The Signal Staff

Santa Claus is coming to San Jacinto College-Central Campus and is bringing all his toys and elves. San Jacinto College Theatre and Film department is having rehearsals for their 12th annual Christmas Musical. The musical features popular songs that we know by heart such as: Jingle Bells, Mr. Grinch and Frosty the Snow Man.

Each year a new cast participates in the musical.

“This is an original script that came from an improv in one of our classes where the improv topic was Santa Claus versus the Grinch as an idea for the show,” said Jerry Ivins, director of theatre and film. “We change the script periodically from year to year. We have different talents that come in and can do different impersonations, we add songs and take away songs and change things a little bit.”

The concept of this show is “to offer a new tradition like the Nutcracker but with a little twist, unlike other communities and organizations in Clear Lake and downtown Houston that do the same Christmas show every year,” Ivins said.

The play consists of 80 cast members who include: Santa Claus, The Grinich, (the play’s version of Dr. Seuss’ Grinch), elves, toys and a children’s choir.  This musical is very high-energy and has a lot of chase scenes. The cast members are all members of the local community, including area schools and students from San Jacinto-Central Campus Theatre and Film program.

“We love to work with the local community because we can use this as a recruitment effort for future San Jacinto College students,” said Jay Thomas, co-director. “Our students do not only work with other students but sometimes work with other members that can help further along their career.”

A special performance is scheduled for Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. for local-area day care and elementary schools. Opening night for the general public is Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. The play will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday for two weeks. On Sundays, the showtime is at 2:30 p.m.

Intermission remains an interesting part of this musical because the audience can come up to the stage and sit on Santa’s lap.

Reporter: Daniel Benitez
Videographer: Jeffry Tupa

Exclusive interview with “Jerry Doc” Ivins, director of “Santa’s Christmas Magic: The Musical,” and Jay Thomas, co-director, at San Jacinto College-Central campus. The Department of Theatre and Film presents a family celebration “Santa’s Christmas Magic: The Musical” with live toys this year.

Reporter: Daniel Benitez
Videographer: Jeffry Tupa

An interview with Jerry Ivins, director of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” at San Jacinto College. This play will be showing on Oct. 9 and will be showing for a two-weekend run schedule.

The Signal Staff

Oompa-loompa-doompadee-doo, San Jac has a brand new show for you.

The San Jacinto Community College-Central Campus theater program is rehearsing for its production of “Willy Wonka,” opening Oct. 9 and continuing for a two-weekend run schedule.

Acting a scene from Act 2 in “Willy Wonka,” the characters crowd together to fit in a cramped space. Pictured left to right: Lizz Redpath, theater major; Corie Matthews; Noah Mowry, theater major; and Sarah Kent.

“Willy Wonka is based on the novel ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’” said Jerry Ivins, director of theater and film.  “This production is going to be a combination of the first film and the novel.”

The original movie production of the book was released in 1971, with the main protagonist, Willy Wonka, played by Gene Wilder.  Later, in 2005, the book was again adapted to film, albeit in a much darker fashion, by director Tim Burton, with Johnny Depp playing the candy maker.

Ivins wants to keep this production in line with the first two incarnations of “Wonka” to provide a community-friendly show for the area patrons.

“Two years ago we did ‘The Rocky Horror Show,’ and the year before that we did a pretty controversial show called ‘The Laramie Project,’” Ivins said.  “We felt that having back-to-back shows like that really allows [the theater program] to stretch our artistic muscles, but we needed a few years where we could go back to serving the community.  These last few shows have been less focused on the academic challenge and more beneficial to the surrounding community.”

The past productions of the theater troupe have included “The Sound of Music,” “High School Musical” and “The Odd Couple.”

The cast size of San Jac’s production is nothing less than staggering.  In named roles alone, the production has reached upwards of 70 cast members.  However, Ivins is planning on doing something a bit more daunting when it comes to the second act.

“We are hoping to cast about 100 Oompa-loompas for the second act, so that they are all pouring in from every direction and participating in the musical numbers,” Ivins said.

Ivins welcomes all, from ages 4 years old and up, to audition.

“If the kids have experience, that’s great, but if they don’t and want to do their first show, that is wonderful,” Ivins said.  “[The theater program] sees it as job security.  If we can get young kids up on stage, we hope that they will have an interest in the stage for the rest of their lives.”

The story of Wonka revolves around a recluse candymaker who has shut himself in his factory and away from society for several years.  An announcement is made public that Wonka is opening his chocolate factory and giving away a lifetime supply of chocolate to the five lucky winners who find a golden ticket hidden in wrappers of his confections.  Chaos ensues, sending everyone to flock to their town’s trader of teeth-rotting treats.

Michael Carver, second year theater major, portrays the film’s first candyman, “Bill.”

“Everyone knows me as Bill the candyman,” Carver said.  “As part of the theater program, I was required to audition.  I first went for Wonka, but was told that I was one of the best dancers, so they picked me as Bill.  I serve as the kids’ introduction to this candy.  The candy by itself has a unique characteristic, but when Wonka adds his golden tickets into the mix, it adds another flavor.  It is not just a sweet treat, but it has this golden opportunity attached to it.”

During rehearsals and interviews, all fingers pointed in the direction of one student for the perfect available man for the role of Wonka.

Noah Mowry, freshman theater major, fills the candy-coated shoes of Willy Wonka.

“Wonka was my first choice,” Mowry said.  “Not because I wanted to be the star, but because he was my favorite character.  I want to take Gene Wilder’s character and apply it to the stage.  The story, plus the addition of using real kids on stage, gives the show even more potential to be inspiring.”

San Jacinto College–Central Campus will be performing “Willy Wonka” Oct. 9-10 and Oct. 16-17 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 11 and Oct. 18 at 2:30 p.m. in the Slocomb Auditorium, located at 8060 Spencer Hwy., Pasadena, TX 77505. For more information, contact the box office at 281-476-1828. Ticket prices are $15 the day of the performance, and $13 if picked up at least two days in advance. Purchase tickets at the Powell Arena Box Office on Central Campus, open Monday through Friday, 1:30 – 5 p.m.

Below is an interview with Jerry Ivins, director of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” at San Jacinto College. The play will be showing on Oct. 9 and will show for a two-weekend run schedule.

MUSICAL AUDITIONS FOR OOMPA LOOMPAS

Willy Wonka: Musical!!

•  We need 100 singers, dancers, actors, or children who have an interest in being in their first play!
•  Only two weeks of rehearsals before performances!!
•  No experience necessary!!!
•  No registration or enrollment in classes required!!!!

Children ages 4 on up and under 5’ tall

San Jacinto College Central Departments of Theatre/Film and Music are seeking high and low for all the hidden Oompa Loompas within the local communities. SJCC will be having the second part of their auditions for the fall musical, Willy Wonka, and are looking to cast 100 community children.

We have been working hard the past few weeks with the adult cast of the musical, and it is time to focus on the younger roles. SJCC is hoping to cast local children who have about two weeks of evenings open for rehearsals and who are under 5’ tall. Interested children should be conflict free for the evenings during this two week period.

These children ranging in ages 4 and up, will be featured in up to five musical numbers. Rehearsals for these children would begin on Monday, Sept. 28, and would continue until the show opens on Oct. 9. Auditions are open to children from anywhere.

Performances are set for Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m., and on Oct. 11 and 12 at 2:30 p.m. Special day matinee performances will be performed for area schools and daycares on Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m. and 16 at 10 a.m. Further information about the auditions may be obtained by calling (281) 542-2039.

When: Sept. 26 and 27 at 6 p.m., Slocomb Auditorium. Dress to move, no prepared materials necessary.

Need:  100 Children who have an interest in theatre, ages 4 on up, and under 5’ tall.  Must have evenings free from Sept. 28 through Opening Night. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED.

For more information, call 281-542-2039.