Conn-Area Catholic School cans tickets to school play for food donations

Attendees won't need a golden ticket to get into Conn-Area Catholic School's production of “Willy Wonka Jr.,” but they will need a nonperishable food item.

Once again the Connellsville school will use its annual musical to help those in need.

Director Susan Camele said tickets are not being sold for the show that will be presented 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and 2 p.m. March 1 in the Edwin S. Porter Theater in the Greater Connellsville Area Community Center. Instead, they are asking for a donation of a canned good or nonperishable food item.

“The donated food will be given to the local St. Vincent De Paul Society so it benefits the local community,” Camele said.

Based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Ron Dahl, “Willy Wonka Jr.” tells the story of the mysterious candy maker Willy Wonka, portrayed by Gage Goodwin of Connellsville. He holds a contest by hiding five golden tickets in five of his candy bars. Those who find the golden tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory as well as a lifetime supply of candy.

Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats: Veruca Salt, played by Sophia Solomon of Masontown; Violet Beauregard, played by Audra Holonich of Connellsville; Agustus Gloop, played by Joey Nace of Masontown; and Mike Teavee, played by Tyler Sebek of Mt. Pleasant.

The fifth ticket is found by a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, portrayed by Dylan Sebek of Mt. Pleasant, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather.

The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory or suffer the consequences.

“We chose the show because we have a very deep cast of boys and there are a lot of boy parts and it's really just a fun show,” Camele said.

She feels the audience will enjoy the characters the children are creating.

“We have some pretty over-the top characters in the show and I think they will enjoy the student's portrayal of those characters,” Camele said.

She thinks the audience will really enjoy the music, which includes many fan favorites from the 1971 movie featuring Gene Wilder, as well as new songs.

“We have many good voices in this show and the children are managing the music beautifully. When the ensemble sings, they have a very good vocal quality,” Camele said.

There are 44 actors and nine crew members from third through sixth grade involved with the production.

Camele said while the production is overseen by herself, her daughter Liz Camele, 17, who is music director and assistant director and choreographer Jennifer Soisson, the show is very much a student-powered show both on stage and behind the scenes.

Goodwin, 12, may be remembered from his portrayal of Horton in last year's production of “Seussical the Musical.” He said he is really enjoying taking on the role of Wonka because he is “fun and crazy.”

He said the parts of the show he thinks will appeal the most to the audience are the scenes in the candy factory.

“It's the most interesting part. There is great scenery and all kinds of unusual stuff that goes on there,” Goodwin said.

Dylan Sebek, 12, who portrayed Mr. Mayor in last year's show, said he was surprised and happy to be chosen to play Charlie Bucket.

“I wanted a bigger role this year,” Sebek said. “I get to sing and I really like singing.”

He said he thinks people will enjoy watching the actors portraying the other golden ticket winners.

“They are funny because of how snotty and spoiled they are,” Sebek said.

Linda Harkcom is a contributing writer.