Charlie and The Chocolate Factory is coming to Broadway. Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien the upcoming production in coming to the Great White Way in 2017.
Director Jack O'Brien released a statement about the upcoming production, saying (via Broadway World):
"Why does Wonka want to do this Golden Ticket contest and what compels him to want to give it all away? I started with the question why. This is the dramatic premise I hang the whole show on. [West End Director Sam Mendes] and I have both spent our careers putting our personal spin on classics, be it by William Shakespeare or Roald Dahl. Since the first production was created for London it's only fair we do an American version, and in America, our connection is to the 1971 movie and the indelible impression of Gene Wilder as the slyly wicked Wonka. The score will pay homage to the beloved Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley songs that are integral to the American relationship to the story, combined with all new songs crafted by the American team that created one of Broadway's most beloved scores, Hairspray. There is room for both of these talented voices in one classic to tell our version of the story, as long as the story stays eternal and true."
Sam Mendes also made a statement about the production, saying:
"I loved directing Charlie and The Choclate Factory and I'm really proud it's having such great run at Drury Lane. But I knew I couldn't marry the time commitment to make a Broadway production with the development of my next projects. As such I am thrilled to be turning the keys to the Broadway Chocolate Factory over to the brilliant Jack O'Brien."
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opened at the West End's Theatre Royal in 2013. The musical has a book written by David Greig with music and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman.
