Willy’s Chocolate Experience parody musical announces casting

Casting has been announced for the upcoming staged reading of Willy’s Candy Spectacular: A Musical Parody at the Edinburgh Fringe.

The show takes a satirical swipe at the disastrous Willy’s Chocolate Experience, a poorly delivered immersive experience in Glasgow which became a viral sensation earlier this year.

Leading the ensemble as the co-narrators are two stars of the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt), who will appear from 9 to 18 August, and Paris Themmen (Mike Teevee), who will step in from 19 to 26 August.

Joining them is Kirsty Paterson, an original Willy’s Chocolate Experience cast member who become known as Sad Oompa Loompa.

The cast is rounded out by Shelly Regner (Pitch Perfect series), Eric Petersen (School of Rock, Shrek: The Musical), Nicole Greenwood (In Plain Sight), Wilkie Ferguson (Broadway’s Motown: The Musical), Cassandra Parker (Cabaret), Monica Evans and Chris Villain.

The show runs at the Edinburgh Pleasance King Dome from 9 to 26 August.

Director Andy Fickman said: “I feel like Willy Wonka himself standing at the gates to the factory with this remarkable cast all arriving with their golden tickets ready to perform. Working with this glorious cast in this dreamy musical is already a joy, but to add the original Veruca Salt and Mike Teevee to the mix – my head is having an explosion of sweet treats!”

Willy’s Candy Spectacular: A Musical Parody features songs by Riki Lindhome, Daniel Mertzlufft, Doug Rockwell and Tova Litvin, Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, Megan Cavallari, Kate Miccuci, and Jennifer Lucy Cook and Richard Kraft.

It’s produced by Richard Kraft of Kraft-Engel Productions.

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