The magic of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The New Musical reached beyond the stage as celebrities and theater lovers walked away with smiles, reflections, and valuable life lessons after watching the acclaimed production.
During the gala night held on July 9 at The Theatre at Solaire, PUSH ABS-CBN spoke exclusively with some personalities, where they shared what touched them most about the musical, from its larger-than-life performances and dazzling production to the meaningful messages about gratitude, honesty, family, and dreaming big.
Among those who attended was Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla, who proudly watched her daughter Karylle as the only Filipina in the international touring cast, portraying Charlie's loving mother, Mrs. Bucket.
For Zsa Zsa, seeing Karylle perform alongside an international company was a proud moment as a mother.
"Always great to see her on stage and in an international production at that. I'm really, really proud of her," she said.
Beyond her daughter's performance, Zsa Zsa appreciated how the musical balances wonder with meaningful lessons.
"Charlie and The Chocolate Factory is a little dark towards the second half, diba? But of course, as an adult, I'm still very excited to see it and I was just gushing and my inner child was just alive. We were just talking about it; how dark some fairytales can be in some stories. But Charlie and The Chocolate Factory just teaches us lessons, like don't be full of greed."
EXCLUSIVE: Karylle shares what she finds most rewarding about being in theater
Singer-songwriter and theater actor Nyoy Volante also described the musical as an unforgettable experience, saying the production itself felt like a "treat."
"Ang ganda, sobrang ganda. It's so cleverly done. Of course, it's beautiful, it was fun, entertaining, it was a treat, it was definitely a treat. Ang saya-saya niyang panuorin, ang gaan," he lightheartedly expressed.
Having shared the stage with Karylle in productions such as Little Shop of Horrors, Nyoy admitted that while he always expected her to shine, he was still delighted by her performance.
"Very proud. I've done theater work with her. I'm so used to seeing her sa mga big productions. I'm not surprised but always pleased," he added.
Meanwhile, It's Showtime hosts Vhong Navarro and Jackie Gonzaga also could not hide how proud they were of their fellow host for representing the Philippines in the international production.
"Una sa lahat, nakaka-proud si Karylle dahil siya lang 'yung Pilipina na nandoon sa casts. 'Yung performance niya, ibang klase... May taga-Showtime na [part ng cast]," Vhong said.
Jackie simply added with excitement, "Ang masasabi lang namin diyan ay 'Amazing, Ate Karylle!'"
The production also captivated the youngest members of the noontime show family, with It's Showtime kids Kulot, Enicka, Briseis, Kelsey, and Jaze attending the gala in colorful candy-inspired outfits.
For Kulot, Karylle's portrayal of Mrs. Bucket left a lasting impression.
"I am so proud po kay Ate K... sobrang galing po ng boses niya, sobrang ganda po talaga niya kanina... nakapa-galing niya po gumanap na mom," she said, while also praised the entire company. "Super nakaka-proud po na super galing po lahat ng actor. Makikita mo po talaga na they all tried their best."
Among the show's many messages, Kulot said Charlie's grateful heart stood out the most.
"Gusto ko pong gayahin ng mga bata 'yung ugali po ni Charlie kasi he's so grateful po. Na-touch po ako nung binigyan na po siya ng chocolate ng mom niya, kahit hindi siya nakakuha ng golden ticket, happy pa rin po siya and nag-thank you pa rin po siya sa mom niya. So ang lesson po doon is be grateful kasi meron pong mga bata na hindi po nakukuha 'yung gusto nila."
Enicka was equally impressed with Karylle's acting, saying: "Ang galing po niya um-acting, as in sobrang galing po."
She added: "Yung natutunan ko po is you better listen to the rules para nothing bad will happen."
Meanwhile, Briseis said she hopes to become like Karylle one day.
"Super happy po ako kasi super galing po talaga ni Ate Karylle. Super nice niya po and super galing niya po kumanta. Na-amaze rin po ako sa kaniya sabi ko 'Sana paglaki ganon din po ako.'"
She added that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory teaches children to obey their parents.
"Matuto po kayong sumunod sa mga magulang niyo kasi kung hindi po kayo sumusunod, mapapahamak po kayo."
Mini Miss U Grand Winner Kelsey echoed the same lesson: "Ang natutunan ko po is sumunod sa rules kasi po kung hindi ka po susunod, sobrang bad po talaga 'yung mangyayari sa'yo. Pwede ka pong mapahamak."
"Ako po [natutunan ko] in short ay 'Don't lose hope.'" added Jaze.
Actress Alora Sasam also applauded Karylle for proudly representing Filipino theater on an international stage.
"Nakaka-proud si Ms. K kasi siya lang 'yung Filipino actor dun diba? Nakaka-proud siya na parang nakaka-motivate din bilang actor na maki-arte sa mga foreigners... with English script pa siya, nakaka-proud siya."
She also reflected on Charlie's character, saying the musical beautifully highlights family values, honesty, contentment, and gratitude.
"Ang lesson doon for me is follow the rules and then [dapat] always nandoon 'yung family values natin, and honesty. [Pinakita rin] kung gaano ka-innocent and gaano ka-honest, and gaano ka-appreciative at ka-contented si Charlie sa kung anong buhay na meron siya. Dahil sobrang kuntento siya, 'yung universe na mismo ang nagbigay sa kaniya ng everything. Parang sinasabi doon na 'Make something out of nothing', sobrang ganda talaga."
Before the gala night, Karylle herself also shared with the press how portraying Mrs. Bucket has become one of the most meaningful experiences of her theater career.
"I also get to become a mom for the first time and on stage. I've been a mom before for roles but not like this, there are certain scenes where they really met my heart. The journey is new to me and it's beautiful and it's something that I never even had the courage to take."
Watching the touring production before eventually joining its cast also inspired her to dream even bigger, not only for herself, but for Philippine theater as well.
"I think the word is nakakabighani. You are there and you are like 'Wow, ano 'to?' It just made me all the more excited. And I get to see what it's like to be on tour... and get to stay in stage management so I get to see behind the scenes. Parang umandar 'yung utak ko, sabi ko 'Baka one day magkaroon din ako ng original play tapos tayo naman 'yung magto-tour.'"
She continued: "You start to dream even more and being with the touring cast, iba 'yung energy nila... I think there's much to be learned. It makes you want to do more and be more, and dream bigger."
Also present to support Karylle during the gala night were her Encantadia co-stars turned lifelong friends, Iza Calzado and Diana Zubiri, both bringing their kids for the show. Also spotted in the audience were Sam Concepcion, Ryan Bang, Cianne Dominguez, Jhong Hilario with daughter Sarina, Rica Peralejo, and Patrick Garcia, among many others.
Presented by Broadway International Group and Broadway Asia in association with AMA Group of Companies and GMG Productions, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The New Musical continues its Manila run at The Theatre at Solaire until July 26.