November 18, 2008
Forget shopping! The Michigan Theater offers a great alternate
to the post-Thanksgiving mall madness. Bring the whole family
at 1:30 pm Friday, November 28 for the musical fantasy,
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
Kids 12 and under will be admitted free.
In this, the original version, Gene Wilder plays
the eccentric confectioner whose sunny exterior belies a
more sinister inner life in the tale of a poor boy who wins
a tour of a strange and wonderful candy factory. Mel Stuart
directed the script, adapted by Roald Dahl from his own
novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The 1971 film was Oscar-nominated for best musical score
and best song. Rated G, it is 100 minutes long. The
screening is part of the Toyota Family-Friendly Film Series.
It is sponsored by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, located
on Liberty Street, just west of the Michigan Theater.
A question for the ages – is Gene Wilder cooler than
Johnny Depp, who played Willy in the Tim Burton remake?
Cinefantastique Online says yes: "Whereas
Depp’s Wonka seems barely able to cope with his guests,
Wilder's Candyman seems to be totally in control; one even
suspects that the 'accidents' befalling the naughty children
may all be a part of his master-plan."
"It's all wonderfully colorful and imaginative, and
filled with a multitude of references and jokes that will
be understood only by adults (Wonka quotes everyone from
Shakespeare to Coleridge.) It is a delight that deserves
its place in the pantheon of family films that truly do
appeal to the whole family, not just the young kids,"
writes Steve Biodrowski on Cinefantastique Online
Admission is FREE for kids 12 and under, $9.00 for adults,
$7.00 for students, seniors and US veterans, $6.50 for Michigan
Theater members. All shows take place at the historic
Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty Street, across from Borders
Books and Music in downtown Ann Arbor
Please visit the Michigan Theater web site for more information
and a complete schedule with show times: http://michtheater.org.
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