‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ Broadway Musical And Wonka-Themed Restaurant Coming In 2017

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the musical will open on Broadway next spring, perfectly timed with the launch of the Willie Wonka-themed restaurant at Universal Studios in Orlando. The producers of the musical confirmed on Thursday that the production will be based on Roald Dahl’s classic novel that also inspired the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Deadline notes that the production will feature music by Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award winner Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award winners Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, and a book by David Grieg. Wittman and Shaiman are the same duo behind Hairspray and Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.

Attention @roald_dahl fans! Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is coming to Broadway in spring 2017! @nytimeshttps://t.co/AmjJwx3Hcc

— Puffin Books (USA) (@PuffinBooksUSA) March 18, 2016

The show has been running on London’s West End since June 2013, under Sam Mendes’ direction. There are conflicting reports about whether or not he will serve as one of the producers on the Broadway staging, which will be helmed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien.

“Since the first production was created for London it’s only fair we do an American version,” O’Brien said in a statement. New songs are being crafted as well.

The fantastical film follows poor, young Charlie Bucket as he receives a Golden Ticket to visit Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory with four other children from around the world. The 2005 musical film directed by Tim Burton was a spin-off to the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory directed by Mel Stuart, and starred Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. Burton’s version starred Johnny Depp in the title role. It was released to critical praise and earned over $470 million worldwide.

Author Roald Dahl disapproved of the 1971 film adaptation and refused to grant the studio film rights to produce the sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. In 1991, when Warner Bros. wanted to purchase the rights to produce a big screen version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, they entered discussions with the Dahl estate which lasted until 1998, with Dahl’s widow and daughter receiving total artistic control over the project. In a 2005 interview with IGN, Depp revealed the inspiration for his interpretation of Wonka.

As a kid, from what I understand, I’d like to think I was like Charlie, but I don’t think I was. My [mother] says that I was… she uses the term hellion. I wasn’t obnoxious or precocious, but I was curious. A lot of practical jokes and stuff like that. I got on her nerves, basically. I pissed her off quite frequently.

A Charlie and The Chocolate Factory themed restaurant at Universal? Yes, please. #GetInMyMouth https://t.co/3xbq8bCV5J

— Tim Burger (@tinyonwirk) March 16, 2016

Fans of the story who have always imagined what it would be like to experience the vivid candy wonderland, will get a chance to do just that next year when Universal Studios in Orlando opens Toothsome Chocolate Factory, a chocolate restaurant inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Best of all, it will be located at Universal CityWalk, so you won’t have to pay park admission to visit!

The restaurant “will transport you into a 19th century-inspired Steampunk chocolate factory” that includes “towering smoke stacks, funky gadgetry, and staff wearing unique Steampunk fashion,” according to Universal’s blog.

Universal Studio’s official press release reads as follows.

“Opening later this year, The Toothsome Chocolate Factory will transport you into a 19th century-inspired Steampunk chocolate factory. You’ll indulge your appetite amidst towering smoke stacks, funky gadgetry, and staff wearing unique Steampunk fashion. The food will take your imagination to new heights with a menu that features unique twists on classic steak, seafood and pasta entrees, gourmet burgers, sandwiches, incredible salads, all-day brunch and so much more. And the desserts will be simply…stunning. … You’ll even be able to watch chocolate creations being made—and purchase your very own from the restaurant’s retail shop to take home and enjoy.”

Buzz Feed notes that Universal’s chocolate factory will serve “unique twists on classic steak, seafood and pasta entrees, gourmet burgers, sandwiches, incredible salads, all-day brunch and so much more.”

What about Wonka Bars?

The Wonka Bar is fictional candy bar that appeared in the novel and both film adaptations, as well as the 2013 London play, each with different packaging. Varieties of Wonka Bars have been mass marketed to the public by the Willy Wonka Candy Company, a division of Nestlé. Unfortunately, the bars were discontinued in 2010 due to poor sales.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Broadway musical follows another London-based adaptation of a Dahl book, Matilda The Musical, which has run on Broadway for three years, per USA Today.

[Images courtesy Cindy Ord/Getty Images]