You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Alex Theatre, Friday July 1st 2016

You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Alex Theatre, Friday July 1st 2016

For those new to my blog I write about the holistic experience of attending the theatre. I buy my own tickets. So if you want a re-telling of the story please refer to the links for further information or for further insights.  Note, that I may provide different links for repeated main words or phrases.  I write for my memories of what I have seen, and is more of a stream of consciousness.

We saw "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" based on the comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles Schulz. The script is by Clark Gesner and played at the Alex Theatre in St Kilda. This is such a good show for adults and families. If you a Peanuts fan - then you will understand the subtleties of the jokes with the various 3,4 8 or 12 frames from the comic strips.. It was so clever with simple and effective staging. The characterisations were honest versions of the cartoon strip. The singing and choreography paid homage to so many old movies and Broadway shows. This is a very slick production that should tour and play more than the school holidays. This is one of Melbourne's theatrical highlights for 2016.

Programme production credits are hard to read due to the small font size used on page 7 of the programme.  It would have been good to include the song list for audience members to recall the songs and sequences.

Each production number paid homage to vaudeville, Busby Berkeley films, and to various films including "The Jazz Singer" film.  The more you have read the comic strip and seen old movies the more you will understand the in jokes in this clever production.

This production was snappy and slick and is a credit to the direction of Gary Abrahams.  The casting was perfectly appropriate for every role.  Gary Abrahams' direction and vision was obvious in the synergy of all parts coming together - costumes, sets, lighting, choreography, music and performances.

Charlie Brown was played with sincerity by the ever competent Cameron MacDonald.  The kite scene with Charlie Brown was poignant and well staged.  Cameron MacDonald is a consistently well rounded performer who transforms each role with gusto and commitment and it is always a joy to see him in a new role.  His career is certainly worth while following.

Snoopy was brought to life by the incomparable skill of Luigi Lucente.  He played so many levels of Snoopy with his playfulness and his interaction with the birds, clouds and other characters.  Luigi Lucente brilliantly transformed the Snoopy character into the philosopher that Charles Schulz created.  The scene with Snoopy as the Red Baron was fun and well timed.  Luigi Lucente is an actor to watch closely in the future.

Adam Porter had the requisite desperation and anxiety of Linus.  His needy behaviour with his comfort blanket was added to by his sweaty persona.

Courtney Glass was Lucy the bully with her turned out stance, over-confident posturing and the raucous voice. "The Doctor Is In" sequence showcased the comedic talent of Courtney Glass.

Sarah Morrison played Sally without over powering her character. The opening Act Two duet with Schroeder is the memorable "My New Philosophy".  Her duet with Joshua Robson as Schroeder was played with warmth and musicality.  Joshua Robson singing "Beethoven Day" was a song of yearning and hope.  He played the piano with the composure and maturity of Schroeder.

The whole cast worked as an ensemble and supported each other through out.  They sang beautifully under the musical direction of Ben Kiley.

Dana Jolly's choreography is cartoon-esque and honours Charles Schulz's comic strip.  The use of the stairs in her choreography paid homage to Busby Berkeley,  old-time movies and Broadway musicals.  Dana Jolly brings out the best in the performers and ensures the audience has as much fun with the signature moves for each character.  From the "Opening/You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" to the finale "Happiness" Dana Jolly has captured the spirit and essence of the philosophical life of Charlie Brown and Snoopy.

The costume design by Chloe Greeves was perfect for each character with the clean lines of the comic strip.  The chunky soled shoes were just so perfect and respected Charles Schulz's drawings.  I look forward to more of her designs in the future.

The set design by Jacob Battista was so much fun and captured the essence of the one, two, three or four panels of Charles Schulz' comic strip.   The use of the screens reminded me of the Sydney Theatre Company's production of "Two Weeks With the Queen" and directed by Wayne Harrison. The use of the stairs that rolled out to create Snoopy's kennel or Schroeder's piano were simple, clever and fun.  These moving set pieces reminded me of "Falsettos" directed again by Wayne Harrison for  Sydney Theatre Company.  Jacob Battista is a set designer to watch in the future.

I used to read the cartoons as a child in the 1960's and the 1970's.  I used to watch the animated tv shows, and this production really nailed it.  They sounded like the characters.  They moved like the characters.  Not once did I disbelieve they were not the real characters.

The finale filled my heart with love, hope and fun.  I longed for the simpler times that Charles Schulz captured in his comic strips.

"You're A Good Man Charlie Brown"  received 8/10 and could easily be seen again!