The journey of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from the West End to Broadway and beyond is a masterclass in "script repackaging." With each iteration, the show was overhauled—a new director, a revised book, a reconceived score, a different cast, and a unique visual aesthetic—to suit a new audience and venue.
The script opens with Willy Wonka disguised as a local shopkeeper, introducing the audience to his world ( "The Candy Man" ). We meet Charlie Bucket, who lives in a cramped shack with his mother and four bedridden grandparents. Despite their poverty, Charlie writes letters to Wonka inventing new candy ideas ( "Willy Wonka! Willy Wonka!" ).
(They walk through a room filled with lollipop trees and chocolate rivers) The journey of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The musical's creative team has worked tirelessly to bring the world of Willy Wonka to life on stage, with a range of memorable songs, including "The Candy Man," "Willy Wonka," and "I Want It Now." The show's talented cast brings the characters to life, transporting audiences to a world of pure imagination.
The story of the script's evolution is a case study in how a show can be fundamentally remade for a new audience. The musical, with a book by David Greig and music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, first premiered on London's West End in 2013, enjoying a critically mixed but commercially successful run directed by Sam Mendes. However, when it came time to transfer to Broadway in 2017, the producers opted for a complete overhaul. Rather than a simple transfer, they created what was essentially a new show, replacing the director and choreographer with Jack O'Brien and Joshua Bergasse, and tasking the creative team with a major reconception. Despite their poverty, Charlie writes letters to Wonka
11. “Strike That, Reverse It” – Willy Wonka, Oompa-Loompas 12. “The View from Here” – Charlie, Grandpa Joe 13. “The Bubble Gum Song” – Violet, Oompa-Loompas 14. “Vidiots” – Mike Teavee, Oompa-Loompas 15. “Veruca’s Nutcracker Sweet” – Veruca, Oompa-Loompas 16. “Auf Wiedersehen Augustus Gloop” – Oompa-Loompas 17. “It’s Teavee Time!” (reprise) 18. “If Your Father Were Here” (reprise) 19. “Pure Imagination” – Willy Wonka, Charlie 20. “Finale / The Candy Man” (reprise) – Full Company
Charlie is the only child remaining. Wonka reveals that the entire contest was a ruse to find an honest, imaginative heir to inherit his candy empire. Charlie and Grandpa Joe board the Great Glass Elevator, flying high above the town ( "The View From Here" ). Wonka passes his notebook of secrets to Charlie, securing the Bucket family's future. Key Musical Numbers in the Broadway Script The story of the script's evolution is a
The eccentric, enigmatic owner of the chocolate factory. He guides the audience and the Golden Ticket winners through his domain. Requires a charismatic actor with excellent comedic timing.
If you decide to abandon the "repack" hunt and go legal, here is what the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Broadway script looks like.
If you find a copy labeled "Broadway Script Repack," what specific content should you expect? Do not confuse this with the 1971 film script or the 2005 Burton script. Here is the breakdown of the (the official repack).