticket contest throughout the show. The role requires some singing, so they must have a great announcer's voice and good stage presence.

• Vocal range top: C5, Vocal range bottom: B3

Charlie Bucket 

• Charlie Bucket is the emotional heart and soul of the musical. The actor performing Charlie should have lots of pluck and enthusiasm. Charlie is in nearly every scene, so the actor must be able to handle the demands of a sizable role. Charlie should be a great singer, excellent actor, and reads as younger onstage. Bonus - can burp on command.

• Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: A3

Grandpa Joe 

• Grandpa Joe is the grandfather we all wish we had when we were Charlie's age. He is caring, patient, sweet, and always reminds Charlie to look on the bright side. He should be an actor who can be kind, funny, and makes a great duo with Charlie. The role sings a bit, but the singing is secondary to the actor's solid acting skills. Bonus - can burp on command and do a fun "grandpa" voice!

• Vocal range top: Eb5, Vocal range bottom: Bb3

Mr. Bucket

• This is a great role for a young person who has a nice voice, and is a natural nurturer. Mr. Bucket performs the number "Think Positive" with Charlie. Mr. Bucket can double as an Oompa-Loompa in the second half of the show.

• Vocal range top: C#5, Vocal range bottom: D4

Mrs. Bucket

• This is a great role for a young person who has a nice voice, and is a natural nurturer. Mrs. Bucket sings "Cheer Up, Charlie" with Mr. Bucket and Grandpa Joe. Mrs. Bucket can double as an Oompa-Loompa in the second half of the show.

• Vocal range top: Db5, Vocal range bottom: Bb3

Grandpa George, Grandma Georgina, and Grandma Josephina

• Charlie's three grandparents are mainly non-singing character roles. They need to be innately interesting, have good comic timing and are solid actors. These actors can double as Oompa-Loompas in the second half of the show.

Violet Beauregarde 

• Gum chewer extraordinaire, Violet hails from Snellville, Georgia, so it's nice if she has a Southern American accent, but not necessary. Violet should stand in stark contrast to Veruca Salt. Veruca is a wealthy refined brat; Violet is more of a bluecollar, middle class brat. She sings "Chew It" along with Willy Wonka. Must be a young lady with strong voice.

• Vocal range top: G5, Vocal range bottom: G3

Mike Teavee

• For this adaptation Mike is not just a TV junky. He is also addicted to video games, the Internet and any other mindnumbing technological device. Mike is bratty, loud and obnoxious. He does not understand the word "no." Mike and Ms. Teavee sing "I See It All On TV" so he should be a reasonable singer, but doesn't need to be perfect. 

• Vocal range top: G5, Vocal range bottom: G3

Augustus Gloop 

• Augustus is the overachieving eater. Augustus sings "I Eat More!" along with his mother and Phineous Trout. The song is on the difficult side, but does not need to be sung with a polished pretty voice, in fact, the more character the better.

• Vocal range top: G5, Vocal range bottom: B3

Veruca Salt

• Veruca is  wealthy, class-conscious, and completely spoiled. She is often portrayed with a high British accent that is by no means required (brats come in all nationalities). Veruca's solo number "I Want It Now" is deceptively tricky and comes late in the show: should be great singer and actor who can make bold choices onstage.

• Vocal range top: E5, Vocal range bottom: A3

Mrs. Gloop

• Mrs. Gloop is Augustus' mother who has overindulged her son with food. She accompanies Augustus on the tour of the factory, and sings "I Eat More!" which is one of the more difficult songs in the score. The role requires a character actress who isn't afraid to take positive risks both in her acting and her singing. 

• Vocal range top: E5, Vocal range bottom: B3

Mrs. Beauregarde 

• Mrs. Beauregard is a teacher of geography and has invested a great deal of hard-earned money on therapy for her gum-chewing daughter, with less than stellar results. The role is virtually non-singing. Her accent should match Violet's and the two should make a good pair onstage.

• Vocal range top: G4, Vocal range bottom: C4

Mr. Salt

• Mr. Salt's solution to most problems is to buy his way out. He is upper class, and usually portrayed with a high British accent. (But this accent is not necessary-just make sure Veruca and Mr. Salt sound like they hail from the same place.) He sings very little. 

• Vocal range top: G4, Vocal range bottom: C4

Ms. Teavee 

• Ms. Teavee is a take on all television moms of the distant past. Think June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) or Marion Cunningham (Happy Days) or even Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch). She's perfectly put together and a bit vacant. She sings "I See It All On TV" but does not require a polished voice.

• Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: B3

Squirrels / Chorus Of Cooks 

• The squirrels are non-speaking, non-singing roles. This is a great part for beginning actors. Only 10 students maximum will be chosen to participate.

• The Cooks appear during "I Eat More!" presenting Augustus with a smorgasbord of food choices. May double as the Candy Man Kids, Oompa-Loompas, or Squirrels.