Grandma Josephine (Alexa Hughes) and Grandpa Joe (Price Marshall) are just one half of the dual grandparental units living with

the Bucket family in “Willy Wonka,” Tryon Little Theater/Tryon Youth Center’s 2013 Summer Production.

Although they’re very poor, Grandpa Joe is ever the optimist, always urging Charlie to keep a positive attitude. Grandma Josephine, on the other hand can be a little testy, thinks her husband is “too old,” and eases her boredom by chain smoking. Both young actors have a long history in the theater, with Marshall (a rising junior at Polk County High School) having roles in “Seussical,” “Twelfth Night,” “Guys and Dolls,” and  “Pippin,” as well as multiple characters in “Greek Mythology Olympiaganza.”

“I enjoy the feeling you get when you successfully perform or put on a show.  I like the challenge that’s presented… whether it’s becoming the character, learning the lines, singing or dancing,” he said. “I really like my role as Grandpa Joe. He’s a young soul trapped in an old body.  He’s not the typical old-man character, which makes him a lot of fun to play.” Hughes started with TLT shows when she was 9, and she’s about to head off to Appalachian State for a major in theater arts and a minor in dance.

Over time, she’s logged more than 400 volunteer hours at both TLT and TFAC and says she loves “all aspects of theater.”

“Willy Wonka” opens at TFAC July 18, running through the matinee finale on July 21.  Tickets go on sale July 8 at the TLT Workshop 516 S. Trade St in Tryon, (open Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., and Tues and Thurs 4 – 7 p.m.).

Call 828-859-2466 to reserve your tickets, or visit www.tltinfo.org for more information.

-article submittedby Monica Jones