Happiness
Is…“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”
at
MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre Jan. 6-15
12/12/05
| Spend
a day with Charlie Brown when Maurer Productions OnStage presents
“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”
at MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre. Performance dates for this revised,
Tony-nominated version of the 1967 original are: Fridays and Saturdays,
Jan. 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m., and Sundays, Jan. 8 and 15 at 2
p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on Mercer’s West
Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. An opening night reception
follows the Jan. 6 performance to give audience members a chance
to share refreshments with the cast and crew.
One of the most popular musicals in history, a major Broadway revival of “Charlie Brown” was undertaken in 1999 by composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa and director Michael Mayer. With the blessing of comic strip creator Charles Schulz himself, seventeen original scenes were deleted and 21 new ones were added; seven of the original 14 songs were revised and two new ones were added. The result is a brand new experience for a whole new generation of theater goers. Audiences will laugh along as the show captures the poignant moments in the lives of the Peanuts gang. Valentine's Day, the trials of baseball season, Lucy as psychiatrist, Schroeder on piano, Snoopy and his adventures – they’re all here in a single vivid day that veers from wild optimism to utter despair, from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening. Adding his special creative touch to the production is director and producer John Maurer. “Theatre audiences expect a lot more these days and we’re doing our best to give it to them,” Maurer said. “It’s not enough to have a big dog house on stage; people want to see a WWI flying ace take it into battle against the Red Baron. It’s not enough to sing about flying a kite; the kite really needs to fly…almost.” Maurer brings more than 30 years of theatre experience to bear in this production. Personally taking responsibility for the show’s art direction, set design and mechanical effects, Maurer has one goal in mind. “I really want to surprise our audience by bringing a dimension to Charlie Brown’s world they would never expect to see on a local stage. We’ve been blessed with an enormously talented cast that really embodies the characters. If we can recreate Charlie Brown’s world to match their talent, I think we can deliver something very special," he said. “It’s a tall order, I know,” Maurer added. “You should have seen the look on our choreographer’s face when I told her she needed to teach the blankets to dance.” “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” features John Zimmerman as Charlie Brown; Stephanie Delaney as Lucy Van Pelt; John Boccanfuso as Linus Van Pelt; Michaela Tomcho as Sally Brown; Kyrus Westcott as Schroeder; and Michael Schiumo as Snoopy. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for students and children. Free parking is available next to the theatre. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-584-9444. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices upon request. For a complete listing of adult and children’s events, visit the Kelsey webpage or call the box office for a brochure. For more on events at Kelsey see: 2005-06
Kelsey Performance Schedule |
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The
cast includes, from left, John Buccanfuso as Linus, Kyrus Westcott
as Schroeder, Michael Schiumo as Snoopy, John Zimmerman (seated)
as Charlie Brown, Stephanie Delaney as Lucy and Michaela Tomcho
as Sally. |
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| Charlie
Brown (John Zimmerman) seeks advice from Lucy (Stephanie Delaney).
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| A
wary Schroeder (Kyrus Westcott) is serenaded by an adoring Lucy
(Stephanie Delaney). |
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Sally
(Michaela Tomcho) and Snoopy (Michael Schiumo) are on the hunt
for rabbits. |
