The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

‘Charlie Brown’ on stage in Lebanon

Young actors enjoy playing characters they grew up watching on TV.

‘Spelling Bee’ musical onstage next weekend
2/5/12
Satchel Paige play joins Black History Month lineup
2/5/12
Arts sampler grows to 3 Saturdays
2/5/12
Playhouse actors 'Speaking in Tongues'
2/3/12
Cities cut giving taxpayer money to festivals
1/31/12
> More headlines

By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 11:00 AM Friday, August 6, 2010

LEBANON — Every actor finds challenges in getting into a character, but for an upcoming role, 18-year-old Erin Sheehy had to think outside of her own species.

“My first hurdle was to get over playing a canine, and then realizing the dog isn’t even my gender,” Sheehy said.

She plays Snoopy, the beloved doggy fixture of the Peanuts comic strip in the Lebanon Theatre Company’s presentation of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Based on the Peanuts comic strip, the musical comedy debuted on Broadway in 1967 and has been a favorite at theaters around the country. The Lebanon Theatre’s Company’s production features an all-student cast as well as several behind-the-scenes roles filled by high school students.

Erin said the role of the iconic beagle has been an enjoyable one.

“The first question everyone asks me is if Snoopy speaks during the play,” Erin said. “I do have lines. It’s really fun. Snoopy gets to basically run around and do whatever he wants.”

Other actors in the production said playing characters they grew up watching was a dream come true.

“I have been a fan of Peanuts since I was little,” said Ivy Moody, 14, who plays know-it-all Lucy. “I have a big book of the comic strip that I still read today.”

Icy described Lucy as “very crabby” and an enjoyable role to play.

“She wants to be the queen,” Icy said. “The best parts are when she’s teaching her little brother something and it may not be all the way true.”

“You want to do justice to the character because everyone knows them so well,” said Skyler McNeely, 17, who plays the piano-obsessed Schroeder. “It can be difficult to transition from a cartoon character into real life.”

The play touches on Lucy and Schroeder’s one-sided romance.

“Lucy is absolutely in love with Schroeder, but all he cares about is his music,” Skyler said.

The play is directed by Abbie Campbell, a rare grown-up on the set.

“Working with the kids has been terrific,” Campbell said. “They are all excited to be here and eager to listen and work with the advice I can give them.”

The Lebanon production opens Friday Aug. 6, with a special one night only pre-show dinner at the Golden Lamb. Others shows are Aug. 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. and Aug. 12, 13, and 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the show are $16, except the dinner theater show, which is $40. All shows are at the newly renovated Mechanic Street Playhouse, 10 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (513) 228-0932 or e-mail ltc@ltcplays.com.

How to go

What: Lebanon Theatre Co. presents “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!”

When: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6 (special dinner show), 2 p.m., Sundays, Aug. 8 and 15; 7:30 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 12-14

Where: Mechanic Street Playhouse, 10 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon

Cost: $40, dinner and show; $16 all other shows; Special group rates available Thursday, Aug. 12

More Info: Call (513) 228-0932 or e-mail ltc@ltcplays.com

Share this article