Steadstyle Chicago
	July 2008 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	Looking for a Ticket Broker? Check out the hottest broadway tickets from Gotickets.com Willy Wonka Navy Pier is truly a summer delight for local residents and of course all of the tourists who visit.  There are fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday nights, the Beer Garden, the restaurants, the amusements, the boat rides, Cirque Shanghai and of course the award winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where each summer a musical is presented for pure family fun.  This year the musical is the stage version of the 1971 film, "Willy Wonka," which was based on the book "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl.  The movie featured music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley and the adaptation for the stage was done by Mr. Bricusse and Tim McDonald. This new version is a bit shorter (roughly 70 minutes with no intermission) and the factory tour has been changed so that only the children get to go. Director Joe Leonardi has put together an all-star cast to bring these colorful characters to life on a dynamite set by Alan Edward Schwanke and adorable costumes by Alison Siple.  The choreography is by Stacey Flaster, who seems to be at every theater of late.  How does she do it, and do it so well?  For those of you who don't know the story, the Bucket family is down on their luck, but a happy, honest family.  Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory has been closed to the public although their candy is still being sold, but a special announcement is made that five special tickets will be found in Wonka candy bars and each of the winners will get to tour the factory and get candy for life. The winners are chosen and our hero, Charlie Bucket gets the very last golden ticket.  Patrick Andrews brings just the right touch of boyish charm to the role.  The first four tickets are won by Violet Beauregarde (Melanie Brezill), Veronica Salt (Jessie Mueller), Mike Teavee (Travis Turner) and Augustus Gloop (George Andrew Wolff).  Each of these children breaks a rule at the factory and each one pays the consequences for doing so. Charlie also breaks a rule, but manages to see the error of his way and correct it, so he alone gets the happy ending. The production relies on Willy Wonka's character being strong and funny and there is no better actor for this role than the very talented Sean Fortunato who can do most anything.  Granted his singing voice is not the strongest, but he stays on tune and more important stays in character.  He is truly fun to watch and each time we see him we realize that Chicago is just loaded with talent.  With the exception of Andrews and Fortunato, all of the actors play many other roles including working as puppeteers (a charming bit of play with Charlie's grand parents).  Mark David Kaplan and Paula Scrofano (always a joy to see on any area stage) round out the cast.  It is hard to believe from the activity on the stage at Chicago Shakespeare that there are only 8 actors putting on this character-filled story, but Mr. Leonardo and Ms Flaster make it work. "Willy Wonka" will run this summer at Chicago Shakespeare at Navy Pier through August 17, 2008.  Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 11:00 a.m., Fridays at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $18 for children 12 and younger and $23 for adults.  You can pick up tickets at the theater box office, order by phone at 312-595-5600 or online at www.chicagoshakes.com.  There is a lot of magic in this story and a lesson in morals, but the most important part of the show is that it is fun for the entire family (I do think children under 5 might have a problem with it) and at affordable ticket prices.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The EpochTimes.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.