By Becky Evans
My daughters and I were thoroughly entertained by CenterPoint’s production of Charlie Brown in Centerville. Charlie Brown is a series of small vignettes, similar to a comic strip where Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and friends take turns talking and singing about life as they see it. I was initially surprised when the cast appeared because there was an assortment of ages and sizes that I had not seen in this production before but I quickly fell in love with each and every character. I found that their unique qualities bring to life the Peanuts characters in a fun and interesting way. CenterPoint’s Charlie Brown offers nostalgia to those who grew up with the characters and also introduces the Peanuts gang to a new generation through timeless sketches that ring as true today as when I was growing up.
Jake Heywood as Charlie Brown is positively charming. He has a sweet vulnerability that instantly bonds him with the audience. Lucy (Kimberly Bishop) is so fun. She has a way of saying extremely mean things to Charlie Brown and telling her little brother preposterous tales about how snow comes up out of the ground like grass but yet she’s so likeable. I can see a little of myself in Lucy.
Linus (Kurt Christensen) is an amazing dancer in his number “My Blanket and Me,” he steals the show and his blanket takes on a magical life of its own. I’m not quite sure how they performed this theatre magic. Schroeder (Jeffrey Black) looks the part and his musicality shines through even on group numbers by keeping the group expertly on key as only a musical prodigy can.
Sometimes in musical theatre, when a great theatre icon like Kristen Chenoweth originates a role, future actors can’t help imitate the inflections/ style of the character. Emily Woods makes the role her own and brings a sweet sparkle to the role of Sally. Sally has some great one-liners and she and Snoopy have great physical humor during “Chasing Rabbits.” Snoopy (Dale Boam) brings layers of depth to the famous dog that everybody knows and loves. When he sings “Suppertime,” he brings down the house. During intermission I heard several audience members comment on how much they liked Snoopy and how he reminded them of their dog at home.
The choreography is outstanding. Charlie Brown doesn’t need that much choreography but Kristi Curtis (who also produced very fun costumes) goes above and beyond and has the cast dancing and jiving all in-sync and in-character. The well-rehearsed harmonies are a credit to music director Matthew Hewitt. Lighting (as designed by Jordan Fowler) Is fun and especially some special effects that are added to increase the onstage magic. Sound quality (Derek Walden) Is good throughout and I found myself wondering if they were mic’ed or not because every character Is easy to hear and understand, except possibly during the first act finale where the background music got a little overpowering. I like how the scenes keep moving. There is virtually no down time, which owes credit to stage manager Todd Perkins. I was pleasantly surprised to find the seating at the black box theatre is now reserved. It is still quite scrunched in the middle back rows and my young daughters found it difficult to see over the adults in front of them-so when you buy tickets, I recommend the front row or aisles for the best seating experience.
This is a fun show for the whole family. Even though Charlie Brown may never have the baseball skills, Director Josh Richardson and assistant director Kyle Esposito hit a home run with CenterPoint’s cast and production of Charlie Brown. Richardson reminds us through Charlie Brown that the “true joys in life are often the simplest and happiness truly is anyone and anything at all that’s loved by you.”
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre presents You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner, based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his comic strip Peanuts
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Centerpoint Legacy Theatre 525 N 400 W, Centerville, UT 84014
June 8-30, 7:30 PM; Matinee on Saturdays 2:30 PM
Tickets: $17.50-$25.50
Box Office: 801-298-1302
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre Facebook Page
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