San Antonio native returns for Broadway in Austin run of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’

This week, step into a world of pure imagination with Roald Dahl’s classic “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which opens at the Bass Concert Hall on Tuesday.

Starring San Antonio’s own Cody Garcia as the legendary candyman Willy Wonka, the musical promises sweet set designs, delectable costumes, a musical score to die for and a few delightful surprises along the way.

“There are going to be songs that you recognize from the movie,” Garcia said, “And there’s also going to be all kinds of new songs, too.”

Garcia, who attended Northeast School of the Arts, said that playing Wonka has been a dream of theirs since high school. “It feels incredibly surreal,” they said. “I feel like a lot of actors had dreams of playing certain roles as they were growing up, and this was one of mine.”

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” tells the story of Willy Wonka, the world-famous inventor of the Everlasting Gobstopper. Wonka, played by on-screen legends Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp, is an eccentric and reclusive character best tackled by a multifaceted actor like Garcia.

For example, when they first entered high school, they enrolled as a student in the STEM program. “I was going to be an engineer,” they explained. “Then in sophomore year, I transferred to NISA where I was a cinematography major. I had a very peculiar high school experience.”

This background has given Garcia the dauntless quality to take on such varied roles as Wonka, Flynn Rider from “Tangled: The Musical,” Lumiere, in “Beauty and the Beast” and Bert in “Mary Poppins.” Perhaps this flexibility has also attributed to their limitless resilience both on stage and off.

“Something I learned during COVID,” Garcia said. “It’s never too late. There is no limit. During the shutdown, I enrolled in classes and became a massage therapist.”

Garcia’s dynamism imbues Willy Wonka with infectious energy and excitement. When Wonka opens his factory for a promotional tour, the Golden Ticket recipients can’t help but fall under his thrall. Charlie Bucket and the other four contest winners embark on a life-altering and dangerous journey through Wonka’s wild and beguiling world.

Catch Garcia along with the Oompa-Loompas, some incredible inventions, the great glass elevator and more in Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” presented by Texas Performing Arts and Broadway In Austin, March 22 -27, Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 and 7 p.m. at the Bass Concert Hall. Tickets start at $35 and are available at BroadwayinAustin.com and texasperformingarts.org, by phone at 512- 477- 1444, or from the Texas Performing Arts ticket office at Bass Concert Hall. For groups of 10 or more, call 877-275- 3804 or email Austin. groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com.