Grant High School to unwrap classic 'Willy Wonka' beginning Friday

Grant Community High School in Fox Lake is presenting Roald Dahl's "Willy Wonka."

According to the show's publicity manager, Emily Audrain, the story is the same as always: Five children find Golden Tickets, allowing them access to Willy Wonka's mysterious candy factory. Each of the kids meets an unfortunate fate in the factory (though in the end we see they're all OK), except Charlie. Charlie wins the entire factory and his poor family is saved.

For Grant's production, children from the community will play the Oompa Loompas, making for a bigger cast and getting the community involved, Audrain said. Some of the scenes also were taped ahead of time, to be used in a "newscast" that shows each of the kids finding their Golden Ticket, she added. "However, our biggest pride (other than the cast) is probably the set," Audrain said. "Students have put in hours and hours of work, and it looks awesome so far. The entire thing moves, and will eventually accommodate a real flying 'Wonka-vator' and rigs so that some characters can fly in one of the factory's rooms."

The cast has pulled the show together despite a big hurdle: The play's director shattered his heel at the annual Grant "Battle of the Bands."

He's been out ever since then, so a lot of students other staffers have stepped up and taken on more tasks - especially Art Director Jeff Austin, Audrain said.

The show opens on Friday, April 16, at 7 p.m. and continues at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 17; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18; 7 p.m. Friday, April 23; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 24; and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 25. The shows will be held at the high school, 285 E. Grand Avenue. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for students and seniors.