Bunkerville, NV-

JL Bowler Elementary School has actors and actresses that are anxious for Friday as they will be performing the play which they have been practicing for since January for three days a week.

The Bighorns Theater is excited to present Willy Wonka Kids by Roald Dahl. The play will be performed by the young actors and actresses of JL Bowler Elementary on Friday, April 1st at 6:00 pm and then two showings on April 2nd at 1:00 pm and a final showing at 4:00 pm. The showings will be capped off on attendance to the first 250 people, due to current CCSD policies regarding COVID. The play will be inside the JL Bowler Elementary Multipurpose Room.

The students at JL Bowler Elementary have also been participating in a 3-year grant from Disney Entertainment which gave them the funds to be able to do three plays based on the Disney films the Lion King, the Jungle Book, and Aladdin. During the grant, the staff and students received training on how to put on and perform musicals. After the Disney grant program ended, the school put on the performances of Sleeping Beauty and now the quirky, candy-loving world of Willy Wonka.

Willy Wonka KIDs is a play based on the famous children’s book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. It was adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy A. McDonald with music and words by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. It is a retelling of the classic story with some of the classic music, but also some new ones. The story also gives more perspective into the kids who got the golden tickets and tour the factory. The quirkiness of Willy Wonka comes out with a surprising twist of fun and excitement. The play has some of the classic characters as well as new characters.

The cost of the “golden ticket” to see the play is $5 per person or a sweet deal for the immediate family of $15. Remember the “chocolatey goodness” of the Family deal is only good for immediate family members. You can pick up or pay for tickets ahead of time at the “Factory” of the JL Bowler Elementary Office or call (702) 346-1900. The pre-sale tickets are first-come, first-serve and those will be seated first at performances. If there are seats available for the performance, there will be tickets sold at the door.

The lead roles are the following:

Aolani Baker as Willy Wonka / Candy Man
Ian Jones Willy as Wonka/ Candy Man
Giovani Rios as Grandpa Joe
Lindon Zemlin as Grandpa Joe
Abby Dodenbier as Charlie Bucket
Antonio Martinez as Charlie Bucket

The play is directed and produced by the following staff: Jamie Jones, Lynette Leavitt, Kenda Heath, Janet McWillis, Angie Graus, and Mackenzie Baker.

Go support the 80 kids who have worked hard to put on this play by being in the play or being part of the tech and art crew. Once again, for more information contact the JL Bowler Elementary Office at (702) 346-1900.