This weekend, members of the Northwestern Lehigh drama club seek to entertain the young and the young at heart with its production of “Willy Wonka Jr.”

In a world of “Pure Imagination” lives the mysterious Willy Wonka and his magical factory of gourmet goodies.

Based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl, the tale follows the iconic “Candy Man’s” search to find a heir to his chocolate kingdom.

A first for the drama students at Northwestern, this late spring musical is an addition to their usual two-play season.

“The kids just finished up with our spring musical, ‘Annie Get Your Gun,’” said Laura Huerst, whose daughter, Emilly Witt plays the bratty Violet Beauregarde, who turns purple after chewing experimental bubble gum. “The kids worked so hard to get this done.”

According to Huerst, this show is a family affair.

The sets, props and most of the costumes were provided by students and parents under the direction of Jill Danner with rented costumes from Drop Me A Line, Allentown.

Sets and props were mostly done by parents Tom and Sheryl Baran, Peter Huerst with painting by Jeanette Steber and Eileen Haddad.

Lori Devers organized the program, props and cast.

Senior actor Zach McDonald plays the dual role of Willy Wonka and the Candy Man.

“The original Willy Wonka, with actor Gene Wilder, was one of my favorite movies as a kid,” he explained.

McDonald said his favorite role at Northwestern was playing Willard Hewett in “Footloose.”

He would like to continue his love of music while he attends Virginia Tech to major in either mechanical or materials engineering.

McDonald wants to craft guitars for a living.

Junior Alec Marchek portrays Charlie Bucket, a young man whose family lives in extreme poverty.

An eternal optimist, however, Charlie’s fortune changes when he gets one of the golden tickets to visit the Chocolate Factory.

“Obviously everyone loves the fun of candy and chocolate on the surface, but there are a lot of positive messages in this show as well,” said Marchek. “There’s a song called ‘Think Positive,’ which Marchek says sums up his character’s view on life.

The down-on-its-luck Bucket family is headed by Grandpa Joe played by senior Quentin Bernhard.

Bernhard has performed in Northwestern’s fall drama productions before, but is excited for his first musical performance.

“This will be my first musical and it’s been great,” said Bernhard, who plans to attend either Muhlenberg or Gettysburg College to pursue a liberal arts degree.

“This play will be our major fundraiser, so we are hoping people come out to see it!”

In previous years, the drama students at Northwestern Lehigh hosted a Gong Show as their spring fundraiser, but this year, they decided to try their hand at a third production, working diligently for six weeks to make the show a reality.

“This is a great opportunity to give more of our students a chance to perform,” said Bill Mutimer, resident director and choreographer at Northwestern Lehigh.

With its familiar plot and nostalgic songs such as “Pure Imagination” and “The Candy Man,” the cast, crew and a dozen or so “Oompa-Loompas” are hopeful “Willy Wonka, Jr.” will delight and entertain the entire community.

“Willy Wonka Jr.” will be performed at Northwestern Lehigh High School 7 p.m. April 22 and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. April 23.

Tickets will be sold at the door.