Centralia College is bringing to life Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang, with its production of Clark Gesner’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” starting tonight at 7 p.m., at Corbet Theatre at Centralia College.
“There’s timelessness to Charlie Brown that is powerful and connects to every one of us,” said Brian Tyrrell, director and head of the theater/drama department at Centralia College. “When we are kids everything is either up or down, there’s really no in between. This play gives kids and adults the ability to see and relive these experiences through the characters on stage.”
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is based on the life of the 10-year-old lovable loser Charlie Brown and his endless determination, although he is cursed with a permanent case of bad luck.
“There’s so much hope to this play and working with this cast of 18- to 20-year-olds, it has been easier for them to go back in time and perform like they’re are 10 or 11 years old again and use that genuine enthusiasm to feed on for an even more believable performance,” Tyrrell said.
This is the first musical of the school year for Centralia College, and for some of the cast, their first-ever musical performance.
“This is my first time singing, dancing and acting in a play,” said Chelsea Arnett, 19, Winlock, who plays Snoopy. “It challenges you in a completely different way than just acting alone. In a musical like this you are able to be a kid again. It’s freeing, so it was easier to take direction from Brian and from our choreographer at the same time.”
For first-time choreographer Megan Tyrrell, 22, Olympia, this experience was more than the first time she choreographed a full musical. It was the first time she stood side-by-side with her mentor and father Brian Tyrrell, instead of being up on stage taking direction from him.
“I’ve been performing as long as I can remember, since both my parents have been either teaching or acting since the day I was born. My daycare was pretty much the stage,” said Megan Tyrrell. “This experience working with my father as a choreographer and not as a student was amazing. I look up to him and have learned so much from him, it felt great to utilize all those skills and training.”
Attending the theater program at Centralia College before transferring to the University of Idaho, Megan Tyrrell said she understood the process the cast was going through learning lines, dance moves and then combining it all together.
“I gave them the direction for the choreography, but it’s their personalities that will truly bring the characters to life and bring their talent and what I taught them together and touch the community,” said Megan Tyrrell.
“Megan did a great job and I knew she would,” said Brian Tyrrell.
“Being her father, you could say I may be biased, but she has worked hard and earned this opportunity all on her own. To have her step into my shoes, and not be directing her upon stage, I couldn’t be more proud,” Tyrrell said.
R.E. Bennett’s second- and third-grade students will enjoy a special all school field trip to Corbet Theatre the morning of Friday, Feb. 25, for a private showing of the play.
“I’m really excited about performing for the kids from R.E. Bennett. To see their reactions is probably the performance I look most forward to,” said Clayton Cline, 18, Chehalis, who is playing Linus Van Pelt.
This is something R.E. Bennett does with their students every other year, according to Principal Kimberly Cameron.
“We took the kids to see Peter Pan at Corbet Theatre two years ago. We either take the kids there or Brian Tyrrell will bring his students here,” said Cameron.
The cast believes these students could be their toughest critics.
“Since our characters are the same age as they are, they will be able to notice if we aren’t portraying the characters correctly,” Cline said, while still holding on to his character Linus’ signature blue blanket.
“There’s a hope that is in every scene of this play and it’s such an amazing message that as we grow up we seem to forget,” said Chase Gullekson, 20, Olympia, who plays Charlie Brown. “As a kid everything is brand new and every situation can be exciting or devastating, giving our audience the chance to experience these emotions again or for the first time. That is our goal as performers.”
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Sarah Welsh is a freelance reporter who lives in Centralia.
