If you’ve been longing to spend some time in a world where rivers are made of chocolate and candy bars can be sent via television, you may want to check out “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

The show is a joint production of the Ames Children’s Theater and the Ames Community Theater and will be presented at ACTORS Theater, 120 Abraham Drive.

Linda Sabo, temporary instructor of health and human performance at Iowa State, is directing the show, which was written by Roald Dahl and adapted by Richard R. George and Linda Sabo.

Sabo said the opportunity to work with the Ames Children’s Theater was one of the main reasons she decided to direct the play.

“A friend of mine, who is a producer for the Ames Children’s Theater, asked if I’d be interested in [directing the show] last spring,” Sabo said. “At the time, I didn’t have anything planned for right now, and I haven’t done anything with them for a while. I have a high regard for the Ames Children’s Theater.”

Although she had never worked with the Ames Community Theater [ACTORS] before, Sabo has enjoyed the experience.

“In the process of getting to know the people at ACTORS, I’ve been very impressed,” Sabo said. “They are all very professional and highly motivated.”

Sabo, who said she enjoys both the book and the movie, has added additional things from the book into George’s adaptation.

“The book had a strong impact on me,” Sabo said. “There is such warmth in the Bucket family that I wanted to capture on stage, [so] I inserted more narration from the book.”

Lynn Lloyd, who is producing, costuming and acting in the show, said people should be aware that this show is not the musical but rather a play version of the book.

Lloyd, who plays Grandma Georgina as well as Mrs. Bouregard, said there were a number of challenges during the preparation process.

“Most adults are double cast,” Lloyd said. “It’s a nice challenge for those of us who enjoy it.”

Lloyd also said that creating the illusion of the chocolate factory on such a small scale was an obstacle.

“[The audience] enters into a world of candy canes, gumball machines and chocolate rivers,” Lloyd said. “That was very challenging because of the size of the [ACTORS’] space.”

To tackle the scenic challenge, Sabo enlisted her husband, Fritz Szabo, who is also the resident scenic designer at ISU.

Sabo said she has always been a fan of her husband’s work, and the work he has done for “Charlie” is no exception.

“Even on a small budget, he can make it look magical,” she said.

Sabo noted that working with children always makes a show interesting.

“Working with kids is challenging and rewarding,” Sabo said. “You need to approach them in a more careful way — a way that won’t scare them or make them nervous.

“We’ve had periods where it’s hard,” Sabo said. “I get disoriented because they have a lot of questions. They have very creative thoughts, and I don’t want to squelch that.”

Sabo said aside from the fantasy of Charlie’s world, there are some important themes to the story.

“Roald Dahl paints a broad picture of what is good and what is bad,” Sabo said. “Family is important; it’s important to be respectful to other people.”

Sabo also emphasized what an important learning experience children’s theater can be.

“I want the audience to have a good time, but I also want them to see the kids on stage and understand what a great experience this has been,” Sabo said. “Maybe parents in the audience will encourage their kids to be involved in the performing arts.”

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” will be performed at the ACTORS theater, 120 Abraham Dr., Feb. 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 14, 20 and 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at John Huber Clothier, or at the door, and are $10 for adults and $6 for children.