Willy Wonka Jr.

Don’t miss the third annual Penguin Project production! This year, our amazingly talented cast of 31 artists will perform Willy Wonka Jr. Mark your calendars for April 24 and 25 and get your tickets today! Performances will be at the Mid Atlantic Community Church (MACC) on Rt. 424 (Davidsonville Road) in Gambrills. Tickets are just $15. Seating is general admission.

The musical is based on Roald Dahl’s story about an eccentric candy maker who hides five golden tickets in his chocolate bars. The winners of the tickets get to tour Wonka’s chocolate factory and receive a lifetime supply of chocolate. The show can be enjoyed by kids of all ages.

WILLY WONKA JR. CAST

Willy Wonka: Kirsten Seidler
Charlie Bucket: Claire Brabazon
Grandpa Joe: Victor Parker
Grandma Josephine: Bethany Henceroth
Grandpa George: Kremena Lephew
Grandma Georgina: Stella Stakolosa
Mr. Bucket: Shane Coleman
Mrs. Bucket: Erin Bryl
The Candy Man: Andrew Ladd
Augustus Gloop: Sean Doordan
Mrs. Gloop: Rose Dowling
Violet Beauregard: Riley Roberson
Mrs. Beauregard: Kate Hayden
Veruca Salt: Eva Levering
Mr. Salt: Jonah Schultheis
Mike Teevee: Mark Campbell
Mrs. Teevee: Caroline Crowder
Matilda (candy kid): Chloe Mobley
James: (candy kid): Colt Runion
Phineous Trout: Garrison Green
Camera Person: Morgan Johnston

Ensemble:

Brigid Bryl, Alina Chesla, Evan Fenner, Ainsley Finnis, Alexander Fritz, Mackenzie Jackson, Colin Russell, Sunita Samal, Jacob Totah, Olivia Vachon

Supported by Mentors:

Abram Alberto, Pearl Alexander, Billy Bennett, Mac Brabazon, Amelia Burgos, Lucas Burgos, Klara Case, Rylee Case, Maylana de Conceicao, Hailey Fontanella, Maddie Fuchs, Cora Gonzalez, Sloane Heffern, Flannery Lapriola, Sadie Kollias, Lauren Leeds, Caroline Magill, Lilee Miller, Breckin McClellan, Mason McCorkle, Georgie Murtaugh, Abigail Parks, Shelby Parks, Lily Pessagno-Longacre, Abby Puglia, Ingrid Risner, Phoebe Risner, Titus Risner, Lily Schmidt, Lauren Sellman, Journey Simon, Zoё Sommers, Kristen Stevens, James Sweatt, Anna Wilkins, Story Wilkins, Cadence Wrotny, Ashton Van Bergen

What Is The Penguin Project?
Founded 21 years ago by Dr. Andy Morgan, The Penguin Project is an award-winning nationwide program that provides a supportive, encouraging theater experience for children and young adults with disabilities. Beginning in 2024, Talent Machine became the first theater in Central Maryland to partner with The Penguin Project to produce one show annually featuring young artists with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and other neurological disorders. By providing access to community theater, this initiative demonstrates that the special challenges of a disability should not handicap a child’s ability to participate in, enjoy and learn from life’s experiences.

Besides the artists on stage, who is involved? The talented cast members are joined on stage by a dedicated group of “peer mentors” – young people the same age who volunteer to work side-by-side with the performers through four months of rehearsals and the final shows.

In 2024, The Talent Machine produced Annie Jr. and in 2025, we produced High School Musical Jr., and audiences gave our artists and mentors standing ovations in recognition of the dedication, hard work and heart that went into this production. For nearly all the artists, this was their first time on stage.