by Akina Chargualaf, for KUAM News

Guam - The University of Guam's Summer Theater Camp prepares for its opening of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" tonight at the UOG Fine Arts Theater in Mangilao. Over the past several years, the Camp has put on a variety of shows such as "Alice in Wonderland" and "School House Rock" within the five-week camp period, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory now marks its fifth year.

Show director Michelle Bednarzyk said, "I have a wonderful cast of characters here, a fabulous staff this year, we have Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregard, Mike Teevee, and of course Augustus Gloop. Is there anything you guys want to say? Did you have fun in summer camp? Yeah, this is my first year."

Based on a children's book by Ronald Dahl, the story focuses on five lucky children who are given the chance to visit Willy Wonka's magical chocolate factory as he secretly tests their morality. Five golden tickets were hidden in chocolate bars and the lucky ones were taken for the ride. Through the story, each character learned valuable lessons.  "It also reaches out to kids and I think that it has a wonderful moral message. All of the lead characters have a little flaw, a character flaw in them - that we can sometimes see in ourselves. It kind of lets us know, keep watch of some of these things because its not always good," said Bednarzyk.

The production was not limited to the 30 kids enrolled in camp this summer, but was also opened to camp alumni as well as interns and college students and even staff members.  You won't want to miss this performance. If you're interested in watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the show opens tonight and the cast will put on another show tomorrow at the UOG Fine Arts Theater at 7pm.

Tickets are $6 for children 12 and younger and $12 for adults 13 and over and may be purchased at the door. Make sure to check it out and support the kids.