Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (Broadway)

See it if you're not expecting much. Based on a fantastical story, this musical's score and production remain sadly earthbound and mundane.

Don't see it if you want something inventive or engaging. The only truly bright spot is seeing Jackie Hoffman steal every scene she's in.

See it if you are looking for something to bring young kids to and have already seen all the other kid-friendly Broadway shows.

Don't see it if you are a fan of the movie and want to feel that sense of nostalgia--this show will not deliver that. Had potential to be so much better.

Also First, some good things...the costumes were incredible. Christian Borle was very charismatic as Willy Wonka (and did the best he could with poor source material); John Rubenstein's energy as Grandpa Joe was infectious. Emily Padgett as Mrs. Bucket was sweet and tender. And the "bad" kids and their parents were also well performed. This show really had all the elements to be great, but it wasn't. It was joyless and boring. There was no excitement when Charlie found the golden ticket or when he inherited the factory at the end. Both could have been huge production numbers to stir excitement, but instead, they were boring, lackluster, and forgettable moments. The minimalist sets and over reliance on projections were disappointing as well. For a show like this, you want and expect big bold sets. The show had so much potential, but it just didn't deliver. It is a shame, because there is obviously an abundance of talent on the stage and they deserved better material to perform.... Read more Read less

See it if You're a huge fan of the source material or someone involved in the show. You want to see a hot (expensive) mess. For the Oompa-Loompas.

Don't see it if You have a low tolerance for racial stereotypes, child death, elder death jokes, or colonial imperialist ambitions and slavery.

Also I don't know how this musical got made or who is taking their small children to it. I guess, in hindsight, Willy Wonka is a bizarre source. The character, especially as portrayed here, is not remotely kind, sympathetic, or especially sane. He's an eccentric millionaire who mangles children with scant regard and lies to everyone to manipulate the world into what he wants. Worst of all is the failure of the musical to update Dahl's problematic back story of a white savior pillaging the remote jungle and literally enslaving a race of exoticized "noble savages" to work in his factory.

The children characters are all dumb terrible (though there is some acting that's really trying and often succeeding), even Charlie (whose child actor is not very good either), who constantly makes poor decisions and is rewarded for the same things that get other children dismembered.

The music is okay, the setting is great, and the cast is broadly adequate. Would not recommend.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of the book on which the play is based and/or the movies the book inspired.

Don't see it if you'd prefer not to see what amounts to a pretty creepy story with some violent (yet played for laughs) fates for children.

See it if only if you have a child who is obsessed with the book and insists on seeing it.

Don't see it if you expect better work from such a previously distinguished creative team.

See it if You're sucked in by that name-brand recognition.

Don't see it if You're not interested in a ludicrous adaptation attempting to reach millennials, plagued by lazy choices that avoid spectacle at all costs.

See it if I don't like trashing Bway shows, I know all the passion and work that goes into creating them. However, this show is an ill-conceived mess

Don't see it if It's not a complete disaster, but there're many other better musicals to chose from. Don't waist your time and money on this one.

See it if you don't care if they bastardize a classic novel and beloved film.

Don't see it if you love the classic novel and film (the FIRST ONE please!). This is just mean spirited.

See it if Want to watch Borel ruin his singing voice pushing and at sea acting wise. He tries everything with no success to save this turkey.

Don't see it if You've never seen a B'Way Show. You'll never want to see another with today's overpricing .

See it if you are not expecting much in the way of content.

Don't see it if you're expecting quality musical theatre.

See it if the oompas are done in a really interesting way. The rest of the show fell flat. Hard to watch. Maybe see if you're a big wonka fan

Don't see it if there are better shows to see that are good for the whole family

See it if you have kids that want to see it. It's definitely a show tailored to young audiences

Don't see it if You want a well-done show.....Only highlights of the show were Christian and John's performances and a few moments

See it if The book was poorly written. Music was mediocre. And the 'set' was a disappointment.

Don't see it if Watch Anastasia instead.

See it if you're curious or just want to see Christian Borle and Jackie Hoffman on stage.

Don't see it if you expect any sort of pure imagination because this production completely lacks in that department. It also lacks consistency.

See it if Well, unfortunately i got the understudy to Christian Borle. He was the only reason I wanted to see it, but it was a lottery ticket.

Don't see it if I can't believe how many kids came to see an 8pm Sat. Performance. It has some very dark themes....nightmare stuff.

Also I couldn't believe how many people arrived late, some as much as 30 tp 45 mins into the show. It's a shame that shows like Comet and Groundhogs Day are closing and this drivel will go for years because of the children who will be taken and the merchandise sold. I was very happy to see Jackie Hoffman however, she is a delight.... Read more Read less

See it if You need to see a show that's family-friendly

Don't see it if You don't appreciate shows that are seemingly just looking to cash in on a childhood classic without putting any effort or love into it

See it if you have kids.

Don't see it if you expect good bookwriting.

See it if someone's forcing you to by gunpoint.

Don't see it if you can do literally anything else.

See it if You want to waste your time and money on something that should never been produced. Or if you love Jackie Hoffman (she's the only good part)

Don't see it if you like good theatre.

See it if you have no expectations of being entertained or charmed

Don't see it if you harbor sweet, nostalgic feelings for the movie and/or the book

See it if You just cannot talk your kid out of it....certainly no guarantee that even kids will love it..

Don't see it if You expect any real excitement or great staging or effects.

Also The Charlie that we saw, (there are three) did not have a great voice at all... Read more Read less

See it if you like people taking dumps on your childhood.

Don't see it if you have respect for your kids or yourself. Nothing about this show works. See Anastasia instead. Or anything, really.

Also The Oompa Loompas are cute at first. Then they have a whole song about Wonka rescuing them from their plight as natives and giving them a better life through indentured servitude. The chorus is written in unga-bunga faux African gibberish. If they were black actors this show would be run out of town. Unbelievable.... Read more Read less

See it if you like chocolate and you are 12

Don't see it if you are above 18

See it if banal, trivial and one of the worst shows to hit Broadway this season. Sets look like a high school production, choreography lifeless, dull.

Don't see it if you are expecting a full, awe-inspiring evening in the theatre, with great performances, great music and something for your expensive ticket

See it if You need to take kids to a show and they've already seen everything else. You are a die-hard Borle fan and must see him.

Don't see it if you like anything about this franchise. You want to see actual *sets*. You could see anything else instead.