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Pure Imagination: Paul David Kurts is Grandpa Joe in CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY


When eccentric candy creator Willy Wonka opens his factory to five lucky children, the result is an unbelievable journey of sight and sound, taste and character. A dazzling new musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s iconic novel, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY plays in the Jeffers Theatre at HCT November 29th through December 14th.


He's played a Captain and a Reverend, a wise-cracking manservant and a man of the people. Now, the ever-engaging Paul David Kurts returns to the Jeffers as gruff-but-lovable Grandpa Joe.


Originally hailing from Mississippi, Kurts came to Hickory over twenty years ago as a pastor and a member of the U.S. Air Force. Now retired from both callings, Kurts enjoys golf, travel, and karaoke when not spending time on stage or with family.


Kurts last appeared at Hickory Community Theatre in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. Other HCT credits include SOMETHING ROTTEN, EVITA and MAMMA MIA. Area credits include FOOTLOOSE and NEXT TO NORMAL at Theatre Statesville, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROL KING MUSICAL and MAMA MIA at The Green Room Community Theatre, THE MIRACLE WORKER at The HUB, and THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY at Newton Performing Arts Center.


"I loved the music from when I was a kid," Kurts says of the songs from the 1971 film that return in this production. Kurts relishes this golden ticket of an opportunity to bring this character to the stage. "He's funny, mischievous, and really loves his grandson."


Performances of CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY are Fridays and Saturdays, November 29th through December 14th at 7:30PM; Sundays, December 1st and 8th at 2:30PM, and, Thursday, December 12th at 7:30PM. Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for youth and students.


Tickets are available online at hickorytheatre.org, or by phone at 828-328-2283. The theatre box office is open from 12-5 PM Wednesday through Friday, or one half-hour before a performance.


CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is rated PG. Some material may not be suitable for children. Parental guidance is suggested.


CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is produced in association with Catawba Valley Health System. The Hickory Community Theatre’s 76th season is sponsored by A Cleaner World, Protection Products, Inc., Shurtape Technologies, Bella Age, Covington Dental, and LifeRootz. HCT is a Funded Affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives additional support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.


(Photo by Eric Seale)

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