You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
at Newport Harbor High School

Reviewed on April 30, 2015

Audrey Mitchell
University High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Newport Harbor Presents a Heartwarming and Hopeful "Charlie Brown"

Sally is suffering an existential crisis. Lucy seeks the affections of a musician with his head in the clouds. Linus tries to break his blanket-dependency habit. Schroeder just wants some peace and quiet. Through it all remains Charlie Brown, on a quest to find how to become a truly good person.

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" is entirely unprecedented. Delving into the minds of everyone's favorite five-year-olds, the characters make precocious comments about everything from existentialism to psychiatry. Newport Harbor High School's production of this timeless musical captures the childhood memories of lazy Saturday mornings in front of the television. Talented actors and orchestra unite to create a production that is beautiful in its simplicity.

Wide-eyed and energetic, Sabrina Von Bogenberg brings out Sally Brown's adorable naivete and permanent state of bemusement with a nasal, high-pitched voice that befits her five-year-old character. Whether skipping around the stage with her jump rope or frantically chasing rabbits with Snoopy, Von Bogenberg creates a perfect picture of youthful energy.

The actors make the contrast between their characters clear in ‘Book Report,' as Charlie, Linus, Lucy, and Schroeder begin book reports on 'Peter Rabbit'. Each takes a different approach specific to their character. Schroeder (Austin Christensen) leaps up on his chair and pantomimes zinging an arrow across stage as he compares the book to 'Robin Hood'. Linus (Claire McCarthy) gives a convoluted psychoanalysis on Peter Rabbit. And Race Chambers as Charlie Brown spends the whole song worrying about whether he should write the report today or tomorrow. Nervously clasping his hands and pencil, Chambers creates a self-conscious character that is more honestly human than many protagonists.

The NHHS orchestra brings beautiful music to the production. Presenting a range from operatic strings to spy music to bluesy tunes, the orchestra unobtrusively frames energetic musical numbers.

Lighting, designed by McKenzie Stephens, shows great versatility from scene to scene. In the number ‘The Red Baron,' the stage is lit with red, punctuated by flashes of white accompanied by sounds of gunfire. In more hectic songs, multicolored lights shine around the stage.

Newport Harbor's stunning production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" is uplifting and poignant as, after a long day, the characters realize that happiness comes from the little things.

Catalina Fernandez
University High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Newport Harbor's 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' Brings out the Child in All of Us

With bright technical aspects and energetic acting, Newport Harbor High School's production of 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' transfers the adventures of the lovable comic strip characters onto the stage.

The actor's distinct make-up (Audrey Stroth, Kyla Wyld) distinguishes the classic characters and highlights their personalities, exemplifying Charlie Brown's (Race Chambers) conflicted state of mind with dark eye circles and Sally's (Sabrina Von Bogenberg) ditsy persona with thick, black lashes and bright, coral lips.

As Charlie Brown, Race Chambers portrays the mishaps and wishy-washy traits of the character with slouched physicality, shrugging his shoulders and lowering his head when conflicted about his inability to earn the love of the red-haired girl.

Charlie's underdog portrayal is emphasized with the juxtaposition of Lucy Van Pelt (Rebecca Bailey), a drama queen with strong and loud vocalization, rhythmic speech, and condescending characterization. As Charlie would scoot back with a shrunken posture, she would command power with upright posture and a smirk.

The comedic Snoopy (Vita Muccia) adds excitement to the show. Using dynamic vocalization, Snoopy's singing voice shifts from a straight-forward tone, a grunting growl, and an operatic belt to depict the wide range of moods. In "The Red Baron", Muccia presents full-body commitment in responding to the gun-shot sound effects by shaking her head and bobbing up and down.

Sally Brown (Sabrina Von Bogenberg) is the epitome of childish innocence and naivety with her wide-eyed, ditsy persona. In "My New Philosophy", she exhibits grounded and motivated physicality and maintains her nasally character voice.

Linus Van Pelt (Claire McCarthy) and Schroeder (Austin Christensen) distinguish themselves as the more mature, intelligent characters of the group while still presenting a childish nature with fast-paced vocalization and grounded physicality.

Overall, the acting and technical components of the production successfully evoke the magic of the colorful characters and their adventures, reminding us that 'Happiness' comes from the joy of simplicity and love.

Christa Pehrson
University High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Pure Happiness at Newport's 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown'

Blue light shines onto the cyclorama. The iconic oversized red dog house with crooked black stripes stands center stage left and a school bus upstage center. Children begin to enter the stage carrying their solid color acting blocks singing "You're a Good man, Charlie Brown." Charlie Brown takes audience members on his typical day journey; boring lunch hours, bland peanut butter sandwiches, his annoying little sister Sally, and of course, Snoopy. When Charlie cannot figure out what brings him joy, he slowly realizes one thing does not make him happy; it's all the little things in life.

Jumping and skipping all around, Sally (Sabrina Von Bogenberg) shows her young and playful character through her vocals. In the musical number "My New Philosophy," Von Bogenberg sings with a forward nasal tone while rounding out vowels, creating a young sound. Von Bogenberg, though sounding young, successfully sings through all the phrases, proving her advanced vocal abilities.

Snoopy (Vita Muccia) runs circles around herself just like a dog, lying down on her stomach with her legs and arms hidden and standing on her hind legs with her hands shaped in little paws at her chest. Muccia uses the oversized dog house as her playground for the musical number "Suppertime." She stands atop the house and shakes her paws wildly, using her entire body. Muccia's physicality creates a dynamic dog whose loopy inner thoughts are released through silly movement.

The makeup crew (Audrey Stroth, Kyla Wyld) gives Charlie (Race Chambers) dark circles around his eyes and neutral face makeup, adding a layer of loneliness and sadness to the character.

Lighting Designer McKenzie Stephens uses her design to add to the musical number "Beethoven Day" with shades of pastel purples, blues, greens, and pinks on the cyclorama. The lighting provides more energy to the upbeat number but does not overpower the cast.

Full of whimsical moments that bring back childhood memories, Newport Harbor's successful production reminds the audience that it is the little things in life that make people truly happy and content.