Willy Wonka Kids comes to town The fifth graders at Nederland Elementary School entertained their fellow students, families and community members with the musical Willy Wonka Kids. The Oompa Loompas played an important role in Willy Wonka’s factory. They also had fantastic outfits. PHOTO BY SARA SANDSTROM[/caption]

The fifth graders at Nederland Elementary School (NES) wowed the audiences with their performance of Willy Wonka Kids on March 16. Music teacher Alison Bagli directed the production.

All the characters you love from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory were on the stage. The Candy Man and all of the fifth graders opened with songs to introduce the musical. Gum chewing obsessed Violet Beauregarde blew up very large after chewing gum from Willy Wonka’s factory. Augustus Gloop disappeared into a river of chocolate. The Oopma Loompas were an integral part of the factory and Charlie Bucket and Grandpa Joe burped their way through a song after drinking the Fizzy Lifting Drink. During the performance for the elementary school this scene generated the most laughs. Of course, Willy Wonka was the tour guide.

The fifth graders were dedicated to every aspect of this musical. Bagli said, “From building props and painting sets in art class, to rehearsing songs, scenes, and choreography in music class, the NES fifth graders took full ownership over the show, and it was a glowing success. Their passion and excitement truly showed throughout the process.”

Emery Peiffer who played Grandpa Joe had this to say after his musical debut, “It is very exciting! I have never done anything like it before, and I really like singing.”

A production like this also takes the support of parents and the community. For the evening show the fifth graders performed in front of an audience of over 200 people.

Bagli also had support from NES art teacher Susan Blurton, fifth grade teachers Danielle Andrews and Corrie Beauvineau, retired teachers Susan Brantley and John Brown, and NES parent Will Ford.

All the NES fifth graders deserve a golden ticket for their success in their production of Willy Wonka Kids.

The fifth graders are:

Jackson Bliss

Alder Bradley

Olivia Burns-Berg

Corbin Coil

Luke Collins

Ayla Dewart

Elizabeth Karowe

Anne Kress

Flynn Madden

Archer Meyers

Ziylah Nicholson

Emery Peiffer

Nora Shurr

Annabelle Tomlinson

Penelope Turner

Elise Brenick

Shameus Cannon

Annabella Dobson-Beck

Wyatt Dodge

Skyler Dulude

Finn Fagan

Miles Frey

Yisrael Hirsch

Finnegan Leavens

Camille Lefaiver

Leo Lopez

Emmeline Rosenblum

Ciel Seavers

Shayna Siegal Gane

Michael Wilson

Max Wrobel