Good grief, Charlie Brown!

Did you miss the classic Charlie Brown cartoon coming to life?

The+cast+of+Youre+a+Good+Man%2C+Charlie+Brown+performs+the+song+Happiness+the+last+day+of+the+show.+The+cast+has+been+practicing+for+this+musical+since+December.

Photo: Cary Robbins

The cast of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” performs the song “Happiness” the last day of the show. The cast has been practicing for this musical since December.

“You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” opened on Thursday night, Feb. 8, and the last show was Sunday, Feb. 11. This musical brought the kid’s cartoon Charlie Brown and his friends to life at St. George’s Germantown Campus. There was a big audience at this musical because Charlie Brown attracted people of all ages to come and support the arts department. Director of Theatre Arts Mrs. Karen Dean describes why she chose to do this musical for the upper school winter musical.

“It’s directed towards kids because of the characters and some of the things they say goes over their heads, but the adults get it, so it’s pretty fun,” Mrs. Dean said. “Not that it’s tacky, it’s just time sensitive. The adults knew this cartoon when they were kids, and kids don’t know it quite as much now. It’s just cute because it’s a cartoon.”

Although the audience will remember the actual performance of the musical, the actors will remember the process of the musical and making connections with each other along the way.

Sophomore Thandie Boudreaux, who played Sally Brown, believes she became good friends with her cast mates.

“It was really nice. We’re all really close now because of the play,” Boudreaux said. “It’s super cool.”

Sophomore Sierra Sellers worked for the lights crew for the musical. Although she came only three weeks before the musical opened, she was able to also make bonds with the people in the cast, who she said were funny.

“It’s not really the play that’s the best part. It’s after the play, when you get to rush backstage. It’s great because we all start cheering and it’s amazing,” Sellers said. “Everyone is really relieved because nobody messed up or maybe we did, but it’s over. Then, we usually go out to dinner, and it’s so much fun because they’re so funny.”

One of Mrs. Dean favorite parts of working with the actors in the musical was their energy and determination to put on the best show for her.

“They just have energy for days. I love it because they always come out, and they’re always excited,” Mrs. Dean said. “Even when they’re all exhausted, once they get on that stage, there is just all that energy. They’re a cohesive group. They’re all friends. They’ve all become that way even if they didn’t start that way and they support each other and that’s what makes a play fun.”

Riding on the the wave of success of the musical, auditions for the comedic play “Rumors” will be held Feb. 13 and 15 from 2:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. It will have a 10 person cast and open April 12, 13 and 14. 

If you need a reason to audition for the play, Boudreaux sums up why she enjoys being a part of the arts department at St. George’s.

“I like the way that you can be yourself,” Boudreaux said, “while still being a character and performing in front of other people.”

 

Correction: The spring play is now “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.”