A sweet midweek treat courtesy of Sing Hosanna's! production “Wonka Jr.” opened at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College Wednesday night.

The enthusiastic opening night crowd went on a journey of pure imagination based on Roald Dahl's classic “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” The student's theater offering featured a cast of more than 50 actors under the direction of Ralph Christy Jr.

“Wonka Jr.” is the tale of young Charlie Bucket, played appealingly by Nathanael Archer, who wins the Golden ticket to tour Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory with his Grandpa Joe, convincingly portrayed by Luke Pfeifer.

The show opened with an ensemble cast featuring some 40 children clad in adorable, brightly-colored costumes with delicious orange hats.

The sparse sets allowed the talent to showcase the story well and were moved mostly flawlessly by the young tribe of Oompa-Loompas. The minimalist staging forced the audience to use their imagination.

The narrator and master of ceremonies, Leta Hixon, set the stage and guided the audience along on the journey.

Willy Wonka was portrayed by Camden Rockcastle with a perfect blend of charisma and mischief. Rockcastle did a commendable job on a fairly challenging role. He shone in the opening as he sauntered down the aisle to “Pure Imagination” and delivered the classic tune, “The Candy Man” with ease.

Archer played Charlie with the positive innocence Dahl's classic creates. His chemistry with the other characters was fresh and credible. Pfeifer did a commendable job playing a grandfather, not an easy feat. His wit and jokes were entertaining and fun. The duo was delightful in the second act, where they downed the fizzy lifting soda.

Charlie's cohorts on the journey were a peculiar quartet of spoiled brats who selfishly demanded and took liberties that were atrocious. Jordan Davis had spoiled to perfection as Veruca. Pretentious with a capital “P,” she created a persona larger than life. TommyLynn Kilian portrayed the insolent and entitled Violet, complete with Southern twang and decent set of pipes. Isaac Hixon was the device-driven Mike Teavee, who was sassy and silly at the same time and Evie Archer garnered her share of giggles as the voracious German Augustus Gloop, whose appetite knows no bounds.

The show was exactly what the doctor ordered for the enthusiastic audience. A wonderful midweek distraction and escape from reality.

Later this summer Sing Hosanna! will host “A Crazy Christmas Comedy and Culinary Comforts” a dinner theater on Saturday, Aug. 11 at St. Peter's Parish Hall with the musical “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” taking center stage along with a full course meal.