While “The Peanuts Movie” is playing in movie theatres across the country, the Brandywine Theater Department is providing the community a chance to see their favorite “Peanuts” characters in a smaller, more intimate venue.

Starting today, Brandywine will put on four performances of the beloved musical, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” on the Brandywine Elementary School stage, which is located at 2428 S. 13th St., in Niles.

Performances are at 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday with an additional matinee show at 2 p.m. Saturday. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $4 for students and senior citizens.

“This is a great show for families,” said Director August Garritano. “This is a great opportunity to get younger kids exposed to the world of theater.”

Brandywine has offered a fall musical for 21 years in a row and this is the first time the school has performed, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

The musical comedy, which was first shown in 1967, is based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in the comic strip “Peanuts.”

It is considered a popular choice for amateur productions because of its small cast — six roles — and simple staging.

Garritano said they added more roles in order to give many students an opportunity to be part of the musical.

Some characters will be played by multiple students, including the roles of Snoopy, Lucy and Linus.

Garritano said fifth-grader Hayden Seggerman is the first elementary school student to have a lead role in a Brandywine fall musical. He is playing Linus along with Ava Doctor.

“I would have been ecstatic at his age and — frankly — probably would have been too scared at the same time to even do the part,” Garritano said. “But I give Hayden major props for applying himself and allowing himself to be stretched and molded.

Garritano also said he is proud of the entire cast and production team for working hard to make this show a reality.

Show time is less than two hours.

Cast and Crew List:

Charlie Brown — Brianna Gleason

Lucy Van Pelt — Emillee Seggerman, Tagan Yakum*

Linus Van Pelt — Hayden Seggerman, Ava Doctor*

Sally Brown — Alyssa Vanlue

Schroeder — Cayla Phillips

Snoopy — Kelli Scoggin, Izzy Shackelford*

Woodstock — Sarah Hicks

*denotes Friday night and Saturday matinee (2 p.m.) cast

 

Neighborhood kids:

Billy Gibson

Malia Deno

Abbie Hubbard

Julianna Zimmerman

Mikalah Songer

Rebecca Collins

Lukas Rollinger

Allison Gouin

Caitlin Stanner

Samantha Anders

 

Director — August Garritano

Production Manager — Emilee Seggerman*

Musical Director/Accompanist — Heidi Ferris

Musical Direction/Vocal Coach — Denise Boger

Stage Manager/Choreographer — Coreana Frampton

Additional Stage Direction and Acting Coaching — Josh Blair-Boger and Toni Mayberry