Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (Broadway)

See it if You don’t expect too much. It’s one of those shows that tries to recreate the movie almost scene for scene rather than adapting it to stage.

Don't see it if You expect to be charmed the same way you were by the original movie or the book or even dazzled by the Johnny Depp version. Not much heart.

Also Christian Borle sings all the songs from the original movie beautifully and he makes a good Willy Wonka and the Oompa Loompas are fabulous but the rest really falls flat.... Read more Read less

See it if you don't mind sitting through an uninspired adaptation of this great story to see fantastic work from Christian Borle and Jackie Hoffman.

Don't see it if you struggle with shows where a child actor is tasked with carrying the emotional weight of the show.

See it if you can forgive a show w/ some nice aspects but still somehow ends up less than the sum of its parts. Borle makes the most of things.

Don't see it if you want a bold new take on the story. Show has its moments but as a whole it’s emotionally hollow and hesitates to depart from the movies.

Also The Charlie who acts on Mondays does not have the chops for this role. Said it. Moving on.

Highlights: The Oompa Loompas’ clever entrance, the dark & sinister dancing squirrels, a miming sequence where everyone shows off their physical comedy skills, Borle’s exquisite rendition of Pure Imagination. To its credit, the show does foster a perverse satisfaction in seeing these irritating children destroyed in gruesome, theatrical ways. Borle’s cruel & callous Wonka is amusing—he’s already double cast but I wish he could have played Charlie too.

But the show’s deficiencies overshadow the bright spots. This Warner Bros property preserves the sadder aesthetic choices of the 2005 movie: eradicating the Britishness, resorting to ethnic stereotypes for humor, never reconciling what time period it’s in. Plus, the show looks & moves like it was designed for a stage half the actual size—the action/emotion can’t successfully scale up to the right fit. The actors and the space look underutilized.... Read more Read less

See it if you like the story, or you like multi-media presentations and child-like fluffy fun.

Don't see it if you are looking for solid entertainment an immpresive show or a meaningful story.

See it if it’s revived or goes on tour and someone gives you free tickets and you have nothing else to do that day.

Don't see it if someone on the talent level of Christian Borle isn’t playing Willy Wonka. The material is weak; it was only entertaining at all due to him.

Also Good God, how do you put on this show and not bother with sumptuous, over-the-top scenic design? When the big reveal involved them pushing forward a box containing the lagoon of chocolate, I knew this show didn’t mean to deliver on recreating any of the magic of the films. Why even stage this as a live musical if you’re going to go minimalist? This is not the show for that.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a Ronald Dahl fan and have fond memories of the movie in a production that doesn't capture the heart and soul of the novel or movie.

Don't see it if you don't want to be disappointed in your memory of the novel/movie by seeing a watered down version that sucks out the charm and heart

Also the Broadway production is a scaled down, retooled version of the original London production that unfortunately has not improved, but sucked the life out of the original production and source material.... Read more Read less

See it if you love Christian Brole and that's it. You will be disappointed if you think it will be like the first movie with the great Gene Wilder.

Don't see it if you want to be disappointed about an iconic movie. Its more of a children's theater show then a broadway show.

See it if Christian Borle. Pure Imagination, even if the show lacks it.

Don't see it if Don't want to spoil the amazing memories of Gene Wilder and Co. Show lacks heart, hope and imagination.

See it if you have children and would like them to be entertained enough for a few hours at the theater.

Don't see it if you are expecting any of the edginess or fantastical sets of the movies. For such a "colorful" past, this show reads as dull.

See it if you have children you want to take because they will probably enjoy it. Good performances,especially Christian Borle and John Rubenstein.

Don't see it if you expect it to be as good as the book or the Gene Wilder movie or if you expect great music and a fast-moving production.

Also The Oompa-Loompas are great! It's better than the London production (which was COMPLETELY different!) but not by much!... Read more Read less

See it if Your curious about new musical based on book and two movies and like the story line with music added.

Don't see it if A transfer from London with less colorful scenery which means mediocre sets. Decent case tries to made it work but it's all uphill in this.

See it if you think Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is too sweet and needs to be even darker than the Johnny Depp remake.

Don't see it if you are a fan of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory or you have very young children especially those that are prone to nightmares.

See it if if you love Christian Borle or Jackie Hoffman (wait to see them in something else).

Don't see it if pure imagination missing/strange creative choices/disappointing set design.

Also Saw this in April.
Tons of children in the audience. I learned to love theater when I was young... sad to say there are so many better choices for children on Broadway.... Read more Read less

See it if you tolerate disappointments. Beginning is colorful and enjoyable. Gets dull, morbid and excruciating in the 2nd act.

Don't see it if you expect great set for the factory. It should have saved this show, but was amateurish and totally lacked imagination instead.

See it if you have children or if you enjoy fluff. However, that won't be on display scenically. Music is light. Oompas are the only amusing aspect.

Don't see it if you want a Broadway set. This is a huge let down. The London production had amazing designs, and this misses the mark. No wow efx moments.

See it if Christian Borle gives a wonderful performance as Willy Wonka , so does the kid playing Charlie, Ryan Sell. That it lacks imagination is sad.

Don't see it if You like bigger sets, more elaborate staging, and more magic.

See it if you just need to see everything Christian Borle does

Don't see it if you expect the story to be matched with lavish sets and onstage whimsy and magic. It ain't!

See it if You have to see absolutely everything Christian Borle.

Don't see it if You want the story to be the same as the book or the films. Many plot points are different.

See it if You like the overall story and are bringing a family

Don't see it if You want a spectacle. The set was basically nonexistent. Also the show is LOUD, lots of yelling and screaming.

See it if if you feel you have to see everything... this show disappointed & the night i went I did not even have the joy of seeing Christian Borle!

Don't see it if you can see something else!

See it if You want a child friendly show.

Don't see it if Horrible music, acting, set, singing. This was painful.

See it if you absolutely love Christian Borle because he is absolutely incredible as Wonka. Some of the music is well done.

Don't see it if you want to sit through a very slow first act which adds nothing to the plot. Very minimal sets, no actual Wonka until end of act 1.

See it if you have kids who won't know the difference

Don't see it if you are looking for something fresh or mildly interesting or fun

Also I had low expectations and I would say they were met! Is it terrible... no! It is great ... no! Is it a must see... maybe. If you have kids they will think its fun, at least all the kids around me did. It's a waste of talent for great performers like Christian Borle, John Rubinstein and Jackie Hoffman who do their best ( well, Mr Borle looks a bit bored). But its just kinda boring. At times a laugh but it's an uneven production with a script that jumps around from being dark and moody to silly and pop culture laden. Ur never quite sure what they want it to be. The sets are ok, but I know I wanted to see that amazing factory and the river of chocolate but instead got a sliding set piece that looks like a reject from a Wizard of Oz regional production. The kid playing Charlie Bucket is ok but nothing more that a cutie broadway kid. Jackie Hoffman is totally wasted here, nothing more than a silly outfit and a few mugging opportunities. ugh.... Read more Read less

See it if You're taking kids to the theater and you can't get seats to Spongebob.

Don't see it if You didn't like Shrek

See it if you are a fan of the very talented Christian Borle and Jackie Hoffman & a fine score by Shaiman & Wittman; love the Roald Dahl story.

Don't see it if you're expecting the Wilder movie on stage; magic from the get-go (It's a slow starter until Borle's Wonka really gets going in Act II.)