Things are about to get a little more zany in Squamish this holiday season - at least if Teira Andreeff has anything to say about it.
The 18-year-old makes her directorial debut with the Squamish Youth Theatre this winter with a wry and amusing musical presentation of Willy Wonka Jr., based on Roald Dahl's infamous novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Willy Wonka Jr. is about an offbeat, world-famous candy maker who hides five golden tickets in candy bars for five "lucky" children. Young, good-natured Charlie Bucket (played by 10-year-old David Thompson) wins one of the tickets hidden amongst thousands of Wonka chocolate bars earning him a tour through Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, led by the loveable, eccentric, but often mean-spirited Wonka himself (played by Jared Nash, 19). But Wonka has a hidden agenda, and during the tour he tests each child's character and honesty.
The production has made it to the silver screen twice - most recently starring Johnny Depp in the bombastic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as the much-loved original version Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory from 1971 starring Gene Wilder.
"Although it's a huge job, I'm looking very forward to taking on the task, it's a new challenge to me," said Andreeff, a stage staple with the young theatre troupe for more than half her life.
"I hope the audience will enjoy the show, it's going to be magical for the young and the old - all ages will enjoy it."
Andreeff, a recent Howe Sound Secondary grad currently studying drama and opera, said she is excited to see how creative the cast can be. "There are a lot of new actors in the show, and I think this will only help the production be as fresh as possible."
The production's cast is comprised entirely of young people. Not an adult will grace the stage, according to Squamish Youth Theatre founder and producer Adriane Polo who selected the play.
"This is theatre for youth, by youth. I have total faith," said Polo. "They have the imagination adults like me can't even come close to.
"This is the perfect musical theatre production for the family," she added.
"I wanted to do something with kids and teens -we have such amazing young talent in this town and it's the perfect Christmas play with all the song and dance, the kids and the chocolates."
Jennifer Carney, who is responsible for the fancy footwork in the recent productions of A Chorus Line and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, will expertly choreograph the show.
Performances will run at the Eagle Eye Theatre Dec. 6, 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday matinees will be given at 2:30 on Dec. 8 and 15. Tickets are not yet available.
