Step into the vibrant cartoon frames of the Peanuts gang when the Blowing Rock Stage Company’s Rocket Players Youth Theatre (ages 9-22) stages You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, the beloved musical comedy based on the characters from Charles Schultz’s iconic comic strip Peanuts. Charlie Brown will play May 1-4 at the Mariam & Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center, 152 Jamie Fort Road, Blowing Rock.
“I have been a huge Peanuts fan since I was a child, always rushing to the Sunday comics to see the color cartoons,” says director Melvin Tunstall III. “I don’t think there was TV special I didn’t see. Hearing those familiar chords of the theme instantly brings a smile to my face and a tap to my feet, so working for weeks on this show has been better than therapy. And cheaper! I love this cast! Many worked on High School Musical with me so it has been more of a reunion than rehearsals. They know my directing style and have gone above and beyond to make this production a great follow up to last year's hit.”
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown follows an average day in the life of everyone’s favorite Blockhead. Based on the 1999 Tony-winning Broadway revival of the show, this family-friendly song-and-dance is comprised of a series of characteristic Charlie Brown moments — from Valentine’s Day to baseball season, the Red Baron to out-patient lemonade stands, wild optimism to utter despair, human friends to canine companions — all cased within the minimal confines of a larger-than-life Sunday funny papers backdrop.
Along with the added character of Sally Brown, the Broadway revival also benefited from an updated score by Andrew Lippa. Says Tunstall of the reworking, lyricist Clark M. Gesner’s “classics from the original are still intact,” like “Suppertime,” Snoopy’s romping ode to food, and the sweet, rousing finale, “Happiness.” But this Charlie Brown is considerably more upbeat with Lippa’s addition of Sally’s vaudevillian number, “My New Philosophy,” and Schroeder’s classical-R&B mash-up, “Beethoven Day.”
Even better, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown entertains in equal measure adults who were reared on a diet of Peanuts and kids who should be exposed to timeless characters with whom they can both identify and laugh (at).
The show will be highlighted by a full orchestra under the direction of Billy Ralph Winkler, well known for his musical skills throughout the High Country and beyond.
Underscores Tunstall, “I believe everyone can find at least one of the characters to identify with. Because they are young, they are very honest, and that is most endearing, and often, comical.”
Performance times are May 1 & 2 at 7pm, May 3 at 2 & 7pm, and May 4 at 2pm. Tickets are $14, $7 for students, and are available now by calling the Box Office at 295-9627. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.HayesCenter.org by credit card. Special group rates are also available.