by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur Middle School Drama Club presented Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, Jr. on the Gouverneur High School Auditorium stage on Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16.
The GMS Drama Club’s production of “Willy Wonka, Jr.” was based on the timeless classic, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl with words and music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. It was presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (New York, NY). The production was directed by GMS Social Studies Teacher and GMS Drama Club Advisor Brandon Griffin. Assistant Directors were Michele Brenno, Jaime Hughes, and Catie Yablonski.
GMS Drama Club’s production of Willy Wonka Jr. proved to be a scrumdidilyumptious musical that delighted everyone's sweet tooth. The score and scenes included favorite musical numbers, such as “Pure Imagination,” “The Candy Man,” “(I’ve Got A) Golden Ticket),” “Oompa-Loompa,” “There’s No Knowing,” “I Want It Now!” and more. As well, it offered some new favorites, including: “Think Positive,” “Cheer Up, Charlie,” “I Eat More,” among others. Throughout the production, the colorful set and on- and off-stage action drew the audience into the world of Willy Wonka and kept the crowd on the edge of their seats for the entire performance.
The GMS Drama Club featured its 70-plus student-actors in the production this past weekend with three shows to delight the local audiences. The cast included the following: Willy Wonka (Emma Riutta), Candy Man (Robert Millemon), Oompa-Loompa 1 (Isla Countryman), Oompa-Loompa 2 (Alexander Mendez-Sands), Oompa Loompa 3 (Aubree Spicer), Oompa Loompa 4 (Genevieve Plowman), Oompa Loompa 5 (Rylie Hitchman), Charlie Bucket (Rowan Burt), Grandpa Joe (Ruby Griffith), Grandma Georgina (Aubrianna Mason), Grandma Josephine (Mya Seymour), Grandpa George (Luke Bartholomew), Mr. Bucket (Hendrix McSweeney), Mrs. Bucket (Kailey Lewis), Matilda (Aria Austin), James (Carter D’Agostino), Phineous Trout (Elizabeth Bason), Augustus Gloop (Carter McGill), Mrs. Gloop (Sophie Gemmill), Veruca Salt (Brooklyn Anderson), Mrs. Salt (Karsyn Cudhea), Violet Beauregarde (Paisley Casey), Mrs. Beauregarde (Raeleigh McIntosh), Ms. Teavee (Izabella Vann), and Mike Teavee (Gunner Hewitt). The other Oompa-Loompas included: Allison Bressette, Lauren Terpstra, Harper Walters, Aria Austin, Kameran Bice, Adrian Cimeneri, Aryona Petrie, Ellie Sweeney, Karissa Hamilton, Evelynn Riutta, Easton Smith, Keelee Bice, Aspen Chase, Megan Hays, Laila Hoffman, Lainey McDougall, Daphne Bearden, Abigail Brown, Carter D’Agostino, Scarlet DeBault, River Ervin, Lucy Hoffman, Annesa Koerick, Mya Larsen, Alexis McIntyre, Bria Merkley, Dakota Morrison, Mali Pawananon, Maddie Simmons, Isabel Storie, Makenna Turner, Sarie Whiteford, Leah Weems, and London Wood. The Squirrels included: Leighton Anderson, Ridge Burt, Rowan Chase, and Masyn Cudhea. The crew included: Curtis Terpstra, Alexa Merkley, Jude Nichols, Laila Bearden, Madison Nichols, Kiara Callahan, Jenson Pistocco, Katelynn Losey, Evelynn Vann, Brycen Parshley, Jeiza Rivera-Rodriguez. Thunderous applause sounded at the final bows for the Gouverneur Middle School and St. James School students included in the production.
The GMS production of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr. was dedicated in memory of Mr. Griffin’s grandmother, the late Marilyn Griffin (1943-2022), a great supporter of the arts who loved to watch her grandchildren perform in the local productions at the Gouverneur Central School District and beyond.
The Gouverneur Middle School Drama Club extended a word of gratitude to all those who contributed any type of service toward the production’s success, and for the community’s support. With the funds raised, the Gouverneur Middle School Drama Club will be able to bring its members to see Disney’s “The Lion King” at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse this December. A special word of appreciation was extended to the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education, Gouverneur CSD Superintendent of Schools Jackie Kelly, GHS Principal Nicole Donaldson, GMS Principal Michael Hammond and Assistant Principal Rachel Curry, GHS secretarial staff and custodial staff, and GMS secretarial staff. A special word of gratitude went out to Casey Canell, Stacy Canell, and Corryn Canell for the box office assistance, alongside volunteers Heather Rose and Justin Terpstra, among others.
The North Country community is still abuzz about the spectacular production, and is looking forward to attending the next GMS Drama Club production. For more information on the Gouverneur Central School District, visit www.gcsk12.org.