‘Peanuts’ Musical for Darling Harbour
The lights are set, the floorboards polished, and the ‘Peanuts’ gang have their sights set on Darling Harbour. This June 7th and 8th, the Backstage Theatre Society is presenting You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, the 1967 musical written by Clarke Gesner, at the Lend Lease© Darling Quarter Theatre in Sydney.
The reputation of the Peanuts comic strip precedes itself. Translated into 21 languages, to a readership of 355 million in 75 countries, the tale of Snoopy and the gang has become a staple part of childhoods around the world. A tale of hope and perseverance, Charlie Brown’s story is often referred to as “the great American un-success story”. Whilst the protagonist has a penchant for self-doubt, an inability to play baseball or even fly a kite, he never gives up.
With a love of musical theatre instilled since childhood and quite the child-at-heart himself, it seemed a natural decision for Alexander Burge to make his directorial debut with You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.
“I grew up reading Peanut comics. Needless to say when the opportunity arose to direct Charlie and the gang live on stage, I immediately jumped at it.”
With a certain poetic license, Burge has adapted the cast from an original six members to fifteen. Whilst the script stays true to Gesner’s work, the personalities of the ‘Peanuts’ characters have been resurrected, with Peppermint Patty, Pig Pen and even Woodstock all sure to make their debut.
“The script was originally written for a much smaller cast of six but I didn’t like the idea of splitting-up the beloved Peanuts crew and depriving the audience of seeing them all “playing” together live on stage. I believe this adds a new, more elaborate and interactive dynamic to a wonderful and brilliantly childish production.
Another element of the musical I’m very excited about is our use of silhouettes. In an effort to reignite a sense of déjà-vu and the magic of the Peanuts comics, the characters will have their comic strip silhouettes projected upon a screen that sits at the back of the stage at pertinent moments within the production. I hope this will reinforce the audience’s own constructions of the characters as they were formed in childhood.”
Join Charlie, Snoopy and their friends for a night of kite flying, baseball, Beethoven and fun.
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
Friday June 7th, 7.30pm and Saturday June 8th, 1.30pm and 7.30pm
Lend Lease© Darling Quarter Theatre, 1 Harbour St. Sydney 2000
$15 Student/Concession, $20 Adult
Tickets can be purchased at: http://charliebrown.iwannaticket.com.au
Image: Charlie Brown (Harry Flitcroft) and Lucy (Camilla Turnbull).
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