In Piscataway High School’s spring musical Wonka, the stage was transformed into a world of pure imagination—complete with candy-coated chaos, inflatable squirrel tails, and a glass elevator that left not a dry eye in the house. But more than the whimsical set and dancing Oompa Loompa’s, what made this production unforgettable was the heart each student poured into it.
At the center of this candy-coated adventure was sophomore Lily Fay, stepping into the iconic dusty shoes of Charlie Bucket. Though traditionally cast as a boy, Lily made the role her own with warmth and optimism that radiated throughout the entire theater. “Charlie Bucket is the light of the show,” she said, “so I never let my expressions fall sad—even when Charlie was let down.” From her heartfelt rendition of “A Letter from Charlie Bucket” to her quiet strength in the final scenes, Lily lit up the stage while leading a cast of mostly upperclassmen. “Although I’ve only known the seniors for two years, they all feel like family to me,” she reflected, holding back tears on closing night.
Among those seniors was Andrea Lydia, drama club president and a known-stellar actress, who played the quirky Cherry Jubilee, a chocolate-loving news reporter. Andrea, who also served as student director and vocal director, described the challenge of taking a seemingly mundane role and “finding ways to make Cherry Jubilee as animated as the show was.” Paired with Jasiah Chambers as Jerry, the duo’s dynamic energy and creativity brought an electric flair to their scenes—so much so that Andrea joked she would’ve loved to switch roles just to “rock a pink suit and be the more melodramatic one.”
Andrea’s journey in theater is full of defining moments—like convulsing during The Crucible court scene or screaming solo as Lady Macbeth—and her advice to younger cast members? “Make choices. Don’t be afraid to look a little silly.” It’s advice that clearly shaped the brave, bold, and beautifully unhinged performance she gave in Wonka.
And speaking of bold performances, Saint Alvin Neequaye, who brought a hilarious twist to Mr. Salt (complete with a Russian accent and iconic fur coat), had the audience roaring with laughter. “It was my first time as a lead,” he shared, “and I was able to properly explore and build the character to fit me.” Saint’s energy, especially during the ensemble favorite “It Must Be Believed to Be Seen,” was infectious. Even his struggles became part of the charm: “At mic checks, I’d sing in the wrong key and run offstage embarrassed,” he laughed.
The backstage antics were just as sweet. Inflatable squirrel tails became their own brand of chaos, and the whole cast huddled around two backstage mics to sing. But amidst the laughter, there was love. Whether it was squeezing hands in pre-show rituals, or cheering from the wings, this cast knew how to support each other.
The show’s final number, “The View from Here,” became more than a curtain call—it was a tribute to the cast’s bond. “To capture the joy I’m supposed to ‘act’ in that moment, I don’t have to act at all,” Andrea said, describing the moment she stood beside her fellow seniors, smiling through tears. For Lily, it was the view from behind the spotlight that mattered most: “I got to see all of the scenes and musical numbers. Watching my friends perform made playing Charlie even more enjoyable.”
As the curtain closed, the bittersweet reality of goodbyes set in. “Since freshman year, Jackson and I would always look at each other on closing night and say, ‘this is gonna be so sad when we’re seniors,’” Andrea shared. “And four years later, it really was.”
But the legacy lives on. Lily still has two years left, and her message to future underclassmen is clear: “Just go for it! Everyone starts somewhere.”
From seasoned seniors taking their final bows to rising stars stepping into the spotlight, Wonka wasn’t just a play—it was a celebration of growth and the magic of believing. As the cast sang their final notes and took their last steps off the PHS stage, one thing was clear: this drama club is truly golden.
