Last Chance to See Local Youths in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"

Who better to dramatize a comic strip about young people than young people?

The Madison Recreation Department and Playwrights Theatre this week raised the curtain on the musical, "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown," written by Clark Gesner and based on the famous comic strip “Peanuts,” by Charles Schulz. What is really unique about this production is that it does well showcasing the talents and passion of theatrical youths from the Rose City.

The musical offers one more performance Saturday at 2 p.m. at Playwrights Theatre. For more information, please click here.

The show, directed by Danielle Constance, consists of an all-teenage cast bringing the loveable characters and scenarios of “Peanuts” to life, such as Charlie Brown’s crush on the “Little Redhead Girl,” Lucy’s crush on Schroeder, Snoopy’s love for finally being served supper by Charlie Brown, and Linus’s attachment to his blanket. Even the sets are  familiar, such as Snoopy’s dog house, Lucy’s psychiatrist stand, Schroeder’s tiny piano, and even the wall on which Charlie Brown leans to ease his depression, all of which is very colorful but simple.

Each cast member contributes his or her own specialty. Kasey Colligan playing Lucy Van Pelt really stands out as she puts her heart and soul into the role portraying Lucy and her crabby personality towards both Charlie Brown and her intelligent, younger, blanket-carrying brother Linus, played by Katharine Brundage. Brundage displays a magnificent singing voice during her solo “My Blanket and Me” when Linus professes his love for his blanket and refusal to part with it.

Another memorable singer is Alex Post, who plays Schroeder, the piano-playing fan of Beethoven who wishes to dedicate a celebratory day in the composer’s honor. His rendition of “Beethoven Day” is sung very maturely.

The funniest character is Sally, Charlie Brown’s little sister, played by Sharlys Leszczuk, as she is often on the stage with a humorous monologue or one-liner expressing her latest innocent musings.

There are also dance sequences performed by Ally Dupree as she portrays Woodstock, Snoopy’s sidekick. Snoopy, played by Tori Pedersen, is often present with his wit whether by himself or accompanying the rest of the cast in a scene.

The ensemble Peppermint Patty (Patty Doyle), Marcie (Grace Van Cleef) and Violet (Mary Meyer) brighten the stage as they run around chasing rabbits and butterflies and catching fireflies.

Brian Lang portrays the down-to-earth lead character of Charlie Brown with charm, having his mannerisms down pat.

The show, which was originally produced in the Sixties, displays no conventional plotline that develops from beginning to end but rather, different situations and one-liners here and there, somewhat resembling the actual cartoon version of “Peanuts,” making it interesting and different from other musicals. The group musical numbers are a lot of fun and the accompanying band works with the score very well.

All of the cast members together perform a very enjoyable production for audiences of all ages. There are funny moments and also some heartwarming ones when Lucy is actually nice to Charlie Brown, especially in the musical number “The Doctor is In,” one of the best-sung numbers, when Lucy helps Charlie Brown accept himself for who he is.