The Candy Man Really Can

By Alessandra Pappallardi

Between the colorful backgrounds, fabulous costumes, and amazing cast, Willy Wonka Junior was sure to be a real hit. The play was quite highly revered in its reviews.

Throughout the entire process of making the play as great as it was, the cast was very hardworking. According to Mrs. DiTargiani, Music Director and Conductor of the Pit Orchestra, “We rehearsed three to four days a week at the beginning of the process and starting February 1st, we began having rehearsals every day after school.”

The cast of Willy Wonka Junior really committed a large amount of effort into the performance, and it paid off. The performance was comical, and overall, very well put together.

The cast made their own sets. During the interview, Mrs. DiTargiani said that the cast made all of the props. “Everything in here was mostly done by the kids. The props were done by the kids with adult supervision. We did have Mrs. Clark help doing props. We did have Mrs. Kamili Hill helping us with our costumes. We did have parents involved, but we did also have students involved as well.” The sets were done by the children of Albert Leonard Middle School, with help of the Art Club. The “Prop Masters” of the play were: Cecilia Roe, Dwight Richards, Matthew Conway, Sarah Rothenstreich, and Samuel Kendall. The kids were devoted to the play, and all their effort paid off. The sets and props were great. It’s unbelievable that they were made by kids!

The audience also loved the play! So many audience members had great things to say. Kerry-Ann Reeves, mother of actor Matt Dodd, who played Mike Teavee, said, “My favorite character is the Candy Man who sells the candy, and of course, Mike Teavee, because that’s my son!!!” Regarding the cast she says that, “Overall, I feel like they are doing an amazing job. I feel like I’m at a Broadway play. Good job guys!” Another parent, Michelle Boggi (mother of Matthew Boggi, who played Mr. Bucket, Charlie’s father) said, “Congratulations to all the performers!”

Students in the audience weren’t shy about their opinions either. Sixth grader, Charlie Bach (who would like to make known he is different from Charlie Bucket) says, “I like this show. I think it’s a nice show.” Jack Cinquemani, another sixth grader exclaimed, “I think it’s a good show because it shows you that you can succeed at anything you try. It shows you that if you just keep trying at something, then you can do it.”

On play night, the cast was both anxious and excited. Victor Garcia-Gallet, who played Charlie Bucket, the main character, says, “I’m really excited, and I hope we do a good job.” The cast did an outstanding job. They were right to be eager because they aced it. On a scale of 1-10 to determine his level of thrill, Victor says, “I’d be 11!”

Matthew Boggi, who played Charlie’s father, said jokingly that his performance level was, “I would say 9.5. That little 0.5 is just because one person is going to mess up on one thing. It’s going to be someone…” Many believed that he was wrong, though, because in many opinions, nobody made a mistake. Nobody had to repeat their lines, and nobody fell off of the stage. It was believed to be a mistake-less show. Even Mrs. DiTargiani had to say, “The cast has gone through a wonderful transition, and I’m very proud of where they have come at the end of their route.” In conclusion, the Candy Man really can make this play sweet.