PENDLETON — A chocolate factory, Oompa Loompas and the mysterious Willy Wonka himself are coming to Pendleton.

College Community Theatre opens “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka” on April 24 in the Bob Clapp Theatre at Blue Mountain Community College. The story is a familiar one, from both Dahl’s children’s novel and the 1971 “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” film starring Gene Wilder.

“Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka” runs Thursdays through Sundays from April 24 to May 11 in the Bob Clapp Theatre at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton. Shows are at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are $20 adult, $16 senior and $12 per student/child. Purchase tickets at www.collegecommunitytheatre.com or at the box office in Pioneer Hall one hour before the show opens.

Murray Dunlap is taking on the titular character and said he spent time researching multiple versions of Willy Wonka before settling on his character. He said his personal favorite part of the show has been finding that character, trying to get it right.

“There are pieces we’ve brought in of all of them but really focusing on the stature of the Gene Wilder Wonka,” he said. “You have to have the stature of owning a chocolate factory, but you have to be a little bit crazy. There’s also the question of how much is he playing crazy for the children and how much is who he actually is. We wanted to make him a little dark but not too dark. He’s a little crazed but not too much. It’s been a lot of fun.”

An experienced performer, this is Dunlap’s first theatrical show since “The Sound of Music.”

“There are a lot of people I knew from before, a lot of new faces,” he said. “There are a lot of fun songs. They did a really great job with the sets. The sets are amazing.”

In the play, we meet impoverished Charlie Bucket as he finds a golden ticket and is transported into a new life of magic and mayhem. In the CCT production, Charlie is played by Elladaya Spencer.

“It’s really fun to work with all these people,” Spencer said. “It’s a really fun show. You’ll laugh, and there’s a lot of wholesome stuff, ‘Cheer Up Charlie’ is just amazing. If you don’t come, you’ll be missing out.”

This stage version has been adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald. Music and lyrics are by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.

The Pendleton production is directed by Anna Cavallo with music direction by Carly Elder and choreography by Madison Cates.

Featuring a cast of more than 30 people, the production will fill the theater with song, music, and a dose of magic.

“Everyone should come see the show to see how much we’re able to entrance you into the chocolate factory,” Murray said. “We’ve put on a fun version of this show. We have good energy, great sets. I think the audience will be surprised.”