You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!
at Miami Valley Christian Academy
Reviewed on November 8, 2019
Lucy Lawler
Saint Ursula Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 1
Good Grief! Miami Valley Christian Academy delivered a charming and cheerful performance of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
Premiering in 1967, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" serves as a beloved tribute to the classic comics of Charles M. Schulz. The tale focuses on Charlie and his inability to understand why his friends label him as a "good man." As the show progresses, the characters face a plethora of problems: Lucy questions her personality, Schroeder struggles to convey the majesty of music, Sally tries to find a new philosophy, and Snoopy can't seem to catch the elusive Red Baron. But with humor and heart, the gang comes to a compelling conclusion: happiness is right around the corner.
Miami Valley Christian Academy's production was driven by both care and commitment. The talented cast and crew exhibited a constant sense of energy and worked efficiently to overcome minor obstacles.
As implied by the title, no rendition of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" would be complete without the lovable 'loser' himself. Leading the cast was Max Hunkler who succeeded in capturing Charlie's determination and diffidence. Hunkler's performance was wonderfully sincere and accentuated the character's gentle heart. The actor also exuded authenticity, especially when he tackled Charlie's vast anxiety in songs such as "The Baseball Game." Assisting Charlie Brown on his journey to happiness was Jillian Beasley in the role of Lucy . Fully embracing her character's crabbiness, Beasley was a force onstage. Whether she was hurling insults or cracking jokes, the actress was always formidable and fierce.
The supporting cast worked seamlessly to create and maintain the musical's vivacious atmosphere. Gunnar Shoemake , who portrayed Linus , put a comedic spin on the classic character. Shoemake's humorous antics were unmistakable during "My Blanket and Me," a song in which Linus serenades his comforting coverlet. Poised and passionate, the actor sung with a love comparable to that of Romeo and Juliet. Sarah Schott delighted as the savvy Snoopy , especially when it came to jazzy musical numbers such as "Suppertime." As a whole, the entire Peanuts Gang brought something unique and interesting to the stage.
Of course, creating the colorful and bright world of Charlie Brown was no easy feat. The interactive set, conceived by MVCA's Behind the Scenes Class , mimicked the panels of a comic strip. Complete with a functioning slide and a spiffy set of ladders, the scenic design allowed for a childish sense of wonder. The cartoon characters' faces were even etched onto the scrim, which served as a captivating connection to the original source material. The lighting, executed by Nathan Bush and Max Mitchell , utilized over 200 individual cues throughout the production. Strong colors emphasized each character's fluctuating moods, and the selective use of silhouette added depth to the narrative.
Full of life and laughter, "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" offered a new perspective on what it means to be moral. In fact, Miami Valley's production wasn't just good: it was excellent.
Anna Nappi
Saint Ursula Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 10
They're always in the newspaper, they're a TV staple during the holiday season, and they've even graced the Broadway stage. The iconic Peanuts Gang is virtually inescapable. Miami Valley Christian Academy's performance of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" gave these memorable characters yet another opportunity to entertain the public.
"You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" was written in 1967 by Clark Gesner and inspired by Charles M. Schultz's memorable comic strip characters. The musical is broken up into a series of vignettes meant to mirror the choppiness of a collection of comic strips. The plot loosely follows Charlie Brown's journey to discovering what makes him a "good man." Smaller subplots are introduced throughout, such as Linus's love for his blanket, Sally's new philosophy, Snoopy's passion for suppertime, and Lucy's undying love for Schroder.
Miami Valley Christian Academy's production of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" brilliantly captured the nostalgic essence of the memorable Peanuts Gang. Innovative technical elements simultaneously modernized the production and connected it back to its comic strip roots. Likewise, the actors managed an energetic and youthful performance that strengthened the integrity of important themes carried throughout the musical.
Max Hunkler's interpretation of Charlie Brown was so endearing that one could not help but sympathize with his character, especially as he explored Charlie Brown's struggles with his own self-worth. Jillian Beasely, who played Charlie Brown's temperamental bully Lucy, gave a similarly outstanding performance. She perfectly projected Lucy's intense, snobby demeanor while still retaining the childlike innocence essential to all the Peanuts Gang.
Lucy's lovable little brother Linus, played by Gunnar Shoemake, performed an inspiring and passionate anthem devoted to his one true love, the blue blanket. During "My Blanket and Me," Shoemake's melodramatics added a whole new level of ridiculousness to this already outrageous number. Satirical humor was utilized by Jackson Guin as he played Schroder, the Beethoven enthusiast. Guin's deapan attitude balanced out Linus's hysterics and established Schroder's status as the resident edgy musician.
The work of all the tech crews blended harmoniously to achieve the musical's cartoon-like effect. The set, comprised of a series of white boxes made to mirror a comic strip in a newspaper, was masterfully created through the efforts of Miami Valley Christian Academy's Behind the Scenes Class and Grant Patterson. The lighting crew, headed by Gabe Bennet, utilized different colors to represent each character, providing a visual cue to help easily identify which member of the Peanuts Gang was the focal point of that particular scene.
Yes, the Peanuts Gang is inescapable. But with a performance as spectacular as Miami Valley Christian Academy's, the idea of escape becomes obsolete and is replaced by a renewed love for these classic characters.
Elizabeth Volk
Saint Ursula Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 2
In today's digital world, reading a print newspaper is seen as a relic of the past. However, nestled inside of the black-and-white news stories is a colorful, entertaining section: the comics. They elicit joy and laughter from their readers and often connect them to their inner child. By admirably bringing the humorous world of comic strips to life, Miami Valley Christian Academy's production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" dove into the bright, innocent world of childhood.
Adapted from the popular comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, this musical presents all of the familiar characters on missions of self-discovery. Lucy wonders if she is actually a bully, while her younger brother Linus considers if he truly needs his security blanket. Meanwhile, Sally explores new philosophies, and Snoopy dreams of escaping his repetitive life. Connecting all of these vignettes is Charlie Brown who, despite his averageness, desperately tries to find the meaning of living a good life. Through his interactions with the Peanut's Gang that mirror iconic comic strips, he learns the meaning of happiness.
Anchoring Miami Valley Christian Academy's production was the cast's deeply detailed performances. From the emotional ballads to the show-stopping production numbers, each cast member created specific characters. Their acting was stellar, truly bringing the caricatures to life while rooting them in realism.
Leading the cast as Charlie Brown, Max Hunkler embodied the anxieties of being unexceptional. His expressive voice and dynamic facial expressions conveyed a multitude of emotions, from despondency over receiving no valentines to elation at successfully flying a kite. Commanding the stage as Lucy was Jillian Beasley. Her nuanced performance humanized the often-vilified girl, expressing Lucy's hopes of Schroeder reciprocating her love and her insecurities about being seen as a bully. Gunnar Shoemake's performance as Linus combined an adult's wisdom with a child's innocent worldview. In his musical ode to his blanket, he wonderfully articulated his ideal world where childish elements like security blankets were accepted.
Sarah Schott's lighthearted portrayal of Snoopy balanced out the deeper moments in the show. She dramatized the joys of "Suppertime" in an elaborate number that showcased her powerful voice and acting. Complimenting Schott's performance was Haley Page as Woodstock. While she never spoke a word, she developed relationships with the plot and the other characters through her pantomime skills and stage presence.
The wonderful technical elements also brought the comic to life. Grant Patterson and the Behind the Scenes class created six large panels that emulated a comic strip's format. The rest of the set also emulated the comic's look, with Snoopy's doghouse and the larger-than-life mailbox standing out for their bright colors and craftsmanship. The lights, by Nathan Bush and Max Mitchell, complimented the show's themes. They reflected Charlie Brown's loneliness by lighting him separately from the other characters.
Overall, Miami Valley Christian Academy's production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" commendably balanced the comic's hilarity and gravity. While newspapers are seen as an artifact today, this production brought new life to the comics enshrined within them by examining the world through a child's eyes.
Ella Terrell
Ursuline Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 3
Everyone in the audience wanted to celebrate "Beethoven Day" after Miami Valley Christian Academy's production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." More importantly, the cast and crew taught their audience an important lesson about being good.
The show, based on Charles M. Schulz's "Peanuts," premiered in New York in 1967. It starts with the characters praising Charlie Brown as a good man. Throughout the show, each of the Peanuts faces their own personal struggles, and Charlie Brown questions if he really is good. The show ends with Charlie Brown's profound realization that he, just like the Little Red-Haired Girl, is human and therefore, good.
All of the cast members in the show took advantage of every moment on the stage. Max Hunkler (Charlie Brown) had to sing and talk to the audience in several scenes when no other characters were on stage. Despite this challenging task, Hunkler made it feel as if he were having a conversation with his audience which brought a level of intimacy to his character. One of the female leads, Jillian Beasly (Lucy), was as arrogant and crabby as can be in the best way possible. Her performance made the audience remember what makes Lucy a loveable character despite her many flaws. Beasly's performance exceeded expectations and was as unforgettable as her character's iconic psychiatrist booth.
As for Lucy's little brother Linus, Gunner Shoemake brought an unmatched energy to the stage. Everyone could hear giggling children as Shoemake passionately danced with his blanket. Sarah Schott (Snoopy) demonstrated her astounding singing voice during "Suppertime." She also had many moments in the show where she made Snoopy's dramatic flair shine.
As for Gabe Bennet and the crew, every element used highlighted both the story and actors on stage. Even when problems arose, they would be fixed in a timely manner, and the audience would barely notice. The simple 'comic strip' set allowed for quick scene changes and gave the stage a clean and orderly appearance. The quick scene changes can also be accredited to organization backstage. The other set pieces used were easily moved, and many were painted to look like they came straight out of a Peanuts' comic. All of the Schulz fans in the audience could instantly recognize Lucy's psychiatric help stand, Schroder's piano, and Snoopy's doghouse.
The lighting designer, Nathan Bush, worked with the set to make everything all come together. Each of the six compartments in the "comic strip" had their own lights with full RGB capabilities. The colors would change to match the characters currently on the stage and add to the mood, like in "Snoopy" where the lights would flash each time the music would crescendo. Bush also filled the theater with lights at a few points in the play; during "Happiness", the lights made the audience connect with the characters.
Because of the outstanding cast and crew, Miami Valley Christian Academy put on an unforgettable performance of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" to match the unforgettable Peanuts gang.
Sydney Cardwell
Roger Bacon High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 4
It's Saturday morning, your dad is reading the paper, and he is laughing at a comic he found. He reaches over to show you an iconic Charles Schulz comic of good ol ' Charlie Brown. Now picture that iconic character and his friends singing to a very lighthearted soundtrack, and you get Miami Valley Christian Academy's production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
Charlie Brown is puzzled when his friends refer to him as a "good man". Seeking out the meaning of his given persona, Charlie Brown is faced with life's many challenges: baseball, kites, and love. The Peanuts Gang can be seen reenacting some of the most well-known stories that Charles Shultz has ever put to paper. The ending shows that everyone, no matter how perfect they may seem, is human and makes mistakes.
The cast and crew of Miami Valley Christian Academy showed extreme professionalism working with such a short rehearsal schedule and limited practice time in their theatre space. The production was balanced well with the use of technology, sets, and stage presence brought by the actors.
The production was led by Max Hunkler, Charlie Brown, and Jillian Beasley, Lucy. Hunkler portrayed his character with such charm and admiration for the iconic character. He was accompanied by his leading lady, Jillian Beasley. Beasley commanded the stage with such sass that her performance seemed too real.
A particular actress that stood out vocally was Sarah Schott who played Snoopy, the fun-loving pet dog of Charlie Brown. Her voice never faltered as she was able to find the balance between acting and singing without fail. She was accompanied by Gunnar Shoemaker who played Linus. His enthusiasm was top notch. He was able to make you feel as if you were dancing alongside him.
Each technical aspect of this show was thought out completely. The set was composed of six large boxes to resemble the squares of a comic strip. Various colors of lights were used to accompany each character and each musical number. Prior to the beginning of the show, each "box" displayed the original sketch of the character of the Peanuts Gang, each to correspond with its real life performer.
The childlike nature of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" was accompanied by a high level of professionalism, making this production a true showcase of talent!
Rosie Schuermann
Saint Ursula Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 5
High schoolers playing elementary school kids may leave some casts shaking their heads saying, "good grief!" but Miami Valley Christian Academy boldly took on the challenge. With an audience of all ages, the cast and crew kept constant energy to entertain all.
Clark Gesner's "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" follows the beloved Peanuts Gang as they navigate friendship, school, and growing up through upbeat songs and dance numbers. The comic strip characters come to life as Charlie Brown doubts his self-worth and is reminded by his friends that he is not only important, but a good man.
The cast of nineteen captured the spirit of young children through their expressive facials and commitment to their characters. Max Hunkler brought a wide range of emotion to Charlie Brown through his well-timed comedic expressions and dulcet vocals that perfectly matched Charlie's personality. Gunnar Shoemake was a complementary Linus to Hunkler's Charlie Brown, bringing comedic relief through his self-choreographed "My Blanket and Me" dance and snappy one-liners. Sarah Schott's powerful vibrato reverberated around the theater in solos such as "Suppertime" that left the audience humming along in the hallways after the show.
The ensemble tied the Peanuts Gang together with their high energy and constant movement. Despite some audio difficulties causing the songs to start late and some lines to be lost from late mics, the cast never failed to stay in character and handled the difficulties like professionals. Although some performers seemed to lose their energy at times, the cast executed the choreography in perfect step with one another. Haley Page's appearances as Woodstock brought a joyful energy to the stage that captured the show's theme of childhood innocence.
The crew's attention to detail was evident through lighting matched to the characters' costumes and personalities, a comic-strip inspired set, and movable set pieces such as Snoopy's doghouse. Plywood boxes were constructed to allow the actors to perform in a life-sized comic strip that doubled as a clever homage to the original Charles M. Schulz comics. This meticulous work also carried over to themed lighting such as when glowing white polka-dots were projected throughout the space while the characters watched the stars. While some of the audio difficulties were distracting, it was evident that a lot of hard work went into the technical aspects of the show. There was a reason behind every technical decision such as making the school bus light enough for the actors to carry to create an illusion of riding in a vehicle. This painstaking attention to detail elevated the show and brought significance to every object on stage.
The return to childhood was executed in a way that seemed natural rather than uncomfortable due to the cast's unwavering commitment to their characters. Miami Valley Christian Academy did a fine job producing this feel-good show that all ages were able to enjoy.
Samantha Flerlage
Mariemont High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 6
Classic comic strip characters comes to life as the musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" takes the stage at Miami Valley Christian Academy. With their stunning vocals and prevalent humor, the cast pulled the Peanut Gang out of the comics and onto the stage with great skill and dedication.
"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" follows the story of Charlie Brown and the Peanut Gang through a journey of finding one's self and self- acceptance. In a comedic comic strip musical, the classic characters from the Peanuts comics are brought to life in a new light.
The cast of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" gave a wonderful performance with evident cast chemistry that blended both the leads and ensemble well in musical numbers like "Suppertime" and "Beethoven Day."
Max Hunkler led the cast as Charlie Brown With strong, emotional vocals and a joyful innocence, Hunkler gave an outstanding performance with his vocal control and acting skills. Jillian Beasley impressed with her acting skills, adding depth to her previously stagnant character, Lucy, with her emotion. Vocally stunning in songs like "Snoopy" and "Suppertime" was Sarah Schott, playing Snoopy. With perfect tone and intonation, she stood out among the cast for her vocal talent.
Additionally, Gunnar Shoemake and Kalena Jackson supported the show as Linus and Sally with their phenomenal vocal talent and a hint of humor. Shoemake brought a specific hint of humor to the stage as he argued with other characters over his blanket, illuminating the feelings of attachment between a child and an object. Also contributing to the comedic musical through ironic timing and impressionable facial expressions was Piper Harrell playing Peppermint Patty.
Throughout the musical, the comic book strip background was brought to life perfectly with the hard work of the backstage crew and set builders. Lighting fluctuated in and out of the boxes, colored and cued to match each character and build contrast through intrinsic lighting and a dedicated light crew.
As the lights dimmed on the staged comic book strip, Miami Valley Christian Academy's cast conveyed a hopeful message of acceptance and self- assurance through their humorous and joyful performance of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
Lukas Hummeldorf
Notre Dame Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 7
A man is not defined as good by their physicality or power. A man is determined as good through their feelings, actions, and charisma. This notion is proven through the musical," You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown!" by demonstrating the qualities through short comedic scenes and songs
In the show, the spotlight is cast upon the Peanuts gang. All the original characters are presented through dialogue, song, and dance. The main focus of the show is Charlie Brown; he is presented with his friends and displays his usual compassion towards them. Though he feels invisible, Charlie discovers the true bliss in being cordial at the end of the story.
Though the beginning of the show dipped a little in energy due to technical difficulties, the cast and crew picked themselves up by the bootstraps and marched forth with a great show. Not only did they demonstrate the ideals of the musical, but they performed an infectious production with smiles and bright emotions.
Max Hunkler, who played Charlie Brown, presented a show with a strong lead who made sure to leave room for the cast to tell their own stories as well; you are a good actor, Max Hunkler. On the other mound, Jillian Beasley created a delightful character arch for the role of Lucy. Both Jillian and Max grasped how this show must have worked and easily earned the attention of everyone.
The other cast members who breathed life into this script included Sarah Schott, who played a beautiful rendition of the classic dog Snoopy; Kalena Jackson, who performed the sassy Sally to great abilities; Jackson Guin, who sang his heart out in "Beethoven Day" as Schroeder; and Haley Page, who silently played the energetic bird Woodstock. Last but not least, Gunnar Shoemake, who portrayed Linus, energized the whole stage while using both huge physicality in his movements and memorable facial expressions.
With the limits given to the technical crew, it was a wonder to see the performance come together so well! The lighting crew understood everything on their plate and made sure everything resulted in a memorable production. The set was built intricately by using boxes to illustrate a comic book effect. Finally, the stage crew was sharp with the scene changes, while the stage management demonstrated the organization needed for the presentation.
After previewing this show, the warm feeling left inside can make someone realize how bright this world truly can be. It may be crazy and lonely, but note there are happy endings around everyone all the time. One last take away is to treat everyone with the honor and respect Charlie Brown presented in this musical.
Taylor Zureick
Roger Bacon High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 8
With the holidays rolling around, everyone becomes excited for a family get-together. These celebrations can easily involve a series as a tradition. brought everyone happiness and recalled some childhood memories during this production. It was enjoyable to see teenagers act so young in this version of . Even though the plot is simply average days in the lives of the Peanuts gang, I was entertained every minute.
Everyone's favorite pup, , was played by , and it was clear her energy led the cast through many of the songs. Even though is only a sophomore, her talent shined the whole duration of the production. After the song <"Snoopy"> in the first act, the audience was left waiting to hear her breathtaking voice again in Act Two. <"Snoopy"> was a crowd favorite, but the true show-stopping number was <"Suppertime>." <"Suppertime"> had everyone's attention and encouraged everyone to get involved. The audience could not help but smile every minute of the song. The hats were absolutely adorable, and each cast member utilized dancing with it which was impressive. Many audience members were in shock when the lights went out after the number, and the hats were still shining like stars on stage.
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The audience enjoyed the choice of using scrim to portray the Peanuts gang. How many audience members recall them from cartoons? It was clever to place each character where the actor portraying them was standing. During the bows, the audience also enjoyed seeing crew members behind the cartoons. The crew must of been proud of their work, and it showed when the audience saw how excited they were to actually be recognized.
It was clear, while watching this musical, that the cast and crew worked very hard to achieve something like this. This production was well-put- together and impressive, especially after learning what the cast endured throughout the process. Although there were a few wardrobe malfunctions and struggles with microphones, the audience was still blown away by the raw talent displayed on stage. Even when an obstacle was encountered, each actor reacted accordingly and made the show run smoothly. After learning it only took seventeen rehearsals to perfect this show and the cast did not have access to their performance space until five days before opening night, the realization was these high school students worked harder than expected. With this production involving a double cast, the audience was astonished by the energy that was maintained through every number. The creativity and consistency was superb in this production.
In this production, each character performed to their full potential and never let technical issues prevent the show from resuming. himself and the characters without names or lines all held high energy levels consistently through the show, and it was recognized by the audience and appreciated.
Chloe Rack
Ross High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 9
Everyone grows up. It's a part of life. However, another part of growing up is figuring out who you are and how you fit into this world. At a young age, we start to become who we are, and in Miami Valley Christian Academy Theatre's recent production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," Charlie Brown finds himself facing these questions.
The musical takes you on a bunch of short stories throughout Charlie's life along with some of his friends. We get to see him grow from a boy who is so down on himself, only to become more confident in the end.
Charlie Brown (Max Hunkler) is a five-year-old who has grown up being made fun of for being so kind, but he just took the harsh compliments and turned them into his motto. Hunker's portrayal of such a young boy was remarkable for being a high schooler. When Hunkler sang his first solo, "The Kite," you could hear the emotion in his voice with how his character was feeling at that moment in the musical.
Snoopy (Sarah Schott) is Charlie's dog whom he takes care of and loves to play with. Snoopy has a mind of his own, and Schott's role as man's best friend was outstanding. It was clear she had a beautiful voice when she sang "Snoopy" and "Suppertime." Her energy was reflected off the stage, and the emotion she put into being Charlie's companion was amazing.
The set on stage was simple and gave a clear understanding of the feeling of comic strips, resembling the comics of Charlie Brown that was found in newspapers from a different time. The six boxes that resemble different rooms were used for small comical performances by one or two characters. The costumer (Sarah Poynter) did a very good job of portraying the youth of the characters on stage.
The lighting effects were brilliant at the beginning of the musical. The way they had each individual squared room a different color really gave the feeling of childlike wonder. at the end of the show, there was a dazzling effect of stars during the last song, "Happiness," which caused the audience to look all around as the sparkling lights filled the theatre, and the whole cast came together one last time.
Miami Valley Christian Academy Theatre's production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" was a funny, youthful experience that portrays the story of growing up and becoming confident in yourself.