‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown:’ A good time for all ages

Published 11:06 am Tuesday, September 13, 2022

This fall, McNeese Theatre will be presenting their iteration of the stage musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlies Brown,” which will premiere on Wednesday, Oct. 19.

The musical follows the “Peanuts” gang as they navigate the realms of love and growing up.

“ ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown’ should be a good time for all ages, ‘’ said Paul Pharris, McNeese Theatre technical director. “It shows a day in the life of Charlie Brown and his friends.”

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He said the characters will be “exploring their interactions with each other, while trying to navigate school, life, and emotion.”

According to Pharris, the play will feature 15 songs, monologues, and plenty of interesting character interactions.

“The songs are upbeat and fun,” he said. “The playful ideas are a throwback to sounds that elicit happiness, like through the song ‘Happiness 9.’ ”  Some other notable songs include “Snoopy’s Suppertime,” an upbeat song accompanied by a dance number, and “Schroeder’s Beethoven Day,” which Pharris referred to as “a celebration of sound.”

The characters’ ages range from 3 to 6 with Sally Brown and Linus being the youngest, and Charlie and Lucy being the oldest. Pharris said the cast will still be composed of teen and young adult actors, and their challenge will be to portray the mannerisms and dilemmas of children.

“Even though the performers are between the ages of mid-teen to adult, they are still playing a cast of kids, and one amazing dog,” he said.

“We have an amazing cast,” he continued. “They are eager and excited to get to work on the show. They all bring something exciting to the table, giving their all in the work.”

 The primary cast will be supported by the ensemble, aka “The Peanuts Gang.” This “gang” will also make up a major part of the backstage crew.

 “They will work together to make the show happen,” he said.

 The official primary cast is as follows — Reese Manuel as Lucy; Karlie Drounett as Linus; Rebecca Harris as Snoopy; Braden Magness as Charlie Brown; Juliet Riviere as Sally; and Jaspin Vaughn as Schroeder. Caden Fontenot, Ashlynn Elliot, Kaley Firth, Sylvia Leger and Amber Garner are also notable members of the cast and crew.

 “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” will be showing at the Tritico Theater at McNeese State University from Wednesday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 23. The shows on Oct. 19, 20, 21, and 22 will show at 7:30 p.m. and the show on Oct. 23 will be at 2 p.m.

 General admission tickets will be $15. Sowela Technical Community College and local students will be able to purchase tickets for $5. McNeese students with valid student IDs will be able to view the musical for free.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.mcneese.edu/boxoffice.