CMU School of Drama


Wednesday, July 05, 2017

Chocolate Aplenty, but Nary a Wonka Bar to Be Found

The New York Times: The sign over the door of the Lunt-Fontanne Theater reads “Wonka Chocolate Factory.” But at the concession stands inside, there are no Wonka Bars to be found.

As a musical adaptation of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” settles in for an extended run on Broadway, the candy at the center of Roald Dahl’s perennial children’s best seller has gone missing, vanished in a haze of marketing missteps, shifting strategies and corporate indifference.

2 comments:

Sammy Williams said...

My initial reaction to the first few statements was one of mild confusion. How could a theater be home to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and not sell some type of Wonka themed candy? I was saddened to find out that it wasn't a decision the producers from Warner Brothers made by choice. Until reading this article, I had no idea that the Wonka candy brand had shut down, or even that it had been around for such a long time. I remember seeing the Wonka logo on the wrappers of Laffy Taffy and SweeTarts when I was younger, but oddly enough, I don't remember seeing a Wonka chocolate bar. I also never knew the company was kickstarted by a breakfast food company in the 70s. I hope Nestle can bring back some of the Wonka candies before Charlie and the Chocolate Factory finishes their run on Broadway!
-Sammy Williams

Anonymous said...

I watched the show once in London on a school trip, but was too jet-lagged to get up and buy concessions. I did, however, overhear a conversation about how there were no Wonka Bars at the concession stand. I just thought that the Wonka Bars might have run out somehow. A whole year later, when I saw the giant ad for the show on Broadway, I decided to watch it again. Being a huge fan of Christian Borle, I was extremely excited to be able to watch him again after Something Rotten closed. With great excitement, I headed to the theatre and very much enjoyed the first half of the show. However, when I decided to grab a few candy bars from the concession stand during intermission, I was utterly disappointed: THERE WAS NO WONKA CHOCOLATE! How can one do the show Charlie and the Chocolate Factory without the Wonka candies?! I asked the lady behind the stand and she looked at me like I was crazy! This in a way ruined the night for me despite that the show was absolutely amazing. When the audience purchase tickets and come into the theatre, they not only buy themselves seats in the house, but they will also expect the whole experience to be enjoyable, including the concessions. Especially at a show like this where one of the most important themes is food, concessions related to the theme of the show cannot be overlooked. I hope that Nestle can continue making these wonderful candy bars.

Brandy