Happiness

This weekend, if you didnt see You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (put on by MLP) then shame on you! The last time I saw this play was when my brother's eighth grade made this their final play. It was great then, and it was even better this Saturday. Who knew such a simple, happy feel good show, wouldnt be cheesy (as it easily could have been), but rather, saved by its excellent acting, proved to be a great comedy. The play was excellently casted, there were some new faces on stage but they proved to hold their own with the veterans. The stage didnt have too many, props except for the trees that were standard throughout the play, benches, and then the couch (it was pretty great, this huge couch to give the young adult characters a kid resemblence). The best characters,all though all were pretty great, were Charlie Brown and Lucy, played by Nate Wasson and Rachel Havird. The energy just really came out with them on stage, and they were really into their roles. Perhaps a great scene that showed this, was when Charlie Brown is trying to fly his kite. What could have been a dull scene was great, not only the singing but also the acting was well done...Wasson might have cared less if his fake kite really flew, but he made it seem like the world to Charlie. Lucy's brusque mannerisms are well done, and her bossy attitude is acted out great. Snoopy, Linus, Schroeder, and the rest of the gang all act their roles out great and with an energy that really engages the audience. Throughout the play, you forget that these ideas are just kid's "philosophies." The tension between Lucy and Schroeder is awesome, their banter between Beethoven and dishware had the house roaring with laughter. And then there was Linus' tap dance with his blanket...priceless. Charlie Brown was definitely worth the time this weekend, even with the huge homework load, everyone needs a good laugh now and then. The singing was also another thing that made the show apart from the acting. I'm not sure if all those actors were CHOR kids, but they definitely sang like it. The intensity and effort that the actors put into this production certainly payed off, and they deserve the rave reviews the receive. MLP has once again put on an excellent production, proving that small productions are worth the time and chance.