On April 9, 10 and 11 in the Middleton High School (MHS) Performing Arts Center (PAC), MHS Theatre put on a dazzling musical production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” The show was directed by returning musical director and MHS teacher Katrina Brunner. 

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” was first staged in 1967, with short yet amusing depictions of Charlie Brown stories that aimed to  mimick the amusing four panel “Peanuts” comic strips.. The show augments longer passages which include familiar soliloquies paralleling Shakespeare and fun musical interludes. 

The play begins by introducing Charlie Brown, quickly showing the audience his pathetic yet heartwarming character. As the audience follows him through his daily life, they are introduced to Sally, Linus, Lucy, Shroeder, Snoopy and other friends in the story, also known as the “Peanuts.” 

As the musical progresses, the relationships between characters are explored through short snippets of dialogue and song, which include Lucy being head-over-heels for Shroeder and her joy in tormenting Charlie Brown, Linus’s love for his blanket, Snoopy’s wild imagination, Sally’s continuous frustration with her jump rope, and Charlie Brown’s love from afar for the mysterious red-headed girl. 

The play concludes with Lucy approaching Charlie Brown, delivering her final line: “You’re a good man, Charlie Brown,” followed by all of the lead characters embracing each other in a group hug. 

In the chaos of handling so many different stories, MHS Theatre made “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” unique. From their dazzling cast to the outstanding crew, MHS Theatre drew audiences in, with viewers leaving the show with bustling reviews of how good it was.

The leading cast was senior dominated, with only one junior, Ava Greenberg, who played Sally. 

“It’s the final show of my senior year,” said Linus Ballard (12), who played Shroeder. “I couldn’t miss it.” 

Ballard played a convincing Schroeder. With a telling expression on his face as he sang of his  disdain for Lucy, Ballard brought the character to life.

Cast members also got to enjoy the camaraderie between castmates and crew members, especially with such a small cast. 

“It was really smooth sailing with a smaller cast,” Greenberg said.. 

Greenberg’s performance left audience members in awe as she portrayed the adorable Sally with such passion. Everytime she stepped on stage, heads turned as they awaited her hilarious expressions. 

Though the cast was significantly smaller than other MHS Theatre musical casts, they were still mighty. It was composed of the talents of select students from all over MHS, including those who had never done theatre before. 

Dhriti Prakash, a senior, landed a leading role as Lucy for her first ever performance with MHS Theatre. However, it wasn’t luck that got Prakash the role, as her audition showcased her beautiful vocals.

“I was excited to be part of such a heartwarming show,” said Prakash. 

Due to the quick, non-linear storytelling the show called for, the cast and crew had to be on their toes at all times. 

“If you miss a cue, you somewhat screw with the show. So, you have to be on top of everything.” said Ben Freiberg (12), who played Linus. 

I truly was no match for MHS Theatre. They showed audiences that anything was possible, and conquered the unconventional musical. The acting, the singing and the set created a great show that the crowd absolutely adored. The leads carried the show with their spectacular vocals and the ensemble tie everything together to make the atmosphere welcoming showcased that MHS Theatre has, yet again, stolen the hearts of audiences.