ACTC presents Willy Wonka Jr. Feb. 19

By Staff Report | The Tribune

Published Monday, February 8, 2010

ASHLAND, Ky. — Ashland Community and Technical College will present the Children’s Theatre musical, Willy Wonka Jr., Feb. 19 to 21 in the J.B. Sowards Theatre at the College Drive Campus.

Forty area students in 3 to 9 grades will sing their way through the story of the world famous candy man and his quest to find an heir.

The plot revolves around five students who take a tour of the chocolate factory.

Based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, the production was adapted for the stage by Leslie Brucusse and Timothy A. McDonald.

The words and music are by Academy and Grammy award winners Leslie Brucusse and Anthony Newley.

For this children’s production, the score from the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was adapted for young performers under the auspices of the Roald Dahl Estate. Memorable songs include “The Candy Man,” “Pure Imagination,” “Oompa Loompa” and ”I Want it Now.”

Blaine Roberts, a ninth grade student from Raceland High School, portrays “Willy Wonka.” Lincoln Kilgore,a fifth grader at W. R. Castle Elementary School in Louisa, Ky. portrays “Charlie Bucket,” the boy who eventually inherits the factory.

The other children who tour the factory are “Augustus Gloop” portrayed by Clifton Ross, an eight grader at Russell Middle School; “Veruca Salt” portrayed by Molly Baldock, a fifth grader at Hager Elementary School in Ashland; “Violet Beaureguarde” portrayed by Myla Sullivan, a seventh grader at Boyd County Middle School; and “Mike Teavee” portrayed played Chad Hedrick, a ninth grader from Paul G. Blazer High School in Ashland.

Karen Curnutte, ACTC Children’s Theatre Director, is the director for the production. Brian Cook, an ACTC and Morehead State University graduate, is Assistant Director. Max Jackson, ACTC Music Professor Emeritus, is the accompanist. Edward Figgins, ACTC Associate Professor/Director of Theatre, is the scenery and lighting designer. Paula Krepsik is the costume designer.

Performances are Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19 and 20 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 21 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more.

Tickets may be reserved with a major credit card through the college bookstore, 606-326-2014.

Unreserved tickets may be purchased at the door, on a cash basis only, before each performance.

Children’s Theatre also offers matinee performances for area school groups. Matinees are at noon on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 19 and 20.

For matinee information, call the Theatre at 606-326-2073.

ACTC will present the African Drumming & Dance Ensemble from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Thursday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in ACTC’s J. B. Sowards Theatre at the College Drive Campus.

Using authentic-style African instruments, the ensemble presents song, dance and drum arrangements that reflect the ritual, ceremonial, religious, and recreational uses of traditional music in West African cultures. The Ensemble specializing in traditional music of West Africa is directed by Jason Koontz, EKU Director of Percussion Studies.

Students in the ensemble explore the exciting traditions of African music by investigating specific musical types and styles. They present the basic vocal and instrumental playing techniques of tribes such as the Ewe, Malinke and Landouma of Guinea.

The free Black History Month program is presented by ACTC with support from Ohio University-Southern.

Gospel Night, a free Black History Month program, will be held Thursday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. at the ACTC’s J. B. Sowards Theatre.

Gospel Night is the opportunity to hear songs that have inspired generations of Americans sung by choirs from throughout the Tri-State.

Previous performers have included the Antioch Male Chorus from Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Huntington, Ashland Community Chorus, Christ Temple Choir from Ashland, Spiritual Expressions from Full Gospel Assembly in Huntington and the Men’s Chorus of First Baptist Church of Burlington, OH.

For information of performing at Gospel Night, contact Leigh Ann Heineman, Executive Director of the Highlands Museum & Discover Center, 606-329-8888.

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