CROW presents ‘You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown’
The Peanuts Gang will be joyfully played by an all-adult cast in production this July
June 25, 2022 — CROW (Children’s Repertory of Oregon Workshops) will proudly present “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” for two weekends, July 22 to 24 and 29 to 31, at the Florence Events Center on the mainstage. There will be six public performances.
Based on the comic strip, “Peanuts,” by Charles M. Schultz, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” was written by Clark Gesner. This whimsical, fun-loving, and charming musical originally opened on Broadway in 1967 and was revived in 1999.
CROW’s Artistic Director Melanie Heard said this show was carefully chosen because it is “such a fun and happy musical that is sure to bring a lot of laughter and smiles to the Florence community. Charlie Brown takes us back to our days of childlike wonder and innocence, when perhaps our biggest worries were getting a book report written on time, winning a baseball game, or whether or not someone actually stole your pencil. It’s a great show for all ages because it’s family-friendly, but the adults in the audience will recall their youth and really connect with these iconic Peanuts characters.”
“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” explores life through the eyes of Charlie Brown and his friends, as they play games, struggle with homework, send Valentines, sing songs and share friendship.
The series of musical vignettes feature Lucy van Pelt (Melanie Heard) as Charlie Brown’s (Chris Owens) strong-minded friend, who analyzes his character. Lucy dominates over her younger brother, Linus (Bill Olson), but shares a special bond with him as well, as she instructs him in her view of life in a song called “Little Known Facts.”
For his part, Linus is a child prodigy in philosophy, calmly delivering wisdom and support to Charlie Brown, while also clinging to his blanket as he sings, “My Blanket and Me.”
Schroeder (Josh Bruce) rarely looks up from his piano long enough to notice Lucy, but he sings a tribute song to his idol, Ludwig Von Beethoven.
Charlie Brown wishes he could get his kite to fly! His sister Sally (Wendy Krause) belts out “My New Philosophy” and she cracks everyone up with her childlike,
slightly stubborn view of the world. Charlie Brown’s lovable dog Snoopy (Brian Sandahl) steals the spotlight in his Grand Finale production number, “Suppertime.” The entire cast highlights some of childhood’s simple joys in the finale, “Happiness,” a beloved classic from the show.
As the show’s director, Sandahl, said, “My very first show EVER was playing Linus in the 4th grade, and then I played Snoopy in high school. Who knew that I’d again be playing Snoopy while directing and designing the show too — almost 55 years later.”
Sandahl, a retired 25-year Disneyland Senior Art Director, is excited to be involved with this production, after recently designing the spectacular set for CROW’s production of Disney’s “Frozen Jr.”
The show will be musically directed and accompanied by Rhianna Haines, choreographed by Heard, and technically designed by Owens, proving that sometimes theatre people really do wear multiple “hats.”
Haines will also direct the live band that will play for the shows — something exciting and unusual for CROW!
Costume/props coordination and production assistant work will be done by Amy Owens and Stage Management will be done by Lori Grimmett.
The playful, cartoon-like set was also designed by Sandahl.
“I hope to bring to life the beloved Peanuts characters in a way that pays homage to the comic strip that many of us grew up with,” he said. “The stage setting will look as though you are peering into a frame of the famous comic strip. The stage size is being reduced to create this intimate and up close look into the world of Charlie Brown.”
For tickets and information about “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” call the Florence Events Center Box Office at 541-997-1994, stop in during business hours or visit www.crowkids.com.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for youth and $18 for Military/Students (with a valid ID at the box office window).
“We look forward to making people smile this summer,” said Heard. “Come play at recess with us!”