September 10, 2022 Issue, Page 12 of 12

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12 - The Elk City News Community September 10, 2022 Elk City Rodeo taught him when he was in Wonka high school. He said that he Continued from page 1. thinks this show will bring some nostalgia to the audi- generations. I also love the ence. Johnny Depp one. I just love “It’s kind of a hybrid be- the show, period,” said director tween the Gene Wilder and Julie Barnett. the Johnny Depp versions, just She went on to say how well kind of combined to make its the cast and crew worked to- own universe. It’s in a totally By Sheryl Ponce gether. Everyday there were different time frame. And then people who jumped in and even the Johnny Depp version, Each September marks the reunion and celebration of the Hunt helped with the set, costum- we have references to Game- family in Elk City. George Franklin and Martha ‘Matilda’ (Wright) ing, lighting, or sound. They boys , computers and internet. Hunt had 12 children, but only eight of their grandchildren are pulled together to put on a Ilike that aspect of it. It’s up to still living. Those eight are now in their 80s or older. stage version of the musical. ‘The Hunt family have been meeting for 88 years to celebrate date,” he said. “There’s just so many fun their family. The first reunion was held at Sayre Park, but after moments of the show. I didn’t Barnett's character is Char- the Elk City Convention Center was built, they moved the event write it, but it’s like moving a lie’s grandfather who was laid to Elk City. ship together, and I'm actually off from the Wonka factory. ‘They came by train from Lickin, Missouri, to Sweetwater in the rudder on the ship. I'm not He has been bedridden for two about 1904, staying with Matilda’s sister. At first, they lived in even the captain. The captain decades, and when Charlie gets Sayre and later moved to Elk City. When George died in 1929, his already had the compass and a golden ticket, it gives him widow lived with her daughters. madea direction. I have to kind hope. ‘Throughout the reunion the family will be spending their time of keep it in line. That's all that “He doesn’t do anything for visiting, eating, and playing games. They will hold a special auc- I'm supposed to do and try to 20 years, and so he’s kind of tion to raise funds for the reunion expenses, while the children be true to the author’s intent. angry. When he’s at the factory skate and ride their bikes. You don’t try to make it any- thing that you dreamed up,” with Charlie, he sees what the ‘The George and Matilda Hunt Family photo, taken in ‘Three of George and Matilda’s grandchildren live in the Elk City Barnett added. whole point was. It’s been it’s 1912, includes Hermon Hunt, Clara Black, Leslie Hunt, area. Those are Betty Nichols, Bill Skelton, and Norma Warnke. Alta Greene, Millie Tucker, Grayson Hunt, Nancy Mitchel, Willy Wonka is being played fun to act this angry old man” Seven of Hunt's children and their families have been buried at Ora Gates Tuerman, Art Hunt, Bessie Jenkins, Velma Fairlawn Cemetery. by Hammon senior Wade Barnett added. Crook, and Pearl Skelton. Courtesy photo. Showers. He is the son of Scott The musical talent that and Beth Ann Showers and comes out in this production also attends Western Technol- is what makes it a show to ogy Center in their bio-medical see. From the grandpa to the program. He plans to go to Ce- youngest Oompa Loompa, darville University in Ohio to each member ofthe cast brings enter their medical program. something special to the show. He wants to be a cardiologist. ‘The choreography fits the stage he “Willy Wonka” is not Show- and the talent of each perform- er's first time on stage. He per- formed in “Seussical,” “Okla- er, and the stage was artistical- homa,” and “My Fair Lady.” He ly representative of the Willy Ky Teatival was told about this production, Wonka factory. and that he should audition by ‘The cast consists of Wade his friends. Showers - Willy Wonka, Joc- “I thought it would be a lot elyn Kos - Charlie Bucket, of fun, and this is my fourth Landon Holcomb ~ Mr. Buck- time, fourth time to perform,” et, Ashley Underwood Argan- Showers said. bright - Mrs. Bucket, Josh He likes the Red Carpet The- Barnett - Grandpa Joe, Kat atre because it has a smaller as- pect to it, and he thinks it hasa Tate - Grandma Josephine, Brandt Arganbright - Grand- CONVENTION CENTER - ELK CITY more personal experience than pa George, Julie Barnett - some of the other theatres. He said that he also appreciates Grandma Georgina, Brent SATURDAY 10AM - 6PM the friends he has made along Pletcher - Candyman, Bailey the way, that they are friendsCarpenter - Phineous Trout, in aia that he hangs out with outsideAshley Underwood Argan- of the theatre. bright - Mrs. Gloop, Turner Grandpa Joe is being played Simmons - Augustus Gloop, by Josh Barnett. He is no Ben Perkins - Mr. Salt, Cassi- stranger to the RCCT stage, dy Crabb - Veruca Salt, Nicole having won best actor for last Barnard - Mrs. Beauregard, season. Barnett said that he Emma Ferrero — Violet Beaure- would like to thank all of this family, friends and the com- gard, Samuel Holcomb — Mike munity who have supported Teavee, and Joy Hale Moore him this past year. This is his - Ms. Teavee, The Ensemble one-year mark in performing includes Makenna Valdez, at the theatre. Rylee Yeager, Alexis Pletcher, “This show has a lot more and Grayce Keller. The Oompa children in it and a lot more Loompas are Anya Billy, Kellan cast in general. That has been Miller, Ella Gordon, Becca Bar- interesting, and it has been nard, Jaelynn Simmons, Emily more challenging, too. Chal- Barnes, Tatum Thiessen, and lenging in some ways, but less Taylee Thiessen. challenging than I originally in South Exhery Willy Wonka at RCCT is thought. I thought it would be a struggle with too many small sponsored by Hutton, Inc, inue t ‘Fun on Sunday kids. Pm used to bigger kids, Momentum Transports, Lega- 66 Museumfor the but they have been good. They cy Bank, Zybach and Fairchild, picked it up,” Barnett said. CPAs, and Simply Desserts Cannont He does more singing than serving concessions. It is being he has in other productions, produced with the help of the but he has fallen back on what Oklahoma Arts Council. | elkcitychamber.com * 580-225}-0207* [email protected] Justin Ediger and Lori Park For tickets go to rect.org.