RVC St. Agnes students star in Willy Wonka Jr.

Posted Thursday, May 4, 2017 1:30 pm

Willy Wonka (Patrick Burke), wearing pirate hat, sailed down the chocolate river with his factory guests.

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Charlie Bucket, played by Ryan Jeffers, exults after finding the last Golden Ticket.

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No Willy Wonka show would be complete without an appearance from the Oompa-Loompas.

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The Bucket family of dad (Joseph Moran), from left, mom (Maxine Flordeliza) and Grandpa Joe (Joseph Carusone) try to cheer up Charlie, sitting.

Sue Grieco/Herald

Matthew Baldari played the colorful "Candy Man."

Sue Grieco/Herald

By Brian Kacharaba

It was two sweet nights of pure imagination for those who attended “Willy Wonka Jr.” at St. Agnes Cathedral School on April 27 and 28.

The drama program’s adaptation of the iconic 1971 film starring Gene Wilder featured vividly colorful sets, heartwarming songs and captivating performances by all of the actors.

The story chronicled the mysterious Willy Wonka (Patrick Burke), who placed five golden tickets among his candy bars as he seeks the heir apparent to his chocolate empire. Those that found them won a free tour of the Wonka factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate.

Four of the five children turned out to be incorrigible brats, while the fifth, Charlie Bucket (Ryan Jeffers), is a poor child who emerges as a likeable young man as he goes on the tour with his grandfather Joe (Joseph Carusone). The children must learn to follow the factory rules or suffer the consequences.

In the end, Charlie was named the successor of the factory after admitting to tasting the Fizzy Lifting Drink and breaking the rules during the tour. Wonka revealed that the tour was really a test of character and only Charlie has succeeded.

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