The cast for Missoula Community Theatre's production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
Missoula Community Theatre continues its 2021-2022 à la carte season with “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” Dec. 9-19 at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts.
Just in time for the holidays, this timeless story of a boy and his dog is set to charming and lively music. The family-friendly show “comforts your nostalgic inner child while welcoming the newer generations with open arms,” according to DC Metro Theatre Arts.
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is such an iconic story that it almost needs no introduction. Based on Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” cartoon, the musical brings all the familiar and beloved characters to life on stage. Songs such as Snoopy’s enthusiastic “Suppertime,” a full-cast rendition of Schroeder’s favorite composer’s birthday “Beethoven Day” and Linus’s ode to his beloved possession, “My Blanket and Me,” are among the many numbers sure to wrap the audience in a warm, musical blanket, under the guidance of Arielle Nachtigal, the show’s music director.
“Charlie Brown is synonymous with the holidays, so it only seems right that we celebrate this holiday season with something for the entire family,” says Joseph Martinez, the show’s director. “Even though we think of these characters as children, Charlie Brown has taught us all some valuable lessons, such as perseverance, determination and the importance of hope.”
This full-length production features six adult actors in the roles brought to life by Clark Gesner, who wrote the book, music and lyrics for the original 1967 version. The subsequent revival won several Tony Awards and nominations, a Grammy nomination and other honors while also winning the hearts of children and adults of all ages.
“None of the cast is actually six years old,” noted Gesner, who added that none of them really look like “Peanuts” cartoon characters. “But this doesn’t seem to make that much difference once we are into the play, because what they are saying to each other is with the openness of that early childhood time, and the obvious fact is that they are all really quite fond of each other.”
MCT’s production features Draylen Askvig as Charlie Brown, Clayton Dutton as Linus, Jake Nachtigal as Schroeder, Eric Stahl as Snoopy, Rachel Shull as Lucy and Lily Johnson as Sally.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 9-19, with a special Premiere Night Dec. 9 that includes a catered reception (contact Beth Frazee at [email protected]).
Tickets range from $20-30 and are available now at www.MCTinc.org, by phone 406-728-7529 or at the Box Office, 200 N. Adams St., open noon-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.
For the safety of patrons, volunteers and staff, MCT requires that masks be worn during visits to MCT by everyone over the age of 2.