STAGE LEFT PLAYERS Youths to present 'Charlie Brown'

The original version was written in 1967 and revised in 1998.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
LISBON -- Stage Left Players youth players will soon present their first play of the new year, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
Director Kandace Cleland of Lisbon says the play carries a positive message to kids.
"The characters all do their usual things, and Charlie Brown, of course, is at the bottom rung of the ladder," said Cleland. "But we can identify with him when nothing goes right, yet he keeps trying, and that is what it's all about. The kids can see the humor in his suffering, but what's important is that the whole gang sticks together."
Revised version
The original version of the play was written in 1967, with music and lyrics by Clark Gesner, then later revised in 1998.
"In the revision, the characters and some of the skits have changed, and there is new music. [Patty has been replaced by Sally.] The skits are very short, like reading the comics, sometimes only one line, and the scene changes are punctuated by music," said Cleland.
As in the comics, the characters cover a wide variety of life situations. In one scene, Sally complains about the "C" she got on her coat hanger sculpture. In another scene, Lucy is mad at the world, and Schroeder specifically asks her if she is mad at trees, rocks, buses and roller skates. She says yes, and points out that he didn't mention jump ropes.
And the songs also cover a wide variety of topics. In one, the group sings about having to write a book report on "Peter Rabbit."
In another, Schroeder wants to create a national holiday called "Beethoven Day." "He also thinks Beethoven should have a face on Mount Rushmore," says Jodine Pilmer, music director, of Lisbon. "This is one of the new songs in the revised version, and one of the better ones. It kind of has a gospel feel to it."
But don't expect to hear the music everyone is familiar with from the television specials. "There are just hints of the familiar theme music, but most of the songs are very different," Pilmer said.
The set is a unit, with blue sky, puffy clouds, and green grass. "We use nine cubes to move around to create the scenes we need," said Cleland. "And of course, we have Schroeder's grand piano."
The cast
While the script calls for only six cast members, Cleland found ways to involve many more kids.
The 21-member cast includes children from all over the area -- including Canfield, Girard, Leetonia, Lisbon and Struthers -- in grades seven to 12, said Cleland.
The main characters are Charlie Brown (Nathan Kuhns, Lisbon), Lucy (Carly Ellis, Salem), Sally (Chelsea Farthing, Alliance), Schroeder (Reed Worth, Elkton), Snoopy (Daniel Huston, Salem), and Linus (Tyler Hanes, Struthers.)
The play runs Jan. 13, 14, 20, 21 at 8 p.m., and Jan. 22 at 2 p.m., at the Outreach Center in Lisbon, 234 E. Lincoln Way.
Call (330) 424-5093 for ticket information.