A SUGAR RUSH WITHOUT THE GOLDEN TICKET

Palm Canyon Theatre kicks off its 39th season with David Greig‘s musical adaption of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a production that’s as colorful and sugary as a Wonka Bar — but often hollow once you bite in. Directed by Se Layne, the production bursts with sparkle and enthusiasm, but the show itself struggles to unwrap the full imaginative magic of Roald Dahl’s tale.

Scott Clinkscales‘s Willy Wonka is a fizzy concoction of eccentricity and energy, though the mix occasionally tips too far toward manic. His voice work is stellar, even when betrayed by a rebellious microphone. Desmond McLeod‘s Charlie gives the show its emotional core — a sweet, sincere presence whose wide-eyed honesty keeps the story grounded. Still, when Charlie finds that fateful Golden Ticket, the moment could use more pop and fizz; it lacks the excitement and joy that should accompany one of the play’s most thrilling moments.

Georgia Smith lends Charlie’s mom, Mrs. Bucket, a gentle warmth, while Luke Rainey‘s Grandpa Joe offers a spoonful of mischief that helps the story glide along. The young actors portraying the quartet of bratty factory visitors Veruca Salt (Fiona Sarchett), Augustus Gloop (Vito Orlando), Violet Beauregarde (Katt Atkins) and Mike Teavee (Steffon Martindale) are a joy to watch, each bringing a combination of comedy and menace to their respective roles, making them both entertaining and slightly unsettling. Heather Joy and Eric Stein-Steele stand out among the parents for their comic timing.

Greig’s libretto remains loyal to the source material but leans a bit too heavily on melodrama. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman‘s music bubbles with energy, though a few numbers begin to taste like leftover taffy — chewy but over-stretched. By comparison, Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley’s songs taken from the film remain unimprovable (“Pure Imagination”). Tegr Powell‘s choreography adds a bounce of fun, if not always the crisp complexity to make the numbers truly soar.

The set design by J.W. Layne, while visually appealing, doesn’t quite match the grand spectacle the story promises. Though the chocolate factory scenes are certainly imaginative, the overall set feels more functional than inspired, lacking the same sense of wonder and magic that some might expect.

Ultimately, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at PCT is a treat that looks good in the wrapper but doesn’t always melt in your mouth. For those looking for a deeper, more refined musical experience, it sometimes feels like the style outweighs the substance. There’s plenty of flavor, but the recipe could use a pinch more wonder, a dash more darkness, and maybe a swirl of genuine magic to balance out the sugar rush. Still, for families craving something whimsical, light and sweet, it’s a tasty night out — just not quite a golden ticket.

photos by Tara Howard

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Palm Canyon Theater, 538 North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs
Thurs at 7; Fri and Sat at 8; Sun at 2
ends on October 12, 2024
for tickets ($17-$38), call 760.323.5123 or visit PCT