Download KS-CharlieBrown_4-08

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 25, 2008
Media Contact: Michelle Sanders, Public Relations Manager
(425) 392-1942 x124
[email protected]
www.villagetheatre.org
CHARLES SHULTZ’S PEANUTS CHARACTERS COME TO LIFE
IN THE EVERETT KIDSTAGE ENSEMBLE PRODUCTION OF
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN
What:
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
Based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schultz
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Clark Gesner
Additional Dialogue by Michael Mayer
Additional Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Directed by Kati Nickerson
Assistant Directed and Choreographed by Jessica Low
Musical Direction by Karissa Bryant
Where:
Everett Performing Arts Center
2710 Wetmore Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
When:
April 10-20, 2008
April 10-12 at 7:30 PM
April 17- 19 at 7:30 PM
April 20 at 2:00 PM
Tickets:
$9-$11 – ON SALE NOW
Box Office: (425) 257-8600 or
www.villagetheatre.org
Everett, Wash. — Village Theatre KIDSTAGE Ensemble produces You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,
running April 10-20, 2008 at the Everett Performing Arts Center. Based on the classic Charles M.
Schultz’s Peanuts comic strip, this award-winning musical is told through a series of songs and vignettes
that mimic the four-panel format used by the original cartoon strip. The KIDSTAGE production is the
1999 revival of the musical which received two Tony Awards. The revival version of the show has been
updated and re-orchestrated since the original production; it has challenging four part harmonies and
contemporary pop rhythms. Director Kati Nickerson comments, “It’s a fun score! The revival is very
upbeat and has two new numbers. One of them, ‘Beethoven Day’ is a large, full-ensemble piece with a
gospel feel. It will be a show-stopper!” In addition, Sally, Charlie Brown’s little sister, is a fun new
character with her own new popular song, “My New Philosophy.”
The show is written for only six actors, so the director developed a creative concept, without changing
any part of the script, which involves 51 young performers. The six principal roles of Charlie Brown,
Lucy, Schroeder, Linus, Snoopy and Sally, are each played by three actors, who are each playing a
version of the individual characters. The lines and scenes are broken up so the performers play the same
role for every show; the production is not triple cast. Utilizing the comic strip concept, the set
incorporates three 8x8-foot frames, allowing all three actors playing each principal character to create a
live comic strip. Another example of this concept is a scene where one of the actors playing Charlie
Brown acts out a song, while another Charlie Brown sings the number.
Charles Shultz developed a large number of different Peanuts characters over the course of his lengthy
career. Our ensemble was asked to research those characters and choose one that they would like to
portray in the show. Their presence within the ensemble scenes is invaluable as it adds to the strength of
each large musical number. There is also a Beagle Scout Ensemble comprised of second and third graders
from surrounding areas. Ten of the youngest players follow Woodstock and play the roles of the little
birds, often represented as Snoopy’s Scouts. Kati Nickerson adds, “We are looking at this production
through different eyes. We want to see as many characters come to life as possible, without altering any
part of the script.”
What makes this show even more unique and special is its incorporation of Village Theatre’s Teen Access
to Professionals program (TAP). This particular KIDSTAGE production boasts three student directors,
two student choreographers, a student music director, and a student assistant stage manager. Each of these
students is involved in learning the skills the position requires alongside trained professionals. With
rehearsals underway and these young actors knee deep in Charlie Brown, Nickerson gushes, “Oh my
gosh, what an amazing amount of talent and enthusiasm we have here!”
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown features 51 fourth to ninth grade students with a selection of
second and third grade students in a full-scale musical, which includes professionally-designed
sets, costumes, lights, and sound. Actors are selected through a highly competitive audition
process, and the show is directed, choreographed, and musically directed by skilled theatre
professionals.
For more information, please contact Michelle Sanders at (425) 392-1942 x124 or at
[email protected]. Photos are available on our website, www.villagetheatre.org.
About Village Theatre KIDSTAGE:
Designed to encourage teamwork, personal integrity, self-esteem, and a life-long appreciation for live theatre,
KIDSTAGE is a year-round performing arts training program in Issaquah, Everett, and Stanwood for young people ages 3-20.
KIDSTAGE students participate in classes, workshops and full-scale KIDSTAGE productions. All performances are by
KIDSTAGE students and classes are taught by professional theatrical instructors.
About Village Theatre
Village Theatre is a leading producer of musical theatre in the Pacific Northwest. What began in 1979 with the vision of a small
group of dedicated theatre artists has grown into one of the region's best-attended resident theatres, with over 18,000 subscribers
to the current season and 165,000 projected total attendance, performances on seven stages in the Puget Sound area, youth
education programs serving over 53,000 young people, families, and schools annually, and a nationally recognized program that
has enabled the development of over 75 new musicals. Serving an expanding and diverse community, Village Theatre has
experienced phenomenal growth in recent years with the start of our contract as the resident performing and management
company at the Everett Performing Arts Center in 1998.
Mission of Village Theatre:

To be a regionally recognized and nationally influential center of excellence in family theatre

To promote a season of top quality productions

To commission and produce new musicals that achieve national exposure

To train young people in theatre skills for career opportunities and enriched lives

To develop a broad based appreciation for live theatre

To promote positive values through art
KIDSTAGE is made possible, in part, by Arts United, Bellevue Arts Commission, Citigroup Private Bank, City of Everett, City of
Issaquah, Clear Image, Costco, Everett Clinic, Everett Cultural Commission, Fluke, Kobe Foundation, Snohomish County
Tourism, Tulalip Tribes, US Bancorp, and Washington State Arts Commission.
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