July 24, 2024 3:20 a.m. 

In the KQEN Cultural Spotlight:

Umpqua Actors Community Theatre opens its summer musical, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” on Thursday night in Jacoby Auditorium at Umpqua Community College.

In the production, the world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory, but only to a few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination. That includes chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels, and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka’s army of curious Oompa-Loompas.

Shows will be Thursdays through Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults and $17 for children ages 12 and under. VIP tickets are available for $42. VIP’s get early entry into the auditorium to have their first pick of seats, have a special dessert and drink served at intermission, and get VIP pictures with the cast after the show. Proceeds from VIP ticket sales go to the UACT children’s program. There are only 25 VIP tickets available per performance.

Tickets are available by calling 673-2125 or by going to www.uact-theatre.com.