MUSICALCLOSED
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Opened Apr 23, 2017 · Closed Jan 14, 2018 · Ran for 9 months
1 Rave
10 Positive
12 Mixed
23 Negative
Critics' Take
Critics are divided on this musical adaptation, praising Christian Borle's star turn as Wonka but faulting the show's lackluster score, overstuffed book, and failure to capture Dahl's dark magic, resulting in a spectacle that underwhelms both children and adults.
This show has closed. Tickets are no longer available.
Critic Scorecard
46 reviews1 Rave
10 Positive
12 Mixed
23 Negative
Sort:
““With a new director, plus new, and notably less expensive, designs and an extensively revised book and score, it moves faster and establishes its relationships far better…Charlie's obnoxious fellow claimants for Wonka’s factory tour are now played by adult actors, not kids; the Oompa Loompas are newly kitted out in body suits from which the act...”
“It's in Act II that the dazzle quotient soars.”
“It is a theatrical achievement of sorts—smart, propulsive, engaging and punctuated with a dozen-plus bouncy new songs.”
“With heavy lifting from madman extraordinaire Christian Borle, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has plenty of laughs, some sweet moments, and puts a smile on your face for two hours.”
Audience Scorecard
1.4K audience reviews
B-
Shrugging
Awards Scorecard
2016-17 season36
Honored
Won Best Costume Design + 1 more
Box Office Scorecard
source · Broadway League, publicAll Time
Frequently Asked Questions
What do critics say about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
Critics are divided on this musical adaptation, praising Christian Borle's star turn as Wonka but faulting the show's lackluster score, overstuffed book, and failure to capture Dahl's dark magic, resulting in a spectacle that underwhelms both children and adults. (CriticScore 51/100 from 46 reviews.)
Is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory worth seeing?
Probably not. Critics generally don't recommend Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (51/100 from 46 reviews). Save your time and money unless you have a specific reason to go.
What is the CriticScore for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has a CriticScore of 51/100 based on 46 professional reviews. Critics generally did not recommend this show.
Is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory still running on Broadway?
No, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has closed. It played at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and closed on January 14, 2018.
Theater Scorecard
Typical VenueA handsome Art Deco house with a distinctive celestial ceiling and wide auditorium. Sightlines are good from center seats but the wide layout means far-side seats lose some stage width. Notoriously narrow seats make comfort a challenge for longer shows.
Seating Scorecard
5 sections2 best3 good
Closest and most direct view of the stage at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, with the fullest sound. The standard top pick for any show here.
Based on aggregated audience reports and editorial judgment. Sightlines vary by show and seat.
Original Broadway Cast
- Christian BorleWilly Wonka
- Jake Ryan FlynnCharlie BucketBroadway debut, Alternate
- Ryan FoustCharlie BucketBroadway debut, Alternate
- Ryan SellCharlie BucketBroadway debut, Alternate
- Ben CrawfordMr. Salt
- Trista DollisonViolet Beauregarde
- Kathy FitzgeraldMrs. Gloop
- Alan H. GreenMr. Beauregarde
Creative Team
- Sam MendesDirector
- Jack O'BrienDirector
- David GreigBook
- Nicholas SkilbeckMusic Supervision & Direction
- Scott WittmanLyrics
- Marc ShaimanMusic & Lyrics
Quick Facts
- CriticScore
- 51/100 (46 reviews)
- Status
- Closed
- Opened
- Apr 23, 2017
- Closed
- Jan 14, 2018
- Run Length
- 9 months
- Synopsis
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a musical based on the 1964 children's novel by Roald Dahl, with book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Directed by Sam Mendes, the musical premiered in the West End at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in June 2013 and ran for 3 years and 7 months before closing on 7 January 2017.
- Data Last Updated
- October 7, 2026
