Rehearsals of Somerville High School's Willy Wonka: The Musical.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Willy Wonka: The Musical will be perform at Somerville High School on February 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. and February 5 at 2 p.m.
The annual SHS Musical is an after school activity within the music department.

The musical was selected because the directors were intrigued by this musical version’s use of elements from the 1970s film, as well as the new movie and the book, according to Rosemary, Sears, producer of the musical, and Assistant Band Director at Somerville High.

Each student at SHS is eligible to audition. Since October, performers have been rehearsing. “The official dress rehearsal is always a night before opening night,” said Richard Romanoff, co-director of the musical and band director at Somerville High.

Karen Woods is the other co-director of the musical, as well as a biology teacher and Coach of the Color Guard and Dance Club and Dance Team at Somerville High School.

The annual musical was started by long time teacher Ken Lonergan, said Sears.

From a director’s standpoint, “The most interesting part of this play is how many technical elements are involved in the show,” said Romanoff.

Moreover, from a producer’s perspective, it ties in well to the initiatives set forth by Shape Up Somerville, with the themes of excess and gluttony being addressed, said Sears.