Steampunk sweetness
A family favorite gets reimagined in a futuristic fantasy.
Xavier Rosado as Willy Wonka, Geovanni Jiminez as Charlie Bucket and Hunter Leary as Grandpa Joe (left to right) rehearse a scene from ÒWilly WonkaÓ at the College of Central Florida in Ocala, Fla. On Monday, March 24, 2025. ÒRoald DahlÕs Willy WonkaÓ will be presented live on stage by CF Theatre April 3-6, 2025. [Mikala Grim] 2025.
Staging the scene in steampunk adds an element of edgy invention to the whimsical world of fiction’s favorite chocolatier—and the fantastical, futuristic aesthetic is just a backdrop for the exuberant performers who bring the magical world of Willy Wonka to life in the College of Central Florida’s spring musical.
With a cast of 30 students on stage singing and performing original choreography and stunts, the high-energy, family-friendly production of “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka” delivers the nostalgia of the classic children’s novel and the whimsical, recognizable tunes of the 1971 film reimagined through the logic-defying lens of the steampunk style. Incorporating elements of science fiction, fantasy and historical fiction, the set and costumes evoke old-world charm combined with a gear-driven industrial influence to achieve mechanical magic amid an array of candy-coated confections.
“Willy Wonka himself is an eccentric inventor. He fits naturally into this world with his gadgets and boundless invention,” explained Nonalee Davis, CF assistant professor of theatre and the musical’s director. “By staging this show with a steampunk approach, we were able to bring a contemporary flair and a sense of otherworldly magic that reinvents the tale for modern audiences while maintaining its whimsical heart. The 50 talented students involved in this extraordinary show are having the time of their lives and the result is an unforgettable blending of entertainment and education—in the most exciting way possible.”
The costumes were designed by Abigail Stallings, CF assistant professor of digital media, who said the metal and gears and leather “add elements to create a steampunk feel while staying true to the original lore.”
“What’s neat about steampunk is there’s no real time period,” she noted. “It’s kind of a mix of Victorian elements, but it’s also got this kind of inventive, futuristic feel with robots—the Oompa Loompas—and elements of metal. So, it takes everything out of a time period and that adds to the magic and the whimsy of the Willy Wonka story. It creates this unique world for the characters that I think is emphasized through the steampunk elements.”
It’s “a fun show to direct,” said Jason Longtin, CF professor of music and the show’s musical director. He conducts the 14-piece live orchestra, which includes 11 CF students.
“The tunes are catchy, and you’ll recognize them from the Gene Wilder movie,” he said. “You’ll know the songs, but not all of them. There are actually several new ones that were written specifically for the stage production.”
Director Davis has added a robotic dimension to the iconic Oompa Loompas as inventions brought to life from the mystical mind of Wonka himself and their dynamic choreography by CF dance instructor Justine McDaniel features experimental movement with lots of energetic stunts.
“There are definitely a lot of ‘wow’ moments,” McDaniel revealed. “There’s a lot of fun use of props with movement for the dancers.”
The cast describes the show as “playful” and “exciting.”
“Its strongest characteristic is its spectacle,” explained Hunter Leary, who plays Grandpa Joe, a former chocolate factory worker and the steadfast companion of his grandson, Charlie. “The audience will not run out of things to look at; the lights are beautiful, the set is magnificent and there will be a lot of very cool things going on.”
The adorable Geovanni Jiminez, who plays Charlie Bucket with an endearing, hopeful charm, urges audiences to “suspend your disbelief.”
“It’s so fun to be able to dive into this role and escape reality for a little bit and really be able to just enjoy the moment as Charlie and be happy all the time,” Jiminez said. “Audiences are going to love everything. It’s jam-packed, with the lighting, the set and the people. It looks awesome!”
Xavier Rosado, returning to the CF stage after his breakout role as Cedric in the fall 2024 production of “Puffs,” calls Wonka an “iconic” character he is “super excited” to play.
“Wonka is just so quirky and whimsical,” Rosado said. “He has his own style of everything, in acting, singing and movement, and that’s what I really love about this flexible character. Everybody knows Willy Wonka’s story, but they don’t know exactly this story with the steampunk and the changes we’ve made. Expect the unexpected!”
“Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka” is live on stage April 3-6 at the College of Central Florida Dassance Fine Arts Center at 3001 SW College Road, Ocala. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. April 3-5 and 3 p.m. April 6. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for non-CF students, and are free for CF students, faculty and staff.
For tickets, visit cf.universitytickets.com or call (352) 873-5810.
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