Review submitted by Caroline Wilking of Notre Dame Preparatory.
Charles Schultz’s beloved Peanuts characters were brought to life in a bright and amusing new way in Glen Burnie High School’s production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”.
Clark Gesner’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is a comedic musical that premiered off-Broadway in 1967 and came to Broadway in 1971. It combines classic scenes from Charles Schultz’s comics and both familiar and new music to create a unique live experience.
Glen Burnie High School’s production was grounded in impressive technical elements and an energetic cast. The attention to each detail in this show and the cast’s ability to fully become their characters made this show immersive and memorable.
Colbey Parks, who played Charlie Brown, performed with emotion and mannerisms that gave his character believability and clear personality. Erin Shields, who played Lucy Van Pelt, delighted the audience and created a standout role. She induced laughter frequently with her spunky and headstrong nature. Parks and Shields worked together effectively, especially in their song “The Doctor is In”.
Supporting Parks and Shields was a talented group of actors. Fred Fairson, who played Snoopy, gave his character a fantastically humorous voice and was noticeably charming in both his solo moments and scenes featuring other characters. Sarah Petraska, who played Woodstock, danced beautifully throughout the show and was able to express herself without any words. Messiah Brown, who played Schroeder, sang spectacularly and thoroughly entertained the audience, specifically in the remarkable number “Beethoven Day”.
This production could not have been as good as it was without the amazing technical design. The multi-leveled set was particularly great and the details in the costumes and props gave the show a unique touch. The world seemed to expand in moments, such as that in “The Kite”, where props and set pieces flew out from the stage and over the audience. The entire show flowed seamlessly due to the work of Glen Burnie’s stage crew and designers.
Glen Burnie High School’s production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” revived Charles Schultz’s cherished stories impactfully and memorably.
The performance reviewed was from Friday, 12/06/2019.
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