NAU Theater charms with ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’

NAU Theater
NAU Theater
Top row from left: Ben Harris is Linus, Matt Hornbeck is Snoopy and Robin Neely is Schroeder. Bottom row from left: Aubrea Carlton is Sally, Jake Larowe is Charlie Brown and Amber Stonebraker is Lucy. Photo by Beth Hammer

A beloved cast of comic strip characters comes to life to share their hopes, dreams and their angst-ridden-but-optimistic view of the world in the family musical, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, opening April 1 at NAU’s Studio Theater.

Clark Gesner’s play has charmed audiences for more than 40 years, and is based on characters created by cartoonist Charles Schulz in his comic strip Peanuts, in which Charlie Brown worries about the small things as he searches for the true meaning of life.

“The show is lighthearted, but also has some powerful underlying messages about love, happiness and standing up in the face of adversity,” said student director Shelby Brimhall.

NAU students comprise the cast, including Jake Larowe as Charlie Brown, Ben Harris as Linus, Matt Hornbeck as Snoopy, Amber Stonebraker as Lucy, Aubrea Carlton as Sally and Robin Neely as Schroeder.

Highlights of the musical include songs such as My Blanket and MeThe Baseball Game and Suppertime, performed by theater students Mary Plante (piano), Emily Kuckuk (drums), Mac Adee (bass) and Sergei Arias (violin).

You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown will play at the NAU Studio Theater April 1-6 at 8 p.m. with matinees at 2 p.m. on April 5 and 6.

Tickets are $11 for general admission, $10 for faculty, staff and senior citizens, and $8 for students and children. Call the NAU Central Ticket Office at (928) 523-5661, or go to www4.nau.edu/cto