Calling all Oompa Loompas

BEAVER CREEK – In the final installment of the Vilar Center’s free family movie series, Johnny Depp stars as the zany Willy Wonka in the Tim Burton adaptation of Roald Dahl’s darkly offbeat book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” The Academy Award nominated film hits Beaver Creek’s big screen today at 6:30 p.m.Prior to the showing, kids dressed up as their favorite movie characters can compete in a costume contest, with prizes for all. Contest prizes have been donated by Beaver Creek merchants. The first film adaptation of Dahl’s hit book was in 1971, starring Gene Wilder in the role of Willy Wonka. It became a cult classic favorite and the modern-day interpretation has followed suit.

The story is about the downtrodden Charlie Bucket who, along with a handful of indulgent brats, is granted a once in a lifetime tour through Wonka’s confectionary wonderland, only to discover that in the end, morality does pay off. The film is rated PG and runtime is 115 minutes. The showing is free, and tickets are not required. For more information, call the Vilar Center Box Office at 845-TIXS (8497) or visit http://www.vilarcenter.org.

Vail, Colorado