3 stars
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” continues to delight audiences.
Can an off-Broadway musical based on cartoonist Charles M. Schulz’s well-loved “Peanuts” comic strip characters that is more than 50 years old still be relevant?
The answer is Yes!
With music and lyrics by Clark Gesner, the musical opened off-Broadway in 1967 and ran for almost four years.
Popular with regional theaters, a new version directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening and Thoroughly Modern Millie) featuring additional songs by Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family) ran on Broadway in 1999. It won the Drama Desk Award for “Outstanding Revival of a Musical.”
Citadel Theatre, in Lake Forest s playing this updated, fast-paced and high-energy award-winning version, now through Dec. 23, 2021.
The play features a series of vignettes, almost like a cartoon strip, that chronicles the trials and tribulations of childhood.
Fifty years later, the characters have the same insecurities, the same issues about friendship, sports and their own failures.
Charlie Brown continues to have a crush on sweet little red-headed girl whom he discovers chews her pencil, too.
He is the eternal optimist, but he never gets a break. He is still the same blockhead.
In this updated production, the audience will encounter some references to present-day items such as “bit coin.”
Directed by Joe Lehman and choreographed by Jake Ganzer with music direction by David Zizic, memorable music includes the title song, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Happiness,” a piece that highlights enjoying the little things in life.
The cast, top-rated with hapless Charlie Brown played by Neil Stratman and Lucy played by Actor Equity member Sierra White, also includes Jimmy Hogan (from Citadel’s “Annie) as Schroeder; Marcellus Burt (of Griffin’s Ragtime) as Linus and Alley Ellis as Sally. Tuesdai B. Perry is Snoopy. It’s hard enough to play a role, much more so, that of a pup.
Kudos to Sally and Schroeder whose tap dance knocks it out of the park.
Mention must be made of the incredible, colorful lighting design by Samuel Stephen that almost takes on a role by itself. Flashing emotions help showcase the feelings of the cast.
Also, the props design by Jonathan Berg Einhorn are larger-than-life, adorable and infinitely better than using the real things.
DETAILS: “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is at Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, through Dec. 23, 2021. Run Time: approximately 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission. For tickets and more information visit Citadel Theatre.
State COVID restrictions in effect at the time will be enforced at Citadel’s 144-seat performing space. The show is suitable for general audiences aged 5 and older.
Mira Temkin
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