From the Director:

Walk into Target and buy a Snoopy shirt. Listen to the radio at Christmas and hear “Linus and Lucy.” Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on AppleTV.  Why do the characters of Charlie Brown and his Peanuts friends that were first penned in 1950 resonate with us even today? 

Perhaps we all see a little of ourselves in the lovable loser in yellow with black chevron. How many times have we maintained hope that our Lucy would let us actually kick the football?

While Charles Schulz based Charlie Brown loosely on himself, he immortalized his characters through his contemplative style and dark humor. Throughout the 17,897 original 4-panel strips from October 5,1920 to February 13, 2000 (the day after Charles Schulz’s death), this group of children pondered philosophical, psychological, and sociological overtones across the decades. 

I was privileged to do the original show when I was at Pennfield Middle School in 1999 under the direction of Patricia Carter and Barb Renzi (whom I later collaborated with at Pennbrook musicals for 10 years!). As a middle school student I loved the humorous one-liners. Now, as an adult I love relating with the production team when we recognize our own children in the antics of Sally/Linus (5 years old) and Charlie/Schroeder/Lucy (8 years old). 

Congratulations to the amazing 130+ students who have worked countless hours at home and at school! These kind hearted students have been supportive, respectful, and hilarious. To our 9th Graders we want to thank you for sticking with theatre when the ‘“going got tough.”  As you leave from Pennbrook, remember the following life lessons from “Peanuts”:

1. Never Stop Trying

2. Even the Wise Need Security

3. Feel Free to Ponder the Big Questions

4. ...But Don't Take Anything Too Seriously

5. It's OK to Be Quiet

6. Embrace the Power of Your Imagination

7. Be Yourself Every Day

8. Dance Like No One's Watching

9. Sing With Someone Else

10. Enjoy the Simple Things

“For Happiness is anyone and anything at all that’s loved by you.” 

-Mrs. Katie Campbell

Program Notes:

You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown opened in New York City on March 7, 1967 and played for 1,597 performances at the Theatre 80, with Gary Burghoff in the title role. This version was revived on Broadway in 1971 and played for 32 performances at the John Golden Theatre. A new version, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Revised), was presented on Broadway in 1999 and played for 149 performances at the Ambassador Theatre, with Tony Award-winning performances by Roger Bart as Snoopy and Kristin Chenoweth as Sally.