Stratford Avenue School Fifth Grade Production of Willy Wonka Jr

The back stage crew.

Stratford Avenue School fifth-graders mounted an energetic production of Willy Wonka Jr. in April. The play, based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factor by Roald Dahl with words and music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthonly Newley, tells the story of a world renowned candy maker who sponsors a contest to that will open his factory to several lucky finalists.

"You should be very proud of all you have accomplished," Principal Diane Hopkins told the fifth-graders. "You are brilliant examples of what working together can do."

Director Meredith Stillwell had a special word of thanks for all the parents who helped make the production a success. "Your endless hours of hard work and effort have been the backbone of our show," she said. "Your enthusiasm, time, patience and generosity know no bounds."

Thursday evening's Mr. and Mrs. Bucket, played by Gerard Smith and Amanda Fabus, take a bow. Colin DeAngelo as Augustus Gloop with Mrs. Gloop, his fictional Mom played by Lauren Weisburg, backstage on Friday evening. Chronic gum chewer Violet Beauregarde, played by Caroline Germano, left, with Dana Aprigliano, who played her mother, ham it up before the show on Friday evening. Director Meredith Stillwell mikes up Joey Ardita, who played news reporter Phineous Trout in the Friday production. Charlie's grandparents, played by A.J. Liberti, Molly Brosnan, Angela Coen, and Jimmy Cerise, wish Charlie a happy birthday on Friday evening. Left to right: Maggie O'Brien, as Charlie Bucket; Jimmy Searson as Willy Wonka; and Peter Levchuck as The Candy Man before the Friday evening performance. The Thursday evening grandparents played by Nicholas Sarkis, Amanda D'Antone, Gabby Marcoux, and Michael Sirico. Two Oompa-Loompas who work in the chocolate factory. Nicole Gemmiti as Willy Wonka, belts out a tune at the Thursday evening performance. Charlie's schoolmates, James played by Joe Leto and Matilda played by Nicole Crilly from the Friday evening cast. Mike Teavee, played by Nick DeMoura, delivers his rendition of I See It All on TV on Friday evening. The Candy Shop Kids in a dance number. Augustus Gloop, played by Greg Gardner, and Mrs. Gloop, played by Maddy Condulis, take a bow on Thursday evening. Thursday evening's Candyman, played by Bennett Carey, with Charlie's friends James and Matilda, played by Brendan Sarfin and Elisa Pitella. Annemarie Donohue as Veruca Salt, and Brian Colamussi as her father, take a bow on Friday evening. Thursday evening's Charlie, played by Kyle Brattan, and the cast during the finale. Thursday evening's Mrs. Beauregarde, played by Joanna Sokolovic, and her daughter Violet, played by Deanna DiPierro, take a bow. Lindsey DeMars, as reporter Phineous Trout, interviews Mrs. Teavee, played by Allie Gemmiti, on Thursday evening. The Thursday evening cast begins a fabulous journey into the depths of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. Emma Gong and Owen Fisher, Friday evening's Verucca Salt and Mr. Salt. Audio-video specialist Victor Lee and Alex Strandberge kept audio levels well modulated. Maggie O'Brien's Charlie Bucket, left, with his parents, played by Bridget Bingham and Thomas Trabold. Thursday evening's Mike Teavee, played by Nick Mourikis, defends his obsession with television and computer games. The Chorus of Cooks during their rendition of I Eat More. On both evenings, Mike Teavee found himself trapped in a television set as the cast looked on.