Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (Broadway)

See it if you love the classic story of Willy Wonka.

Don't see it if you are expecting great music and the play of the year.

Also I met Wily Wonka through Tim Burton's movie, and I fell in love with the story, the concept. I didn't know the 1970's film with the late Gene Wilder. I was expecting a bad play, but it ended being a charming, unpretentious and lovely play.... Read more Read less

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 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 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 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 enjoy the original movie or story. Christian Borle shines as Wonka and the ensemble brings down the house with laughter.

Don't see it if you want a light musical. While entertaining, it takes a darker turn when you enter the factory.

Also I really enjoyed Charlie! I'm sure why the NYT dragged it through the mud. Borle is with us through the story, first as a chocolate seller and then as Wonka; he really does transform into the sassy cynic factory owner I've always hoped Wonka would be (but what Deep missed). Charlie's bedridden Grandparents bring down the house with their great one-liners, moving the first act along. I also enjoyed the adults as the 4 other children, who win golden tickets. If you like the story line and original songs, you'll enjoy it.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a nicely produced, fun, easy, family musical. It is a solid if unspectacular take on the story. Christian Borle is great.

Don't see it if You are not willing to appreciate a version of Willy Wonka that is different from the movie or if you are expecting massive spectacle.

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 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 If you like musicals, you will enjoy it

Don't see it if If you enjoy drama more, pass on this one.

See it if you want to see an eccentric & inventive take on the willy wonka story.

Don't see it if you lack imagination and wit

Also this show was so much fun. it was whimsical in an eccentric sort of way. and the oompa loompas...i loved me some oompa loompas! they were not the traditional OL. they were creepy cute. this show was by NO means dark, & i have no idea why critics/patrons would think so. perhaps it was a teensy shade of gray, but most definitely not dark. in fact this show was no darker than wicked. christian borle was great, as was the entire cast. i so recommend this show, but keep an open, imaginative mind.... Read more Read less

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 to enjoy a family-friendly, entertaining musical with a familiar storyline (but also modern updates!). Christian Borle is amazing.

Don't see it if you are looking for a direct movie to theatre performance or you are cynical and don't want to enjoy a night of whimsy and hope.

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 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.)

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 want a child friendly show.

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

See it if You love Christian Borle and something that is a little outside of the box.

Don't see it if You expect a traditional musical or if you don't want to escape and be entertained.

See it if You can think like a kid-- it makes it magical. Put aside that the time frame makes no sense. If you don't expect much you'll have fun.

Don't see it if You expect wild sets, a story that makes sense, big epic numbers, you have young children (kids die brutally).

Also I went in with VERY low expectations & ended up enjoying myself. I thought like a kid and saw everything as magical from that moment forward. The kid playing Charlie was absolutely adorable, and Christian Borle as Wonka was fun, albeit too reserved.
However, there were quite a few red flags for this production. First, I had no idea when this story was taking place. Charlie's family lived & dressed in a time where few people had electricity, washing machines were rare, and 79 cents was a lot of money. Yet the other kids who won had iPads, smartphones, access to Wifi. It made no sense.
Second, the sets were a HUGE disappointment. If ever there was a show to blow your wad on the set budget, it would be this one, and they completely failed. The chocolate room was a diorama that they walked around.
Third, other than the songs from the movie, the music was boring and forgettable.
Be warned: kids die. Might traumatize young ones.
All that being said, I did like it more than Bandstand.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a fan of Christian Borle, Roald Dahl, the book/movie, or are just up for a truly memorable show for kids & the oh so young at heart.

Don't see it if You are looking for more than a cute romp. If you are selective, & do not have a kid in tow, there are many better, more satisfying choices.

See it if There's a surprise waiting for you here. Beside the clever staging there's a poignancy to this this I didn't expect. Charlie had my heart.

Don't see it if Second act is a bit long and predictable. Audience of kids and adults not to everyone's liking but perfect for this show.