Forty years ago almost to the day, the film adaptation of Ronald Dahl's 1964 children's book, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, opened on movie screens around the country. On June 22, The Alhambra Theatre & Dining will feature Willy Wonka as its annual summer family show and the iconic theater has a host of special treats to commemorate the anniversary. Craig Smith, Managing Partner of the new Alhambra, announced a free movie night, a Golden Ticket promotion with presenting sponsor, Kilwin's at the Town Center, and a special earlier curtain time more fitting with busy summer family schedules. Plus, the Alhambra will be turned into a veritable chocolate factory, giving theatergoers a true Wonka experience. Among the highlights of the Willy Wonka family show:
The original film starred Gene Wilder as Wonka and Jack Albertson as Charlie's grandfather opened on June 30, 1971 and spawned a line of chocolate bars and a remake in 2005 that starred Johnny Depp as Wonka. The Alhambra will show the original film at a free Movie Night on Monday, June 27. Movie night is open to the first 350 people to come to the Alhambra that evening. Doors will open at 6:00 and the movie will start promptly at 7:00 PM following remarks by Smith. The Alhambra will have concessions available including popcorn, candy, hot dogs and soft drinks and the lounge will also be open that evening for adults. The film is free to the public. Seating is general admission on first come first served basis. There are no advance reservations through the box office.
As Presenting Sponsor of Willy Wonka, Kilwin's Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream will host a Golden Ticket promotion, ultimately giving away one 100-person Chocolate Fountain Party. People are invited to come to the Kilwin's store at the Town Center shopping mall in Jacksonville and register to win the party. Guests at the Alhambra may also register and there will be registration on line.
Registration is free. Each week during the five-week run of the show, starting on June 22, Kilwin's will select one winner at random to win that week's golden ticket as well as a gift basket from Kilwin's valued at $100. Each of those five winners will be invited to the final performance of Willy Wonka at the Alhambra to see the show on July 24 and a grand prize winner will be selected at random from those five guests. All five golden ticket winners also are invited to take bows during the curtain call with the cast.
From Gobstoppers handing from the ceilings to giant lollipops "growing" in the garden, the Alhambra will be decorated to resemble their rendition of Wonka's chocolate factory. After each performance, either the cast playing the Oompah Loompahs or the wait staff will hand out candy to kids attending the show.
While not specifically a children's show, the Alhambra is changing the starting time and has created a new pricing structure for the show. The starting time for evening shows of Willy Wonka has been moved from it's traditional starting time of 8:00 PM to 7:30 PM, allowing parents to get children home a little earlier. Doors will open at 5:30 PM rather than 6:00 PM. Dinner will be served from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. In addition, the Alhambra will be offering a Family Four-Pack pricing structure allowing families to purchase up to four tickets at the children's price regardless of age. Family Four-Pack pricing is $140.
"Regardless of whether or not you have kids or are a kid, this is a magical show, and a whole lot of fun," said Smith. "Since it is the fortieth anniversary, we wanted to do something special. We want the Alhambra experience always to be wonderful, and this show certainly lends itself to an extra dose of creativity on our part. With apologies to parents and a 'you're welcome' to area dentists, I cannot wait to see this place turned into Wonka's world and filled with kids and kids at heart excited about being at this show."
Willy Wonka opens June 22, 2011. Show times are 7:30 PM for evening shows Tuesday through Sunday. Doors open at 5:30 PM and dinner is served from 6:00-7:00 PM. Matinees on Saturday are at 1:15 PM. Doors open at 11:00 AM and the buffet starts at 11:15 AM. Sunday matinee is at 2:00. Doors open at noon and the buffet starts at 12:15 PM. Group sales are available. Tickets start at $42 for adults and $35 for children. Ticket price includes dinner, show and parking. Call the box office at 904.641.1212 or visit on line at www.alhambrajax.com.
