You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
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ALPENA – If you are old enough that you can remember using a wall-mounted rotary phone, an Easy Bake Oven, and a manual clutch transmission, you will probably also recall, with joy, a syndicated comic strip that featured a round-headed kid who never won a baseball game, a bossy young psychiatrist who charged the grand sum of five cents for a consultation, a young philosopher with his security blanket always close to hand, and an expressive beagle that loved both suppertime and aerial combat with the Red Baron.
These characters are icons of an era, and beginning on October 22nd you can sing along with them and the whole Peanuts gang as Alpena Civic Theatre presents, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. This 1967 musical, with book, music and lyrics written by Clark Gesner, is based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his comic strip Peanuts.
On March 7, 1967, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown premiered off-Broadway at Theatre 80 in the East Village, featuring Gary Burghoff (later to play Radar in the television production of MASH) as Charlie Brown. This production lasted 1,597 performances, closing on February 14, 1971.
On stage at Alpena Civic Theatre, Morgan Suszek will perform the role of Charlie Brown with his loyal, if somewhat free-spirited canine companion, Snoopy, played by the equally free-spirited Bryan Ghekiere, who is also accompanied frequently by his long-suffering feathered friend, Woodstock, played by Callie Barber. Lucy and her younger brother, Linus, are played by Olivia Martin and Colin Hainstack, respectively. Alek Degen, takes on the role of the aspirational concert pianist, Schroeder, and Nava Haus rounds out the principal cast members as the always calm and insightful, Patti. Chorus members, who provide vivid enhancement to the movement, dance, and songs in the production include: Ashley Goodburne, Stephanie Bender, Dani Ayotte, Larry Johns, Adam Poll, Matt Southwell, Krissy Lockwood, Scarlet Poll, Freya Seck, and Sara Kwiatek.
On the crew side of the ledger, Jay Kettler directs the show and he is ably assisted by Doreen Kriniak. Jean Brown-Baker is the Musical Director and Judy Beyer is the Stage Manager. The Choreographer is Marilyn Kettler, and Nick Stone is the Accompanist. Marilyn Kettler is the Costume Designer, and she is assisted by MaryAnn Crawford and Virginia Hulsey. Jay Kettler designed the lighting, and Carol Rundell produced the show.
In the spirit of goodwill for our four-legged friends, Snoopy requests that patrons attending the show consider bringing an item to donate that will help our area dogs and cats. Suggested items include bleach, dryer sheets, paper towels, kitty litter, milk bones, and dog or cat food. All donations will be shared with the Second Chance Animal Shelter and the Huron Humane Society.
If you are ready to rekindle the joy that you felt every year while watching the Charlie Brown Christmas Special as a kid, or even opening the color comics to the Peanuts panels in the Sunday funnies, then you need to see this production.
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown opens October 22nd and runs Thursday through Sunday for two weekends at the Alpena Civic Theatre, located at 401 River Street. For reservations, call 989-354-3624.