'Charlie Brown' Brings Timeless Fun to FCT

By Dixie Walters

Fans of the "Peanuts" comic strip undoubtedly have fond memories of so many individual stories and characters that it's hard to single out any one as a favorite. Thanks to Fauquier Community Theatre's upcoming play, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," you don't have to choose. Based on the comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, the play brings together some of the most memorable moments and characters from the comic strip in one production.

The play presents a day in the life of that loveable blockhead, Charlie Brown. Over the span of dawn to dusk, Charlie Brown experiences a series of ups and downs, ranging from short-lived peer affirmation to a dearth of valentines on Valentine's Day. But it's not all about Charlie Brown, played by Jonathan Fork. Joining him onstage are some of his familiar friends, including Lucy (Alice Yarborough), Linus (Connor Martin), Sally (Maggie Pierce) and Schroeder (Dylan Pierce).

And, of course, there's Snoopy (Gracie Schwab) and Woodstock, too - well, make that a "whole flock of Woodstocks," according to director Christie Clark, who explains that numerous young performers between the ages of 4 to 8 help bring the beloved bird to life. There is also singing and dancing, with music and lyrics supplied by Clark Gesner.

Although the summer play is designed to showcase the talents of young performers - the cast includes about 25 youths between the ages of 4 and 16 - Clark says the production aims to appeal to audience members of all ages. "Who doesn't love Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang?" she asks. "No matter what age we are, we can pull from the life lessons of the comic strip and relive experiences."

Not to mention, the play is just funny and highly entertaining, Clark says, noting that it has attracted a number of young performers who are new to the FCT stage, as well as some familiar faces.

Clark, who is better known to theatre patrons as the public relations manager, is performing directorial duties for the first time. Although working with a large cast of young performers has its challenges, Clark said it's been fun to watch the performers grow into their roles. "It's just uncanny. They've really become their characters," she says.

"I hope everyone will come out and support these young people who are doing something healthy and worthwhile and give them some hurrahs for all the effort they've put into this production."

Performances of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" are scheduled for August 16, 17, 18 and Aug. 23, 24 and 25. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. In addition, a performance is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m., for special needs children and their families. Tickets range from $10 (students) to $12 (adults).

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(Five shows for the price of 4! Choice between Smoke on the Mountain and
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)

Fiddler on the Roof  

Oct. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20

Dinner and Show Oct. 20 

Book by Joseph Stein

Music by  Jerry Bock    Lyrics by  Sheldon Harnick

 Directed By Scott Heine          

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In the little village of Anatevka, Tevye, a poor dairyman, tries to instill in his five daughters the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. 

 

 

                   

White Christmas 

Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 6-8, 13-15 

Based Upon the Paramount Pictures Film 

Written For the Screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank 

Music and Lyrics By Irving Berlin 

Book By David Ives and Paul Blake

Original stage production directed by Walter Bobbie 

Orchestrations Larry Blank

Vocal and Dance Arrangements Bruce Pomahac

Directed By Susan Noe

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Based on the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features seventeen Irving Berlin songs and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song and dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two foolow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. The dazzling score features well known standards including Blue Skies, I love a Piano, How Deep is the Ocean and perennial favorite, White Christmas. White Christmas is an uplifting musical!

   

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 
Jan. 24-26, Jan. 31-Feb. 2

By Dale Wasserman 

Based on the Ken Kesey novel 

Directed by Leland Shook 

  

Recommended for Adult Audiences

  

McMurphy has a criminal past and has once again gotten himself into trouble with the law. To escape labor duties in prison, McMurphy pleads insanity and is sent to a ward for the mentally unstable. Once here, McMurphy both endures and stands witness to the abuse and degradation of the oppressive Nurse Ratched, who gains superiority and power through the flaws of the other inmates. McMurphy and the other inmates band together to make a rebellious stance against the atrocious nurse.

Smoke on the Mountain 
Feb. 14-16, 21-23 

Book by Connie Ray 

Conceived by Alan Bailey
Musical arrangement by Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick
Directed by Ted Ballard

  

Smoke on the Mountain takes you back to a simpler time, 1938, where the audience becomes the congregation of the Mount Pleasant Church. You are invited to their "first ever Saturday night sing," where Pastor Oglethorpe is bound and determined to move his flock into the "modern world." The Sanders family includes Vera, the Bible quoting, hymn belting, matriarch of the Sanders family, her husband, Burl, their twins Dennis and Denise with their laugh a second antics, eldest daughter, June Sanders who "doesn't sing, she signs," and the wayward Uncle Stanley. Smoke on the Mountain is hilarious, and also shares a message of faith, family and forgiveness in the Sanders testimonies. The award-winning musical has become a world-wide hit. With its heartfelt gospel songs and down-to-earth characters, this musical is a celebration of life, love and bluegrass gospel at its finest.

 

Black Coffee  

Mar. 21-23, 28-30, Apr. 4-6 

By Agatha Christie 

Directed By Tim Bambara

  

  

  

In Agatha Christie's Black Coffee, the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot cunningly absorbs clues to solve the murder of Sir Claud Amory, an eccentric inventor of a new weapons formula. The cast is filled with the colorful, suspicious characters Christie takes delight in, and features a plot with fiendishly clever twists that are the trademark of the world's greatest creator of murder mysteries.Black Coffee is Christie's first play, initially produced in 1930. 

  

Little Women
May 2-4, 9-11, 16-18

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Book by Allan Knee 

Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein 

Music by Jason Howland Directed by Danica Shook

 

Based on Louisa May Alcott's own family experiences (and novel), LITTLE WOMEN, follows the adventures of Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March as they grow up in Civil War America. The beloved story of the March sisters is timeless and deals with issues as relevant today as when they were written. Now, this wonderful narrative has been brought to life as an exhilarating new musical filled with glorious music, dancing and heart.