Take a trip through “pure imagination” during Gorham Middle School’s (GMS) production of “Willy Wonka Jr!”

Over 50 students have been rehearsing since November, and 15 tech crew members have recently joined the production to help make the magic come alive.

“Willy Wonka Jr!” is a musical comedy that dramatizes Roald Dahl’s timeless story of Willy Wonka, the world-famous candy man, and his quest to find an heir to run his chocolate factory.

Wonka stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Wonka’s rules in the factory – or suffer the consequences.

Greg Walton and Tana Krohn co-direct this year’s show, continuing to bring quality musical theater to middle school students here in Gorham. Walton has once again outdone himself in building amazing sets and props that bring Wonka’s extraordinary and imaginative Chocolate Factory to life on stage.

His creative stage direction is also sure to entertain, as is the collaborative choreography of Gorham High School student Abby Miller and Krohn.

Audiences young and old are sure to be delighted by the adventure through Wonka’s fantastical Chocolate Factory.

Performances of “Willy Wonka Jr!” will be held at the GMS auditorium on Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.