Lucian Piane
It Must Be Believed To Be Seen
(On the great day, the Golden Ticket winners gather before Willy Wonka’s imposing factory gates. Charlie & Grandpa Joe feel out of place amidst all the hoopla on the red carpet. Finally, the moment of truth arrives. With a choral fanfare, the factory door swings open and all eyes turn to see the mysterious Willy Wonka… silhouetted in the smoke is an old man bent over a walking stick, about to totter down the factory steps... but he doesn’t totter for long!)
ALL
Willy Wonka! Willy Wonka!
[WILLY WONKA]
Won't you help me, please?
I'm afraid that I might fall
For my eyes and knees
Have grown frail behind this wall
Let me come to you
Though it appears I've lost my pep
But as this ancient relic read
In the Tao of Ching, it's said
A journey of a thousand miles
Begins with just… one… step!
Oh, oh!
Beyond this door's a factory
Begat from just a bean
Beyond this door
Surprise is in store
But it must be believed to be seen
Beyond this door's invention
Where mind meets with machine
Beyond these gates
Astonishment waits
But it must be believed to be seen
No magic spells or potions
Forswear legerdemain
My kingdom's created from notions
All swirling inside of my brain!
Beyond this door's a banquet
Of Wonka-made cuisine
A lucky few will get to pass through
But it must be believed to be seen
Beyond this door is music
Come dance betwixt and between
Beyond this waltz
Is a world without faults
But it must be believed to be seen
Beyond this door's a puzzle
You'll find out what I mean
Beyond this gate
Is the world I create
But it must be believed to be seen
Despite the man seen at these doors
My childhood home was bland like yours
But I knew how to look to find
A world that wasn't colour-blind
Let's hope that you're a bit like me
As you walk through my factory
For in the end there's quite a prize
If you can see with more than eyes…
(spoken)
Golden Ticket winners! Gloop, Teavee, Beauregarde, Salt… Bucket!
(sung)
Your life's about to change now
So don't get left behind
Do things appear quite strange now?
Imagine the wonders you'll find
Beyond this door is chocolate!
So tasty, it's obscene!
So follow me
For I guarantee
That this world I've conceived
And all I've achieved
It must be believed
To be seen!
(spoken)
Do come in.
(End of Act One)