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

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Next to Normal starts season journey

By Jamie Ulmer • September 8, 2025

Welcome to the 2025–2026 Theatre Lawrence Season! This year promises a wide variety of theatrical destinations designed to entertain, expand, and enliven audiences and participants alike. We begin our journey with the Pulitzer Prize–winning musical Next to Normal . This groundbreaking work opened on Broadway in 2009, after first appearing as a 10-minute workshop in 1998. An unconventional topic for a musical, the show centers on a family navigating grief and mental health. In her book Feeling Pain is Normal, Rebecca Cecilia Kidwell writes, “Next to Normal provides a safe community for grief. Many of the audience members have experienced loss, and many of them will cry and hug each other—even if they are strangers—because they finally feel that someone is permitting them to be open with their emotions.” Paired with a contemporary rock score, the show asks honest, sometimes uncomfortable, questions. In rehearsals, we’ve reflected on how the themes and emotions explored by the characters are universal, reaching beyond the specific circumstances of the script. The excitement in our acting community has been remarkable: over 70 performers auditioned for this six-person cast. Casting was both a challenge and a gift, resulting in a group of performers who are giving their all every night as we explore this complex, rewarding material together. All of this makes me truly excited to share Next to Normal with you. Theatre offers the unique opportunity to share an experience—even when it is challenging. We thank you for joining us on this journey and encourage you to talk with one another, share your feelings, and seek support if this story resonates deeply with you. Enjoy the show! Jamie Ulmer Executive Director