There’s no earthly way of knowing…why you wouldn’t plan on going….

The Rush County Players prepare to close out their 35^th season with sweet treat: their “all-youth” production of “Willy Wonka, Kids!” This tasty morsel will be served on Fri, July 29 and Sat. July 30 at 7:30 PM and on Sun. July 31 at 2:30 PM in the Auditorium of the Historic Milroy Elementary School, 215 N. Pleasant St. in Milroy, Indiana.

This show is a condensed version of the classic Roald Dahl story, featuring Charlie Bucket, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregard, Mike Teavee, Augustus Gloop and the King of Chocolate himself, Willy Wonka! Oh, and don’t forget the Oompa-Loompas!

All cast members are K-12, and Director Chante’ Wells, Asst. Directors Whitley Fada and Terri Sipes, and Producer Scott Evans certainly had their work cut out for them, with many talented youngsters auditioning. The cast includes: Willy Wonka: Wade Griffin; Narrator/Candy Man: Tony Gulley; Charlie Bucket: Tyler Amos; Augustus Gloop: Jordan Fritz; Mike Teavee: Jameson Dykes; Veruca Salt: Lilli Spaeth; Violet Beauregarde: Gabby Doyle; Phineous Trout: LJ Conrad; Grandpa Joe: Steven Locchetta; Grandma Josephine: Laura Smith; Grandpa George: Shawn Fisher; Grandma Georgina: Jen Lattner; Mr. Bucket: Hayden Meckes; Mrs. Bucket: Larissa Dunn; Mr. Salt: Justin Crowder; Mrs. Beauregarde: McKenzie Conrad; Mrs. Gloop: Sadie Collum; Ms. Teavee: Heather Snow; Oompa Loompas: Carly Buckley, Nick Amos, Jacob Amos, Casey Wood, Dominick Evans, Mackenzie Wells, Calista De Jager, Austin Dunn, Josie Doyle, Andrew Armstrong (& Charlie Bucket Understudy); Candy Shop kids/squirrels: Amelia: Kait Jett; Gwendolyn: Allison Jett; Maggie: Leah Noe; Matilda: Whitney Simpson; Sophie: Sarah Ford; Jamie: Monica Davis. Others involved include: Prod Work/Asst St Mngr: Monica Davis and Backstage: Katie Rankin, Bryce Conrad, Karlie Hall, and Holly Sams.

Tickets are on sale now from cast members or by calling 765-938-1711. Adults are $10 and Students K-12 are $5. Any child small enough to be held on your lap will be free.

Since this show is a condensed version of the movies most are familiar with, the RCP Board and WWK Directing team agreed that this show will be a double feature. The Opening Act will be presented as a kids only musicale– called Sweet Sounds– featuring the kids in the WWK cast and songs about candy, etc. You can expect to hear songs like: The Good Ship Lollipop, I Want Candy, Sugar Sugar to name a few. This will be followed by intermission then Act II will be Willy Wonka, Kids! in its entirety. We expect to have a runtime of approximately 2 hours.

Presenting a show in this school represents a return to RCP’s history. For years, RCP was headquartered in the Pleasant Street Playhouse, just a few blocks away in Milroy. It also presents a new set of challenges, and many, many benefits, one of which is the opportunity to sell refreshments in this facility.

Help RCP and the youth of our community close out a historic season in a new venue by entering a “world of pure imagination” with “Willy Wonka Kids!”