It's the perfect time of year for chocolate factories

Jamie Ulmer • December 4, 2024

It's a sugary adventure, with a lesson for the holidays

Welcome to our 2024 holiday production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! We truly appreciate you joining us during this busy time of year for this Roald Dahl favorite.


The lasting influence of this story, first published in 1964, is undeniable. The book is considered a classic and has been reprinted (and thoughtfully revised and updated) many times over the years. For some, their introduction to the story came with the 1971 film version starring Gene Wilder as Wonka; for others, it was the 2005 Tim Burton film with Johnny Depp. Still others may have first met Wonka in the 2023 Timothée Chalamet-led origin film, Wonka.

 

Like a Wonka-inspired confection, this 2017 stage adaption pulls multiple ingredients together. Familiar songs from the 1971 movie, such as “Pure Imagination” and “Candy Man” are mixed with new songs and elements from the book.


While it might seem unusual at first to bring this show to the stage during the holiday season, it's actually quite fitting. Of course, there’s the candy and sweets—always a favorite for kids (and adults) this time of year. But we’re also reminded of the consequences of greed and selfishness as the children and their parents tour a factory that would fail any OSHA inspection. Ultimately, it’s Charlie’s kindness and empathy that lead to his reward—a valuable reminder for kids and grownups alike during the holiday season, and perhaps even more so this year. In that way, the story offers a kind of Christmas Carol-esk lesson in the importance of sharing wealth and helping others.


Regardless of if you take away the moral lesson or simply revel in the sugary entertainment, thank you for making Theatre Lawrence a part of your holiday season.


Enjoy the show

Jamie Ulmer

Executive Director

Theatre Lawrence News & Announcements

Escape to those summer vibes

By Jamie Ulmer • June 2, 2025
What better way to kick off those laid-back summer vibes than with our season-closing musical, Escape to Margaritaville ? The music of Jimmy Buffett invites us to relax and enjoy ourselves—and let’s be honest, we could all use a little “License to Chill.” But what is it about Buffett and his music that inspired devoted fans, restaurants, resorts, and of course, a Broadway musical? Now, I’m no Parrothead, but it doesn’t take much to see the appeal. Buffett’s music blends multiple genres and sounds—country, rock, and Caribbean influences—that celebrate escapism, a relaxed attitude, and that unmistakable “beach life” feeling. His songs are relatable. We all want to find joy, freedom, and sometimes a little redemption, preferably with a dash of humor. It all adds up to a timeless appeal. Buffett’s music is custom-made for summer BBQs, sipping drinks poolside, or just taking a mental vacation in the middle of a hectic workday. That music, of course, led to an entire culture around being a Parrothead - Hawaiian shirts, margaritas, and chill vibes became the trademarks of devoted fans who try not to take life too seriously. And then there’s the business empire, which may contribute most to the enduring celebration of the “Buffett lifestyle,” even after his passing. He turned his persona into a brand—complete with restaurants, resorts (including one opening just down the road in a few weeks), and more. So now, it’s time to sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy your official start to summer. Enjoy the show, Jamie Ulmer Executive Director

Margarita pre-show class June 20

May 30, 2025
Join us for a presentation by margarita expert, Phil Bradley, on Friday, June 20 from 6-7 PM. This special pre-show event will feature: Tips on how to spice up your Margarita Salt vs Sugar On the rock vs frozen  Fancy embellishments Includes 1 drink ticket for a margarita at the TL bar AND MORE! Limited Availability! When purchasing tickets for the June 20 performance you will be given the opportunity to add this experience for $10 per person. If you are not attending the performance, you can still boost your margarita skills and be part of this bonus event for $20. Click here to purchase EVENT ONLY TICKETS.

Hey, how's it going?

By Jamie Ulmer • May 13, 2025
How are things at the theatre? That’s the standard way I’m greeted when out and about. I certainly don’t mind, and it’s more interesting than the non-interest greeting of “how are you?” The theatre is a much more interesting topic of conversation than I am. At the same time, I know people don’t have time for a complete answer of how things are going at Theatre Lawrence. In short, good – busy as always. The slightly longer answer is – very busy but we’re keeping all the plates spinning and proud of what we’re achieving. Somehow, we are just a few weeks away from wrapping up the regular season with “Escape to Margaritaville.” Things are gearing up for all our summer youth programs including starting rehearsals for “The Lightning Thief” and the Penguins are hard at work on “Little Mermaid, Jr”. The new season will be here before we know it. Early bird season tickets for the 2025-2026 season are available now, and we’re in the midst of all the planning and staffing up for those shows. It’s also a time of challenges. We are planning our way forward following the loss of our friend and colleague Mary Ann Saunders. Like many individuals and organizations, we are keeping an eye on the latest developments from the Federal government and how it may impact us and our community going forward. Overall, though, things at the theatre are going well, with solid attendance, and excitement about future projects. See you at the theatre Jamie Ulmer Executive Director
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