What did it take to produce last week’s Middle School musical, “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory?” Before the show opened Friday night, Director Mary Carpenter ran down the numbers — 78 students, 11 faculty members, three outside professionals and 27 parents. All told, 119 people were involved, she said.

“I just want to say thank you to the community for supporting the kids’ work,” Mary wrote later in an email.

The show — a trip to “the world of pure imagination” — sold out the Muller Auditorium on Friday night.

Lively piano music by Choral Teacher Jayne Swank Borras set an uptempo pace for the “Oompa Loompa” dancers and enlivened scene changes. Technical Theater Director Seth Schmitt-Hall was the mastermind behind the large-screen projections showing fanciful scenes from inside the chocolate factory.

At the end, an appreciative audience responded with whistles and cheers. The students, in turn, thanked their teachers by handing them — what else? —  chocolate bars.

Photographer John Flak took photos of the production in dress rehearsal, which are available for purchase. Click here for instructions on how to order.