The curtain opens this week at Matz Hall, inviting audiences to join Charlie Brown and friends in their pursuit of happiness.
The Children’s Theatre of Winnetka will perform “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” the Broadway musical, Nov. 18-21, marking their first live production since the pandemic began.
Aaron Umsted, the theater’s director/artistic director, says although the group has continued acting workshops and online performances, after almost two years this will be their first in-person production.
“Charlie Brown was the right choice for us, it resonates so well at this point in time because it’s about finding the joy in simple things,” Umsted said.
“A character like Charlie Brown is all about perseverance, he’s willing to go through obstacles day to day, and then get up the next day and try it again,” Umsted added.
Rehearsals, which began in early September, have been hard work but fun, Umsted said. The kids were hungry to get back to performing, especially after the isolation and loneliness brought about by quarantine.
The Children’s Theatre of Winnetka is self-described as a not-for-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to promoting theatrical experiences, both onstage and backstage, for New Trier Township children in fourth through eighth grades.
“You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” will be performed by two casts, the Snoopy and Woodstock casts, each with 15 members. Actors from each cast will be rotated in for designated performances.
Thomas Franklin is a 12-year-old Kenilworth actor who plays Charlie Brown in the Woodstock cast.
Thomas says he relates to Charlie Brown, who is a very kind person, who has a lot of trouble.
“When it comes to being happy I believe that small things can make your day better,” Thomas said.
Jacqueline Willer, 14, of Winnetka, cast in the role of Lucy, says her grandma originally introduced her to the Peanuts comic strip.
“There’s a lot to learn from the production, beyond the cartoon, the characters are actually sophisticated, they act like grown-ups and their wisdom is really beyond their age,” Jacqueline said.
Umsted says last year when they first planned to do Charlie Brown they didn’t know what the world would look like in November 2021, but they knew they’d need a production that would be easily adaptable.
“Who could have predicted that inspiration from the legendary Charles M. Schulz comic strip may be what we needed most, or as Charlie Brown says, after every storm, there’s a rainbow,” Umsted said.
For tickets and information for performances for You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at the Winnetka Community House go to mycommunityhouse.org/programs/performing-arts/childrens-theatre-winnetka.
