Original ‘Willy Wonka’ Stars Join Wonka Musical Parody

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory stars Julie Dawn Cole and Paris Themmen have joined a new musical parody.

The two actors — who played Veruca Salt and Mike Teavee respectively alongside Gene Wilder in the original 1971 movie — will take part in a live stage reading of Willy’s Candy Spectacular, which is inspired by the disastrous “Willy’s Chocolate Experience” event in Glasgow earlier this year.

The upcoming musical parody will perform live stage readings at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with the former child stars each stepping in as narrators.

Cole will be part of the cast from August 9 to 18, with Themmen then stepping into the role from August 19 to 26.

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The musical is inspired by the real life Wonka event which was originally advertised as an “immersive experience” as organizers promised a “magical realm” for visitors.

Although the promotional material was full of promise thanks to AI-generated images, the actual event was housed in a warehouse which left families devastated.

Kirsty Paterson, who went viral as the Sad Oompa Loompa in the real life experience, has joined the cast for the live reading.

The Little Mermaid Live producer Richard Kraft is on board with his Kraft-Engel Productions, while he is co-writing the book for the musical with Andy Fickman.

The music has been written by Riki Lindhome, Daniel Mertzlufft, Doug Rockwell and Tova Litvin, Alan Zachary Michael Weiner, Megan Cavallari, Kate Miccuci, Jennifer Lucy Cook and Kraft.

The original event was helmed by House of Illuminati, and the company’s director Billy Coull previously apologized for the disappointment.

He told STV News earlier this year: “I’m really shocked that the event had fallen short of the expectations of people on paper. My vision of the artistic rendition of a well-known book didn’t come to fruition. For that, I am absolutely truly and utterly sorry.”