Gallup Junior High drama troop to sweeten the stage
'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' at El Morro Theater

The cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory pose for a group photograph Monday at the El Morro Theatre. The play will be held at 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Saturday and then at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $2 for students and $4 for adults. [Photo by Jeremy Schneider/Independent]

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Fans of Charlie Bucket, Willy Wonka, and the Oompa-Loompas don't have to wait until the new Johnny Depp film gets released.

Thanks to the Gallup Junior High School students involved in Tiger Drama, the play "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is coming to the El Morro Theater this week. The play will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $2 for students and $4 for adults. Students and staff of GJHS will be admitted free with an I.D.

Fans of the 1971 film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" will find some differences in the stage version.

"The play is actually closer to the actual book," said Carman Moon, the drama teacher at GJHS. "The movie was embellished for Hollywood."

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is the story of Willy Wonka, the owner of a fantastic candy factory, and Charlie Bucket, a poor child who finds a Golden Ticket in a Wonka candy bar and wins the chance to visit Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. By winning the ticket, Charlie embarks on a magical adventure.

In the Tiger Drama version, Willy and Charlie are both females. According to Moon, she decided to cast the strongest actors in the lead roles, regardless of gender. Due to their impressive auditions, Lauren Murphy earned the role of Willy and Jeanine Clyde landed the role of Charlie. More than two dozen other GJHS students fill out the cast.

In addition, said Moon, students in her three drama classes helped by designing and painting the set. "The kids are so artistic," she said. "It's really great to see what they come up with."

Moon praised the hard work and cooperative teamwork of the student actors and the students who have worked behind the scene.

Moon is in her second year as a drama teacher at GJHS. Although students can take her drama class as an elective, Tiger Drama is an extra-curricular club activity that students participate in on their own time. Admission to the play will go to help fund future Tiger Drama productions.

For more information about "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," call 721-1995.