Roald Dahl’s classic story, originally a novel and then the subject of two very famous movie versions, receives the stage treatment here, adapted by Leslie Bricusse and Tim McDonald. Songs from the 1971 film — music and lyrics by Bricusse and Anthony Newley — should lend an air of easy familiarity to this Circle Players’ production, which otherwise tells the story we all know: Young Charlie Bucket proves that character sometimes wins out in life — and can even gain you a chocolate factory. Jamie London shares the directorial chores with musical director Shawn Knight, and there’s a good-sized cast of community performers, young and old. Willy Wonka is played by Elliott Robinson, and Jack Williams is Charlie.
— Martin Brady