Yeah, you read that correctly!  Scrumdiddlyumptious is just the way to describe my afternoon in New York City taking in the Broadway musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

We knew we were in for a major treat when we were invited* to see the show and arrived  at the theatre.

The musical is based on the book by Roald Dahl.  It’s one of my very favorite movies from growing up, yet  I was curious to see how it would hold up on stage.  I loved the original movie starring Gene Wilder as a child, but loved the Tim Burton version my children were introduced to even more.  I was curious to see how this would compare to both versions.  What I found was that it held up just fine all on it’s own accord.

Inside the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on 46th Street near Times Square, where Charlie and the Chocolate Factory plays, it almost felt like you were walking into a candy land of sorts, thanks to a perfect partnership with Dylan’s Candy Bar.  Treats galore were available for purchase to set just the right mood for the show we were about to see.

We settled in for what was to be a fun-filled and sweet show. Immediately, I was impressed by Charlie, played by Ryan Foust in his Broadway debut, a young, energetic and optimistic soul that colors the story.  Willy Wonka, played by Broadway favorite Christian Borle, was eccentric and humorous, but his version was very much his own character–not trying to imitate Gene Wilder or Johnny Depp.  He did a great job creating his own personality.

For those unfamiliar with the story, Charlie Bucket is a young pauper without a penny to spare.  He dreams all of the time, one of his dreams being that of visiting the mysterious Wonka factory in town that no one has been in for quite some time.  An opportunity arises where 5 lucky winners of a Golden Ticket found in Wonka chocolate bars will win the opportunity to visit the Wonka factory and win a grand prize.  We are introduced to the winners of the contest and their personalities throughout the first half and then during the second, we watch the tour of the factory and the rest of the story unfold.  It is fantastic!

I love the commentary made through the introductions of new characters and scenarios. Each character does a great portrayal and teaches us some very valuable lessons.

The sets, music and actors were all very imaginative and set the perfect background for an amazing Broadway experience.   This is definitely one not to miss on Broadway.  A great choice for a family outing, with several matinees playing throughout the week.  It’s extremely kid-friendly, but entertaining enough for adults, as well. We thoroughly enjoyed the show and highly recommend it to you.

To learn more about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, visit their website and purchase your own tickets online.

*we were invited to see the show to facilitate a feature, all opinions are my own.