Ocean City Intermediate School Presents 'Willy Wonka Jr.' on Friday

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Erik Wagner stars as Willy Wonka in the Ocean City Intermediate School musical open to the public on Friday, Jan. 16., at the high school. Ocean City Intermediate School students have been rehearsing for three months, and on Friday (Jan. 16) they'll perform "Willy Wonka Jr.," a musical adaptation of the Roald Dahl book ("Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") and of movies starring Gene Wilder (1971) and Johnny Depp (2005).

Allisun Wiltshire, left, stars as Charlene 'Charlie' Bucket, while Jared Warrington is Mr. Bucket. "At the first rehearsal, we had no idea what we were doing," said sixth-grader Erik Wagner, who stars as Wonka. "And here we are," he said, pointing to lights, props and costumes as the cast prepared for a dress rehearsal on Tuesday. "It's all coming together." The show is open to the public, and here's information on how to attend the single performance: Where: Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School (entrance on beach block of Sixth Street) When: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16 Tickets: $5 for adults, $3 for students and available at the door or at Ocean City Intermediate School during school hours. Wagner, 12, said he has performed in shows since second grade, including Youth Opera of South Jersey productions of "Sweeney Todd," "Brigadoon" and "West Side Story." _____ Sign up for free daily news updates from Ocean City. _____ He joins a talented cast that includes 13-year-old Allisun Wiltshire as "Charlie" Bucket. "It's been fun growing up with everybody," said Wiltshire, an eighth-grade who has participated in OCIS productions since fourth grade. "You have to be humble and study hard to learn the role."

Maddy Presnall, left, plays Mrs. Salt and Heather Decosta the spoiled Veruca Salt. Michelle Tornblom, a seventh-grade social studies teacher, has been working with the student cast three days a week since October. It's her first time directing an Intermediate School show, though she has directed productions at the high school. Willy Wonka Cast

Willy Wonka – Erik Wagner
Candy Man – Ben Wiley
Charlene “Charlie” Bucket – Allisun Wiltshire
Grandpa Joe Bucket – Micah Waid
Mr. Bucket– Jared Warrington
Mrs. Bucket– Julia Wilson
Grandma Josephina – Rosalie Graham
Grandpa George – Mark Faverzani
Grandma Georgina – Andrea Teofanova
Jamie (Charlie’s Friend) – Gabbie Eiler
Matilda (Charlie’s Friend) – Ashley Mathers
Patricia Trout (TV Reporter) – Kayla Rauner
Angela Gloop – Gabby DiMarco
Mrs. Gloop – Nora Faverzani
Veruca Salt – Shannon Decosta
Mrs. Salt – Maddy Presnall
Violet Beauregarde – Gabby Waid
Mrs. Beauregarde – Sophia Meyler
Michelle Teavee – Lauren Mirsky
Ms. Teavee – Jemma Kraft
Oompa Loompa 1 – Rodolfo Reyna
Oompa Loompa 2 – Emma Rodriguez
Oompa Loompa 3 – Morgan Decosta
Oompa Loompa 4 – Katie Muller
Oompa Loompa 5 – Gracie Sando
Chorus –Sofia Keir, Sarah Huber, Ana McGrath, Ashley Meng, David Palomenque, Grace Wiley