The following comes from the Mainstage Center for the Arts.
Mainstage Center for the Arts (MCA) presents “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, a musical for all ages, October 12 to 14 at Dennis Flyer Theater, Camden County College, Blackwood.
This award-winning Broadway revival version brings Charles Schultz’s beloved characters to life. It follows one full day in the lives of Charlie Brown (John Koza of Mantua) and the “Peanuts” gang capturing classic moments such as Schroeder (Frank Testa of Blackwood) at the piano, Linus (Christian DeCola of Maple Shade) with his blanket, Lucy (Nicole Duffy of Williamstown) as a psychiatrist, Sally (Kaylee Corrato) frustrated with her teacher; and Snoopy (Brielle Hina of Sewell) waiting eagerly for supper.
Of portraying everyone’s favorite blockhead, Koza said, “I’m having a lot of fun playing Charlie Brown and am enjoying acting out his mixed emotions. I love how he’s happy one minute and then depressed the next.”
Charlie Brown’s loyal companion Snoopy is also a multifaceted character, explained Hina, “One challenging part about playing Snoopy is that although he is a silly character, he also takes himself seriously. So for example, while he’s sitting on his doghouse yelling about the Red Baron, which to the audience is a very comedic moment, to Snoopy it is very important and serious. I have to find a way to show how Snoopy takes himself seriously while still being that comedic character everyone loves.”
The production features 14 upbeat songs including “My New Philosophy,” “The Baseball Game,” “Suppertime,” and the well-known “Happiness.”
Director Stephanie Filippo said, “The line ‘happiness is coming home again’ in the the song ‘Happiness’ is especially meaningful for me. Mainstage and Summer Stage was my home growing up and where I made some of my closest friends. It’s fitting to be directing a show about friendship at Mainstage.”
The production also includes a small ensemble featuring: Charlie Bell of Somerdale (Gloucester Township); Angelina Canavan and Shannon Enright of Glassboro; Carleigh Cusick and Alison Maselek of Sewell; Isaiah Lee of Williamstown; Ryan McDermott and Nadya Solometo of Sicklerville; Ashleigh Neilio of Magnolia; Riane O’Donnell and Diana Pinolini of Blackwood.
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” runs Oct. 12 and 13, at 7 p.m. and Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $13 for seniors/students and $16 for adults. Group tickets are available. To order tickets, visit www.mainstage.org, or call (856) 936–2467, ext 3.
