Chord Fehr plays the title character in the Broadway North Youth Company's production of Willy Wonka Jr. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

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Chord Fehr says the experience of portraying the iconic character Willy Wonka was rewarding and has greatly increased his own confidence as an actor.

The grade 12 student at Carlton High School plays the title character in Broadway North Youth Company’s production of Willy Wonka Jr. The show opens Friday afternoon at the EA Rawlinson Centre.

“It’s been really amazing and it’s what keeps me coming back here year after year. I just love the experience and I love the community,” Fehr said, who has been with the company for nine years.

Roald Dahls’ beloved story has been read by millions and millions of people around the world and adapted through three Hollywood films. When asked about his inspiration for the character, Fehr acknowledged his favourite portrayal of Willy Wonka, was the one in the original 1971 movie by Gene Wilder.

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“He was just so different and really creative”, Fehr explained, adding he loves the diversity of the character and the opportunity to change from a normal person to someone who is somewhat weird and creepy.

Ian Dickson is the director of this year’s play and when asked about the challenge of bringing such a well known story to the stage, said it was actually quite easy.

“[The actors] know all the back stories from all those other movies they have seen, so then can bring that into their characters and into the scenes they are doing,” he said..

While the play includes many of the elements familiar to people, such as the Oompa Loompas, Dickson said they’ve also included a few new twists for audiences to enjoy.

Rehearsals have been running since September and the cast of 82 will represent schools from all corners of the city.

“It’s a big group but it’s a big show,” Dickson said.

Members of the cast. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

A few sweet candies. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Carys Markell, 12, plays Charlie Bucket, and acknowledged the role was challenging.

“I love doing this,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be in stuff like this and then I went to one of the first [Broadway North Youth] shows, I was like I wanna be in this,” she said.

Audiences will recognize Markell from her past performances in Beauty and the Beast and as “Flounder” in last year’s production of The Little Mermaid.

She acknowledged the character of Charlie has in the past been associated as a boy’s role. And so that;s why she takes extra pride in her performance and the ability so to speak to shatter the glass ceiling.

It’s been a really fun experience,” she said.

Avari Coleman plays the gum chewing Violet Beauregarde and said the experience was very rewarding.

“You just work so hard and this is just a great family,” she said.

“Everyone is trying to make it feel so whimsical and I think they’ve nailed it. It just feels so magical”:

Evening show dates are Nov. 29 and 30, and Dec. 6 and 7. There’s also school matinees on Nov. 29, and from Dec. 2 to 5.

The show is supported by the Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation. For every ticket sold to the public performances of Willy Wonka JR., The Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation and Mark Ripley will donate $20 to the Ronald McDonald House in Prince Albert.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell