Charlie gets his Chocolate Factory

[ClapYo'Hands]

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will open at the London Palladium in June 2013 after a preview period.

Directed by Sam Mendes and choreographed by Peter Darling, the Shaiman and Wittman musical (with book by David Greig) is thought to be starring Michael Ball.

[246015]

Here's the link to the article confirming this:

http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831340011254/Charlie+%26+the+Chocolate+Factory+musical+premieres+at+Palladium%2C+June+2013.html

I for one am looking forward to this! I'm a huge Shaiman and Wittman fan, loving both "Hairspray" and "Catch Me If You Can". Can't wait to see what they do with this!

However, am I the only one who can't see Michael Ball doing this? Not because he can't do it, because I think he can do anything and he is an idol of mine, but because he may not want to. He recently said that he wants to be back on stage by Autumn 2013, saying he wants to do something he has had his eye on for a while. I just can't see it being "Charlie". I wait to be proved wrong though.

[Princeton Returns]

Im looking forward to this, more so for the physical production and how they will do it.

Michael is interviewed in the RUG programmes at the moment and asked whats next he says if he told them hed have to kill them. So he may well have something lined up. I cant see him in this, but who knows, he proved me wrong in Hairspray

[06s091]

Michael has been rumoured for this show for years now but I very highly doubt he will be in it.
I'm sure he could do it but as others have said he is planning to bring another show to the West End in the autumn. It's apparently a show he's been wanting to do for a while and now with the succes of Hairspray and Sweeney has the power to make it happen.
I have no idea what show it is - I've only heard that it's American. He is apparently working on getting the rights for the show at the moment.
I also expect his next album will be out in the spring and that he'll be touring after that.
There's also the question of the possible Broadway transfer of Sweeney...

[Princeton Returns]

Theres a rumour that Martin Short is playing Wonka.

[246015]

I did not know who he was so had to Google him. I recognise the face but am not sure what I have seen him in. He certainly looks the part, uncanninly similar to Gene Wilder in the original film



It seems he has also worked with Shaiman and Wittman before, as they co-created his one-man Broadway show "Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me" in 2006, so his involvement in "Charlie" would indeed make a lot of sense.



Also according to Wikipedia (take this with a pinch of salt) although the role of Leo Bloom (another Gene Wilder role) in "The Producers" was originated on Broadway by Matthew Broderick, Mel Brooks first approached Short about doing the part opposite Nathan Lane. However, Short apparently did not like the idea of moving his family from their home in Los Angeles to New York for a year so ultimately declined.

My only issue with this casting is that he is not a "name". That does not bother me in the slightest, but it may put off the general public buying tickets as they may wish to see somebody more well-known in the role. Saying that however, "Matilda" does not have any "names" in the cast and we all know how much that has taken off. Do you think "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is enough of a brand name to sell on its own merit without any need for stunt casting?

[Nickhutson]

Martin Short is an extremely funny, witty and talented actor and comedian. Famous for Saturday Night Live and being Canada's other funny guy (the other being Michael Myers) - I think it's a nice idea.

However, I can more-so see Michael Ball playing Wonka.

[abitoftap]

Wasn't there talk of Michael Ball and Barnum?

[MusicalBoy]

Martin Short is ABSOLUTELY a name!

I think it would be a huge coup to have him involved in this production, he seems perfect for it!

[Princeton Returns]

Michael ball would have to go on a hell of a fitness drive to play Barnum

[Phantom of London]

Martin Short is ABSOLUTELY a name!

ABSOLUTELY, WHO IS HE?

[songanddanceman2]

I LOVE Martin Short, and his one man show Fame Becomes Me was hysterical.

On a more serious note.....Umpa Lumpa's frighten me