National Press Club

Willy Wonka original cast, sans Oompa Loompas, comes to Press Club

Se Hoon Kim

June 12, 2024

The cast of the original 1971 classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory participated in festivities at the National Press Club last week, joining the June 6 chocolate-themed buffet at the Reliable Source and then a fireside chat on June 7.

Five dinner guests found themselves holding the Club's version of Wonka's "golden tickets," giving them a chance for a photo with original cast members  Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket), Paris Themmen (Mike Teevee), and Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt).

Willy Wonka actors

At the chat, the cast members shared behind-the-scenes stories about being child actors and answered a series of questions from the audience, including what it was like to work with Gene Wilder to the truth about the chocolate river.

The following day featured a Fireside Chat with the cast, where they shared behind-the-scenes stories from their time on set as children in 1971.

Two musicians added a backdrop to the event. Kazakh violinist Aruay Zhussip performed "Pure Imagination," and Mongolian artist Ochirbat Munkh provided renditions of "Oompa Loompa" and "The Candy Man," paying tribute to the movie's iconic soundtrack with a traditional Mongolian instrument, Morin Khuur.

The event was organized by Se Hoon Kim, senior correspondent at Global Strat View, and Poonam Sharma, founder/editor of Global Strat View and a member of the Club's Board of Governors.

Photos

Photo Credit: Peter West Violinist Aruay Zhussip was one of two musicians who played as part of panel discussion with members of the cast of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate factory to help demonstrate the international reach the 1971 film has had.
Photo Credit: Peter West Guests at a Willy Wonka-themed buffet Friday in the Reliable Source were able to sample not one, but two chocolate fountains: white and dark.
Photo Credit: Peter West Denise B. Slaughter, special assistant to the University of the District of Columbia's Chief Academic Officer, won one of five Golden Tickets, which entitled recipients to a photo with the cast.
Photo Credit: Peter West Mesfin Mekonen, of the Press Club staff, and singer Renee Tannenbaum, draw Golden tickets at Thursday's event.
Photo Credit: Peter West Peter Ostrum, who played Charlie Bucket in the film, a character who won a Golden Ticket, presents an autographed ticket to Club President Emily Wilkins.
Photo Credit: Peter West Press Club staffer Jose Vasquez manned a carving station where guests could feast on roast beef in chocolate au jus.
Photo Credit: Peter West Julie Dawn Cole, who played the character of Veruca Salt, speaking on Friday night's panel.
Photo Credit: Peter West NPC kitchen staffer Letticia Nauai staffs the chocolate fountains.
Photo Credit: Peter West Guest Lori Arbuckle looks over the dessert selection of mini-pastries.
Photo Credit: Peter West Dressed in traditional costume, Ochirbat Munkh played music from the film on a Mongolian instrument.
Photo Credit: Peter West Paris Themmen, who played the character Mike Teevee, speaking on Friday night's panel.
Photo Credit: Peter West Peter Ostrum, who played the character of Charlie Bucket, speaking on Friday night's panel.
Photo Credit: Peter West Rene Tannebaum and her Band entertained with jazz standards at Thursday night's buffet.
Photo Credit: Peter West Se Hoon Kim, assignment editor/senior correspondent East and South Asia at Global Strat View, organized the event and moderated Friday night's panel.
Photo Credit: Peter West Peter Ostrum, who played the character of Charlie Bucket, displays a tattoo of his favorite line from the film: "So Shines a Good Deed in a Weary World." Willy Wonka was Ostrum's only movie role; he spent his career as a veterinarian.
Photo Credit: Peter West Three of the former child actors who were featured in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, spoke about their experiences at a panel discussion Friday night. (left to right) Paris Themmen, "Mike Teevee"; Julie Dawn Cole, "Veruca Salt"; and Peter Ostrum, "Charlie Bucket".
Photo Credit: Peter West Club President Emily WIlkins chats with Willy Wonka actors Paris Themmen, "Mike Teevee", and Julie Dawn Cole, "Veruca Salt", over chocolate themed food from the Reliable Source buffet.