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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. ###