Note: This is the third in a three-part series featuring the production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Part one was a show preview, and part two featured Q&As with some of the lead characters. Performances of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory  will be held on Friday, March 4th at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 5th at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 6th at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at the following link: https://www.showtix4u.com/events/wonka  The Saturday matinee tickets are all sold at a discount and tickets will also be available at the door before each performance. [VIEW PART 1 OF Q&A SERIES]

Leslie London

Part in Musical: Violet Beauregarde

Current Grade: 8th

Been in musicals/plays since: 2019 Music Man at PCS, 2021 Adams Family at LHS

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Only in ensemble till this year

Favorite Song in this musical: “In This Room Here”

What interested you in this role: Violet was rude but very entertaining.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I am almost always chewing a piece of gum and my favorite costume piece would have to be my light blue skirt.

What’s the hardest part about your role: Probably remembering to chew the gum the whole time.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: Don’t be so rude to people who try to help you.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: It is very fun and colorful with all the set pieces it looks like something right out of a kid’s imagination.

What is unique about this musical: it’s clever wording and surprising characters.

What other activities are you involved in: I am an active member of Mountville Presbyterian and enjoy attending youth group at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Future plans: To be in more musicals, plays and concert choir while I attend Lincoln HS.

Lila Fox 

Part in Musical:  Mike Teavee

Current Grade: 8th

Been in musicals/plays since: 2021

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: I was the flapper ancestor in the Addams family musical!

Favorite Song in this musical: Pure imagination

What interested you in this role: I really love how funny all my characters’ lines are and thought they would be hilarious to say on stage.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I have a gamer chair that I get pushed around in on stage. That’s my icon prop.

What’s the hardest part about your role: The hardest part is probably the fact I have to make my voice crack a lot for my character.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show:  My character has taught me how annoying phones or other devices can sometimes be.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think the audience will love all of the candy props that look super real.

What is unique about this musical: We have a flying scene this year.

What other activities are you involved in: I’m in the LHS marching band.

Future plans: I’m not completely sure but I’d love to do more musicals in the future!

Hayden Slade

Part in Musical: I am the Candyman, Mr. Gloop, and Mr. Bucket.

Current Grade: 11

Been in musicals/plays since: I’ve been involved with musical theater since I was 6 years old; I started with Studio P here in Ellwood and Jeter Backyard Theater in Gibsonia. Willy Wonka is my 6th Lincoln musical.

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Annie Get Your Gun, Little Women, Mary Poppins (Von Hussler), Shrek (King Harold, Thelonius, Pig, and Tapping Rat), Addam’s Family (Lurch and Mal).

Favorite Song in this musical: I Eat More is my favorite; it’s a fun song and I get to sing in a German accent.

What interested you in this role: I like playing the Candyman and bringing joy to all of the kids in town.  As Mr. Gloop, this is my fifth time playing a role with a German accent.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I love the candy cart; it’s colorful, full of all different types of candy, and has the iconic Wonka logo. I think it will really bring the joy of a candy shop to the audience!

What’s the hardest part about your role: The hardest part is that I have three roles and sometimes have to be in consecutive scenes as different characters. Changing costumes as fast as I can is going to be a challenge!

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: The Candyman has taught me that even small kindnesses that we give to others can brighten their entire world.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: This musical sparks the childhood joy in everyone, from actual kids to those who haven’t been kids for a long time.

What is unique about this musical: Even though it is a bright and cheery musical, if you are paying really attention, you will notice a lot of dark themes and horrific events.

What other activities are you involved in: In school, I play the tuba in the marching band, am in the choir, and participate in various clubs. Outside of school, I am an Eagle Scout in Ellwood City’s Boy Scout Troop 806 and am a co-founder of a nonprofit organization called Games to Give.

Future plans: I plan to attend a 4-year university to study cybersecurity and mathematics.

Lynden Beinhauer

Part in Musical: Phineous Trout

Current Grade: 10th

Been in musicals/plays since: 3rd grade

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Marta in the Sound of Music, Little Women, The Little Mermaid, Shrek, Understudy Wednesday/ The Adams Family.

Favorite Song in this musical: “There’s no knowing”

What interested you in this role: The amount of sarcasm and attitude the character has.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: Definitely my microphone.

What’s the hardest part about your role: Keeping a straight face with all of your friends around.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: To enjoy being a kid.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: How bright and fun it is, and all of the surprises of course.

What is unique about this musical: Its nostalgic and very energetic.

What other activities are you involved in: History club and Snow sports club

Future plans: I plan to go to college and become a Game Commission Officer.