An old comic strip will come to life at a Coquitlam high school this month.
Students at Dr. Charles Best Secondary are digging into You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown — a 1967 musical that was revised, and revived in 1999 for a Broadway cast that won two Tonys and three Drama Desk Awards, including for best show.
Its score was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000.
Last December, Best’s drama teacher Brad Case and music teacher Brent Hughes called for a dozen students to be a part of the extra-curricular production that will run from May 11 to 13 and May 17 to 19 at the school.
Lulu Hughes and Sidney Winkler were cast in the lead roles of Charlie Brown and his dog, Snoopy, while Natalie Owen was picked to portray Sally.
Case said the small ensemble and simple staging made it easy to mount the musical after three years of restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s a charming family show,” he said. “It’s iconic. People know Peanuts.”
The narrative follows Charlie Brown and his Peanuts peers as they ponder big questions about life, as well as baseball, homework, friendships and crushes.
The show unfolds for the audience through a series of humorous vignettes.
“It’s supposed to feel like you’re flipping through a comic book,” said Brent Hughes, who will be conducting a band of seven student musicians in the pit.
Case, who put on the same musical in 2007, said this year’s show also involves 15 student crew members responsible for the set, sound and lighting.
Case is especially looking forward to seeing the reaction from students in the feeder schools for the afternoon performances.
“Charlie Brown is a resilient character. He’s persistent, positive. The show has a great message for kids.”
For tickets at $20/$15 to see You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at Dr. Charles Best Secondary (2626 Como Lake Ave., Coquitlam), go to the School Cash Online system, call 604-461-5581 or pick them up at the door on show night. Doors to the school gym open at 7 p.m.; the curtain rises at 7:30 p.m.
