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The recently released biography of Charles Schultz by David
Michaelis describes a deeply lonely man as full of insecurities as Charlie
Brown, and who felt true happiness was as eternally elusive as the football
when Charlie Brown tried to kick it. Whether that’s an accurate portrayal of
the man who gave us the beloved Peanuts comic strip and immortal characters is
debated. But there’s no doubt we’ve all felt like Charlie Brown at times in our
lives, which is probably why he resonates with so many people all over the
world. And just before The Great Pumpkin arrives, the autumn leaves just
beginning to change, Hartford Children’s Theatre is staging the most successful
musical based on the Peanuts characters, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
The comfortable new theatre is located just behind a nice,
old house on one of the quiet, picturesque main streets of Hartford. All the
seats are good and close to the small stage, which is decked out nicely by
Scenic Designer Ryan Ratelle including a couple big blocks painted with
landscapes and representations of some of the characters’ shirts on alternating
sides, some large, movable background panels with landscapes that can be
reversed to depict homes and other settings, paintings of a mailbox and a hydrant
on the wings, and countless cutouts of Peanuts comic strips pasted up all along
the outside of the proscenium arch, which frames our live comic strip filled
with several talented performers of a cast ranging in age from 11 to 18.
Of course, any discussion of the cast of You’re a Good
Man, Charlie Brown has to begin with…Snoopy. Ronnie Bowman is a
great comedian as the daring, sometimes lazy, sometimes melodramatic beagle who
fights the Red Baron from his doghouse rooftop despite being terrified of heights
– a phobia he portrays very well, perhaps drawing on the actor’s own phobia of
dogs, which has made this role somewhat unusual and therapeutic for him. The
director and actors do a marvelous job of making Snoopy and a hilarious
Woodstock (Jenna Wyman) into a good team, often hanging out together on
the sidelines when not center stage, always in tune with each other. When
Snoopy survives his moment of fear of heights, a relieved Woodstock has to wipe
away her own nervous perspiration. When Snoopy is in a fast-flying dogfight
with the Red Baron, Woodstock lazily flies by without a care in the world. When
Sally wants to go rabbit hunting with Snoopy, Woodstock reluctantly puts on the
rabbit ears (but puts an end to it when she throws on fake fangs and scares
Sally away). And when Snoopy is preparing for the pinnacle scene of the show,
the big Suppertime number, it’s Woodstock who coolly hands Joe Cool his
sunglasses. Next thing you know, Snoopy is leading the cast into a celebration
of supper that will culminate in the charisma of a religious revival and
involve a kickline with stainless steel supper bowls.
Lisa Crowley is a tough-as-nails Lucy with a classic
obnoxious attitude, a brutal psychologist, and a gushy but frustrated pursuer
of piano-playing Schroeder. Eleven-year-old Casie Pepe-Winshell is a
remarkable young talent with outstanding comedy, singing, expressions, and sass
to spare – all of which comes into play in describing her many “new
philosophies.” Other good performances come from David Goldman offering
a serious examination of Peter Rabbit and leading the cast in My
Blanket and Me (he’s Linus, of course). As Schroeder, Tyler Propfe
leads the cast in a funky celebration (but not commercialization) in honor of
Beethoven Day. As Violet, Adreanna Buccheri is an energetic, fun, and
funny presence throughout, even during scene changes (Adreanna actually uses a
violet-colored cell phone in the real world – a Christmas present from last
year. Destined by Santa to play the role of Violet?) Elsewhere, Thomas Beebe
clearly relishes the role of the messy Pig Pen. Emmie Pepe-Winshell and Kaitlyn
Woelfel are friends Peppermint Patty and nerdy Marcie. And Kasie Fagan
is Charlie’s crush, the Little Red-Headed Girl, whose wistful and sympathetic
glances towards Charlie give us hope she might like him as much as he likes
her.
Director Lisa Foss has a great sense for the
show, and every member of her cast is in tune with that sense each moment of
the play. Possibly helped by all the research they had to do for the show –
reading tons of Peanuts comic strips. The result is a charming production that
is sure to give the world a little more Happiness.
Oh good grief, I almost forgot. Charlie Brown! Luke
Murphy is the highly likeable underdog who you can’t help but root for,
even when you know how it’s going to end up. When he optimistically points his
baseball bat Babe Ruth style towards the fence, you just know he’s about to
strike out. But you also know he’s going to keep on trying.
Performed October 12-28, 2007.
Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre
~ Cast ~
Charlie Brown: Luke Murphy
Snoopy: Ronnie Bowman
Lucy: Lisa Crowley
Schroeder: Tyler Propfe
Linus: David Goldman
Sally: Casie Pepe-Winshell
Violet: Andreanna Buccheri
Pig Pen: Thomas Beebe
Peppermint Patty: Emmie Pepe-Winshell
Marcie: Kaitlyn Woelfel
Little Red-Headed Girl: Kasie Fagan
Woodstock: Jenna Wyman
Director/Musical Director/Choreographer: Lisa Foss
Costume Designer: Susan Aziz
Scenic Designer: Ryan Ratelle
Lighting Designer: Jennifer Blessing Miceli
Sound Designer: Michael C. Miceli
Production Stage Manager: Katelyn Boushee
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