Karen Brotherton has directed and acted in numerous shows on area stages, but she’s usually working with a cast of adults. An upcoming production of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” offers her a different opportunity.
“This is my first year with the students, and we really wanted to work on shows where we could just have fun together with the story and characters,” said Brotherton, who is directing Westminster Schools of Augusta middle and high school students in the production that will be staged at 7 p.m. March 21 and 3 and 7 p.m. March 22 at The Kroc Center of Augusta. “They have grown so much as storytellers, and I am really excited to see what we can tackle next year.”
Tickets are $10-$20 and are available here.
Featuring Charles Schulz’s beloved Peanuts’ character, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” the show offers a sense of nostalgia as students bring to life the comic strips and animated cartoons that many grew up with and fondly remember.
“I love working with these students. They have been working so hard, and the show has been growing and developing at each rehearsal,” she said.
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” first opened in New York City on March 7, 1967 and played for 1,597 performances at the Theatre 80 St. Marks, with Gary Burghoff in the title role, according to Concord Theatricals which licenses the play.
It was revived on Broadway in 1971 and played for 32 performances at the John Golden Theatre. A new version was presented on Broadway in 1999 and played for 149 performances at the Ambassador Theatre, with Tony Award-winning performances by Roger Bart as Snoopy and Kristin Chenoweth as Sally.
The play is a revue of songs and vignettes with musical numbers such as “My Blanket and Me,” “The Kite,” “The Baseball Game,” “Little Known Facts,” “Suppertime” and “Happiness.”
“I have always enjoyed working with students to bring stories to life. Watching young actors discover these amazing talents that God has blessed them with and find a love for theatre is amazing. I love that I get to be the one cheering them on,” she said.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
