The Tenino Young-At-Heart Theatre will host eight performances of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” from July 21 through July 30 at Tenino High School.
The 1967 musical is based on the Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz, with music and lyrics by Clark Gesner and Andrew Lippa.
Director Isaac McKenzieSullivan stated in a news release that the show “is a great example of how iconic characters can come to life on stage and give us an opportunity to think about ourselves and those around us in a new light.”
The production will explore life through the eyes of Charlie Brown (played by Noah McKenzieSullivan) and his friends, as they play baseball, struggle with homework, send Valentines, celebrate Beethoven Day, sing songs and share friendship.
The series of vignettes and songs feature Lucy van Pelt (Theresa McKenzieSullivan) as Charlie Brown’s strong-minded friend, who analyzes his character in “The Doctor Is In.” Lucy dominates over her younger brother, Linus (Nathaniel McKenzieSullivan, Theresa’s son in real life), but shares a special bond with him as she instructs him in her view of life in “Little Known Facts.”
The release states Linus is a child prodigy in philosophy, calmly delivering wisdom and support to Charlie Brown, while also clinging to his blanket as he sings, “My Blanket and Me.” Lucy sings “Schroeder” to her heartthrob, the musician Schroeder (Mark Davis, a junior at Gonzaga University), who rarely looks up from his piano long enough to notice her. Sally (Lenora Page, a junior at Seattle Pacific University) sings her ever-changing philosophies of life in “My New Philosophy.” Pig Pen (Colin Quebedeaux, a fifth grader at St. Michael School), Peppermint Patty (Patsy Kenny, a longtime chorus member of TYT shows) and Marcie (Anne Reddick, an eighth grader at Tenino Middle School) rounds out the group of friends, while Charlie Brown’s dog Snoopy (Justin Hazlett, an incoming freshman at W.F. West High School in Chehalis) steals the spotlight in his production number, “Suppertime.”
The entire ensemble of Peanuts characters will sing and dance along in “The Baseball Game,” “Glee Club Rehearsal,” and the title number, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
Tickets are $13 for students and seniors, and $15 for general admission.
July 27 is a “pay what you can night,” with donations going to the Tenino Boys and Girls Club.
The show will run from July 21 to July 30.
The musical will be shown at 7 p.m. on July 21, July 22, July 27, July 28 and July 29. It will also take place at 2 p.m. on July 23, July 24 and July 30.
Performances will be held in the Tenino High School commons at 500 W. Second Ave. in Tenino. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.teninoyoungathearttheatre.org.
Vaccination cards or a negative COVID-19 test will be required. Masks also must be worn at all times unless a person is actively eating or drinking.
