By Amanda Oliver
You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown is being performed at The Covey Center for the Arts is located in downtown Provo. This lovely facility has a varied population in regards to age, theatrical taste and income. This show was an obvious but brilliantly executed choice for the Provo community as it relates to all ages. For $12 a ticket, this was a delightful and affordable way to spend a Friday evening. I much preferred this unique performance to a movie due to the more intimate venue, charming cast, and spontaneous audience interaction.
You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown is a classic musical originally written in 1967 by Clark Gesner and is based on Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip, Peanuts. Minnesota native and World War II veteran Charles (known as Sparky) entertained America for 50 years with his relatable characters and subtle humor. As one who has a rich Minnesotan heritage, I want to praise this company for honoring his work through a great performance.
This production followed the 1999 revival, which included additional dialogue and direction by Michael Mayer and additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. The structure does not have a conventional plot, but rather a collection of scenes that embody the spirit of Peanuts. We see conversations between Lucy and Schroeder on the piano, a baseball game with the whole gang, Charlie Brown’s frequent fascinations with the “little red-headed girl”, and classic scenes with Snoopy with his fascination with The Red Baron. It is a popular production that has been performed both on and off-Broadway and has reached international venues in places like Korea as well.
The Black Box Theater, in which this production was shown, is a small theater-in-the-round. The space was compact but efficient and allowed for opportunities to involve the audience. Despite the small space, the temperature was comfortable and the staff was very cheery and helpful to audience members. While waiting in their seats, the audience was eager to begin. There was an ambient excitement in the theater.
Directed and choreographed by Skye Cummins, this production started with a lot of energy and carried high energy the whole way through. Each of the individual actors was strong and really made the show incredible, each contributing to the overall success. Despite the loud percussion concert that was simultaneously occurring downstairs, the cast never faltered or allowed it to throw them off-track. This allowed the audience to forget everything else, including the ever-present throbbing bass from below.
As a whole, the show was well casted. Each actor was easily recognizable as their portrayed character in regards to physical appearance, demeanor and costume. Choreography was clean and utilized the space well. The sound and tech were well controlled. There were only a few instances in which the music overpowered an individual actor onstage, and it was always quickly corrected. The costumes, set and lighting were simple, but effective, complimenting the actors well. This simplicity allowed the audience to relate to the characters on a realistic level, which made the show universally approachable.
Ben Cummins, who was also the music director for the show, played Charlie Brown. Considering his dual responsibilities, both his character and musical work are to be commended. The musical numbers were very solid; lyrics within the songs were always discernable and the singing never became lost in the musical accompaniment. The only musical rough patch occurred in the middle of the song “Beethoven Day,” but to the cast’s credit the song finished well. The standout group song was “The Book Report” with great harmonies, counterpoint and consistent high energy. Ben’s portrayal of Charlie Brown was that of a nice, but slightly awkward boy who can never seem to catch a break despite his best efforts. I loved how naturally Ben took to his character, but it seemed that when he was onstage without lines he was not as comfortable. I would have liked to see him stay consistent in character, even in silence. Again, considering the fact that Ben both directed and acted in the starring role, I feel that he did an outstanding job.
The standout acting performance was Summerisa Bell Stevens as Sally. All the way from her physical appearance as a petite blonde to her obvious talent in acting and dancing made her a hard act to follow. Summerisa is a dynamic actress who effortlessly utilized many levels within her character, which made me believe everything that she said and did onstage. My husband, who accompanied me to the performance, loved the life she brought onstage in her acting. My personal favorite moments in the show came from her in Sally’s song, “My New Philosophy” and her interaction with some invited audience members during the Glee Club rehearsal scene.
Jordan Kramer as Snoopy was also a favorite. The integrity of his character was always 100%, even when exiting off stage and sneaking a small glance at an audience member to make a point. His interaction with the other actors was wildly entertaining; such as his hysterical miming skills during Lucy’s survey scene. His energetic and creative movement coupled with the unique timbre of his voice truly embodied a great portrayal of Snoopy and reminded everyone in the audience why Snoopy is such an icon.
Bailee Brinkerhoff as Lucy, Christopher Gallacher as Schroeder and Spencer Stevens as Linus complete the lineup for the cast of this show. Because of her vibrant personality, Bailee was a perfect cast for Lucy and was a compelling stage presence who commands the attention of her audience. I loved her thought process in “Little Known Facts,” it was on target for portraying a child who makes up information as they go along. Christopher’s body language was brilliant as an intense child musician, trapped inside his own head and oblivious to reality at times. His monologues were strong, but occasionally his lines with other actors seemed too anticipated and would fall flat. Spencer as Linus was a very precise dancer, which served him well in “My Blanket and Me.” His character was shy and quiet, but that does not mean that he did not have feelings. I would have liked to see him react to some of the other characters’ lines a little more than he did.
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Overall, the production was impressive. Actors stayed in character during scene/set changes, which is very necessary in such a small space. Interaction with the audience was endearing, fun and made the performance more memorable. My favorite interactions included the cast giving out valentines as well as choosing extra choir members for the glee club scene. The comedic timing throughout the show was spot on. The cast’s energy kept the audience enraptured throughout the duration of the show. I fell in love with every single character and found the production colorful, lively and charming. It is definitely a must-see.
The Covey Center for the Arts is presenting You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown By Clark Gesner, Based on the comic by Charles M. Schulz.
Covey Center for the Arts 425 W Center Street, Provo UT 84601
February 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28 and March 1, 2 at 7:30 pm and matinee on March 2 at 2:00 pm.
Call 801-852-7007 or reserve tickets online at www.coveycenteronline.org
A special benefit concert of, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Just hours after getting engaged, Bailee Brinkerhoff (who plays Lucy in our production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”) and Taylor Morris survived a tragic car accident, which took the life of Taylor’s sister and left him with a broken back and the couple with a mountain of debt. With marriage just a few months away, the soon-to-be newlyweds need your support! Let’s help give them a better beginning!
Don’t miss this special benefit production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” — Monday, March 4th only! Please go to the website for more information.
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