The golden ticket to an unforgettable experience awaits this July.
Roald Dahl’s scrumptiously inventive universe is set to unfold in Manila as the beloved Broadway musical makes its premiere at The Theatre at Solaire on July 8 and runs till July 26, 2026.
One of the world’s most celebrated children’s stories, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been reimagined for the stage with vibrant new sets, unforgettable musical numbers, and a fresh dose of charm in this production presented by Broadway International Group and Broadway Asia.
Roald Dahl’s novel was first published in 1964, and quickly became one of his most beloved works. The book tells the tale of young Charlie Bucket, a poor boy who wins a golden ticket to the mysterious and fantastical chocolate factory owned by the eccentric Willy Wonka. Inside the factory, Charlie and four other children embark on a series of bizarre and magical adventures, each of which reflects their personalities and moral choices.
The book was an immediate success, praised for its originality, its inventive world-building, and its appeal to both children and adults. It has remained a staple of children’s literature ever since, translated into dozens of languages and adapted into various formats.
During a sit-down interview, resident director Drew Cipillone stated that the production will have a lot of new elements to bring to global audiences. “The overall story is a lot more imagination. It is very, very innovative with the new technology that we’ve got. We’ve got new music, some original songs from the first film but we also have this incredible score that’s brand new. We’ve got a lot more set design, magic, and I think that is something that’s really exciting.”
“Not every single show is the same. Every single time you come you actually see things that you wouldn’t have seen the first time you saw it.”
The first film adaptation, titled Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, was released in 1971, starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. The movie infused it with a light-hearted, musical tone. Although the film was not an immediate box office success, it gained a cult following over time, particularly for Wilder’s iconic portrayal of the enigmatic Wonka.
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“The thing about live theater is anything can happen. There’s a few adlibs in the show that changes every single performance as well which is really exciting. I think just that experience… to see things on a completely different way is just incredible,” Cipillone says.
Daniel Plimpton who plays Willy Wonka said this character was not on his radar to play until he came across the audition and he started working on it. “When you think about a role that has been in literature for 60 years and on film for 50 years, there are a couple of key things about him that I think hold true throughout all those versions and that is his incredible ability to create. And then on the other side of that is loneliness and his distrust of people, and his deep desire to find someone to pass his legacy on to.”
Plimpton also adds that he just has to trust his own sensibilities, quirkiness, kindness, wackiness and throw everything he has to a character like Willy Wonka. “Just throwing myself into it is a blast.”
Cohen Toukatly plays the titular Charlie. He brings a much youthful energy and enthusiasm in the role. During the sit-down interview, he was equal parts playful yet precocious. He was measured in his answers without taking himself too seriously. He seems pitch-perfect for the role.
Fresh from a sold-out run at Shanghai Culture Square in November 2025, where it was met with exuberant audience response, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory arrives in Manila as part of its international tour, bringing Dahl’s fantastical confectionery landscape vividly to life on stage.
Theater fans can enjoy early access to tickets through UnionBank of the Philippines from January 12 to 15, 2026, available via TicketWorld. In addition, GMG Productionsis offering a limited early seating waitlist, now open at gmg-productions.comuntil January 14 at 11:59 pm (Philippine time). Tickets will go on general public sale on January 17 at TicketWorld.
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