DLNews Local Theatre Entertainment:

Golden Tickets Await at PCT’s Season Opener

Palm Springs’ Palm Canyon Theatre is striking a sweet chord this fall as it opens its 29th season with Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, playing October 3–12, 2025. The beloved tale unfolds with a cast of 41, including several bright talents from the PCT Summer Kids Camp, promising a colorful blend of imagination and melody.

Audiences will step inside a world of wonder through the 2017 Broadway adaptation, a reimagined version that marries fresh new numbers with timeless favorites like “Pure Imagination” and “The Candy Man.” The book by David Greig, with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, captures the heart of Dahl’s classic while giving it a Broadway sheen.

At the center is young dreamer Charlie, played by Desmond McLeod, whose golden ticket opens the gates to Willy Wonka’s fantastical factory. Stepping into the role of the eccentric candy maker is Scott Clinkscales, who leads a company of greedy, curious, and sometimes misguided ticket holders. Vito Orlando as Augustus Gloop, Fiona Sarchett as Veruca Salt, Kathleen Atkins as Violet Beauregard, and Steffon Martindale as Mike Teavee round out the lineup of contenders, each accompanied by watchful parents portrayed by Neil Badham, Eric Stein-Steel, Heather Joy, and Georgia Smith. Charlie’s loyal family, including Grandpa Joe (Luke Rainey) and an ensemble of whimsical relatives, adds warmth and heart to the adventure.

Director Se Layne, Musical Director Chuck Peery, Choreographer Tegr Powell, and Resident Costumer Derik Shopinski shape the production with scenic and lighting design by J.W. Layne and projections by Nick Edwards. “It’s a feast for the senses,” said Layne, noting the intergenerational cast, which includes local talents such as Anastasia Abonce, Reagan Kaminsky, Isla Gurnon, Dayanara Huerta, and more.

Performances will sparkle across two weekends: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets, inclusive of fees, are $46 for adults and $20 for students, with group discounts available. For reservations or sponsorship opportunities, call 760-323-5123 or visit palmcanyontheatre.org. The theatre is located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive at Alejo Road, with box office hours Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory invites the Coachella Valley to begin PCT’s new season on a golden note.

Source: Cara Van Dijk