You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown Comes To Madison, NJ

July 12, 2011 - PRLog -- The Madison Recreation Department and Playwrights Theatre Presents  
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN
Based on Comic Strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz
Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner
Additional dialogue by Michael Mayer
Additional Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
The original direction for this version of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN by Michael Mayer
Originally Produced in New York by Arthur Whitelaw and Gene Persson

(Madison, NJ) – The Madison Recreation Department and Playwrights Theatre present "You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown". The production (appropriate for all ages) will have three performances: July 21 and July 22 at 7:30pm and July 23 at 2:00pm. The production will be directed by Danielle Constance with musical direction by Jane Keitel. The cast features all Madison youth performers: Brian Lang, Kasey Colligan, Katharine Brundage, Sharlys Leszcuk, Tori Peterson, Alex Post, Ally Dupree, Mary Meyer, Grace VanCleef, Patty Doyle. Single tickets are on sale now $10 for adults and $5 for students/child. For tickets, visit www.ptnj.org or call the box office at 973-514-1787 X31. Performances take place at Playwrights Theatre, 33 Green Village Road in Madison, NJ.

"You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown" is based on the beloved "Peanuts" comic strip characters created by Charles Schultz. The musical comedy, now considered a standard in American Theater, was first presented off- Broadway then transferred to Broadway in 1967 and ran until 1971. The 1999 revival was nominated for 4 Tony Awards and 5 Drama Desk awards. It had two new songs written for the revival and featured the now famous actors: Anthony Rapp (RENT) and Tony winners: Kristen Chenoweth, Roger Bart, and B.D. Wong, as Linus.

A production appropriate for the entire family – parents and grandparents may remember reading the comic strip in the newspaper and how they related to the trials and tribulations of growing up, trying to figure out where we fit in and the joys, disappointments, and dreams we all have. Teenagers will enjoy seeing the cartoon characters they watched on TV in "A Charlie Brown Christmas", "It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and the animated version of "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown" brought to life. And it’s a wonderful way for little ones to meet Snoopy, Linus, Sally, Charlie Brown and all his friends.

The music will be played by a live band, and is filled with simple tunes, intricately and expertly composed. The story is a collection of vignettes, based on the comic strip written with charm, sweetness and an innocent sophistication for people of all ages.

"You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown" allows us to share an hour with old friends, brings back memories from childhood and reminds us all of the joy that is right in front of us every day.

“We’re having a great time working with the talented youngsters of Madison on this delightful musical. It’s truly a community event, with current and former Madison students working together with the professional artists from Playwrights Theatre,” said John Pietrowski, Artistic Director. “Mayor Mary Anna Holden has chipped in as well, doing a lot of the detail painting on the set.”

About The Production:
"You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown" is the first co-production between The Madison Recreation Department and Playwrights Theatre, which has been located in Madison for 25 years. This summer, 10 talented young people from the town will take the stage to bring Charles Schulz’s Peanuts characters to life on Playwrights Theatre’s stage in the Green Village Road School building — this will be the last full production in the space. We are pleased that this exceptional play celebrating the joy of growing into a unique individual will be the final show in a place where so many young people have developed their own imaginations and sense of self.

The production features recent Madison High graduates Kasey Colligan (Lucy), Brian Lang (Charlie Brown) and Alex Post (Schroeder), along with students Sharyls Leszcuk (Sally), Katharine Brundage (Linus), Tori Peterson (Snoopy), Patty Doyle (Peppermint Patty), Ally Dupree (Woodstock), Mary Meyer (Violet) and Grace VanCleef (Marcie). Madison student Hannah Craig will be Stage Manager, and Olivia Boisnier will be Assistant Stage Manager. Kasey Colligan and Brian Lang are also serving as production managers along with directing the upcoming "Suessical the Musical Jr." with younger students, for the recreation department on their own.

The show will be directed by Playwrights Theatre’s teaching artists Danielle Constance and Jane Keitel (both members of the professional Actors’ Equity Association). Madison residents James Sullivan is technical director, and Remy and Leah Starker are choreographing the dance sequences. The band will consist of both professional musicians and students. The production is also supported by the Borough of Madison’s Jim Burnet, and Director of Recreation, Zach Ellis.

This production of "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown" is a true collaboration of theatre professionals and the talented young people of Madison.  

About Playwrights Theatre:
Founded in 1986, Playwrights Theatre is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit professional theatre and arts education institution dedicated to developing and nurturing the dramatic imagination of artists, students, and audiences. Our New Play Program creates development opportunities for professional writers through readings, workshops and productions, and invites audiences to participate in authentic feedback experiences. Our New Jersey Writers Project, Poetry Out Loud, New Jersey Young Playwrights Contest and Festival, and Creative Arts Academy programs provide a comprehensive and hands-on arts education experience to over 31,000 students, Pre-K through adult.

Writers in the New Play Program are drawn from across the country, including our affiliation with the National New Play Network, a nation-wide group of theatres dedicated to the development and production of new work. Teaching Artists in our Education Programs are professional artists working in their field in the New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. From 2003-2012, we have been designated a Major Arts Institution by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (along with only four other theatres: The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, George Street Playhouse, McCarter Theatre Center and Paper Mill Playhouse) as “an anchor institution that contributes vitally to the quality of life in New Jersey.”

Funding for our activities comes from: the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the F.M. Kirby Foundation, Inc., Bank of America, the Bay and Paul Foundation, The Bickford Foundation, Dramatist Guild Fund, Horizon Foundation of New Jersey, The Prudential Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Travelers, The Victoria Foundation, and many corporations, foundations and individuals.

Playwrights Theatre is a member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, the National New Play Network, and Madison Arts & Culture Alliance.

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Playwrights Theatre is a non-profit, professional theatre comprised of playwrights, theatre artists, and arts educators. We provide opportunities for writers to develop their works in a nurturing environment and connect with new audiences.