You're A Good Man Charlie Brown Qs...

[musicman_17082]

Posted: 8/19/07 at 8:05pm

I always feel stupid making posts like this but I'm gonna suck it up and do it anyway...

What can anyone tell me about choosing "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" as a local theater production?

I went to the website and ordered the perusal material to look into it more but I've got a few questions specifically I can't find the answers to... [in my opinion the script company did a poor job of explaining the details of the show on their site].

How many people total are in the cast? Is there any room to add chorus memebers [and is something like that allowed?]

How good of singers [and how many good singers] are needed to make the show a success?

How easy/difficult is the show overall and could beginners pull it off?

Okay... that's all... thank you much!

[feel free to share anything and everything you know about the show!]

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/19/07 at 8:09pm

It's wonderful for beginners. It's very fun and pretty easy vocally.

The role of Lucy should probably be reserved for your best singer. Unless you want her just screaming the whole time, her material is the most difficult.

Also, cast someone as Sally who isn't afraid to let it loose. Same for Snoopy.

The sets/ costumes are very easy. Every character needs one costume, and you need only a few pieces for a set.

It's a really fun show, and take some risks with direction. Go out on a limb and make it different!

There are 6 in the cast.

[musicman_17082]

Posted: 8/19/07 at 9:34pm

[bump]

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/19/07 at 9:38pm

You probably could add some ensemble parts. I wouldn't try adding new characters. I hate it when productions add Patty and Marci in. But an ensemble could work in the title number, Beethoven Day, and Suppertime.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 8/19/07 at 9:38pm

americanboy just answered all of your questions perfectly. Especially about the Sally and Snoopy thing.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 8/19/07 at 11:17pm

The Sally comments are good, unless you do the original version, which doesn't have Sally, it has a generic Patty. the original version is easier singing (because the vocal arrangements are harder in the revival). There are four male parts and two female parts, but a lot of places cast Snoopy as a girl even though it was written for a boy. I'm sure you will hear over and over that you are not supposed to add characters because it is not allowed, but a lot of places add a chorus. You can add them successfully to the Opening, The Kite, T.E.A.M., Happiness, as well as the Valentine scene, and the sceond scene in the playground. I'm sure there are other chances.

[SuddenlyTrey]

Posted: 8/19/07 at 11:55pm

Hey! I just finished a summerstock job as Charlie. And everyone has already answered everything, but I'll just add my two cents.

6 people 2 girls and 4 boys.
You can order either version but I prefer the revival! Andrew Lippa is a God!

I agree with LuPonatic that everyone says not to add characters but it IS done all the time because YAGMCB is such a small show, but it is small for a reason. But lots of audience memebers actually wanted to see the Little Red Haired girl...so you could get away with it...lots of people wanted to see Woodstock too. But I don't know how you could add people to the Kite scene...unless they are flying kites too, but you couldn't add them vocally.

It's a great small show for a smaller theater.

Lucy is very vocally demanding but I think Sally is as well.

Good luck!!

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 12:20am

yeah,in the Kite, everyone danced with Kites in my production. We had a little red haired girl and a little girl played Woodstock. Woodstock danced with Snoopy during his Act I song (very cute!) We also had chorus members be Peppermint Patty, Marci, Franklin, etc... but they were still chorus, their costumes were just more specific.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 8:26am

If you can choose which version to do, please choose the original. The revival makes a travesty of the score and has almost no charm whatsoever.

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 9:04am

I agree with Phil. The revival score is way too overblown and bloated. Stick with the original.

[Timmer]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 10:27am

It doesn't really answer your question except perhaps to give you an idea of a type, but in the original Off-Broadway production, Charlie Brown was played by Gary Burghoff (famous as Cpl. Radar O'Reilly on M*A*S*H.)

[JoshuaEads]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 10:40am

I've played Charlie Brown on several occasions and, although it's one of my favorite shows to perform, it never really sells well unless it's done for a kids' company as most people (at least 'round these parts) hear the name and immediately consider it Children's Theatre. Same goes for "Seussical" (which is another favorite of mine!)

If you're looking for a money-maker with room for a chorus, this show probably isn't for you.

On the up side, though, it's relatively inexpensive to produce, i.e. sets and costumes.

Having done the original, the revival and a mish-mash of both (oy!) I'd have to say that the original has more charm, while the revival is more upbeat and fun. It all depends on what you, your company and their audience prefer.

Hope this helped!

~Joshua

[Jon]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 1:23pm

You may add a chorus, but it is ILLEGAL to add "characters" - that is, to give names to ensemble members and give them lines of dialogue or solo lines in songs.

There are SIX CHARACTERS in the show. There is no Woodstock, no Pigpen, no Marcy, no Peppermint Patty(who is different than "Patty") no Frieda, no Shermy, etc.

[chinto1984]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 3:00pm

Great show for a small cast. I now high schools will Woodstocks as dancers in Suppertime and Snoopy.

This show can be done very simply and be good or be very creative and be good

Just make sure that your actors are willing to have fun with their parts.

[me2]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 3:14pm

I saw a production where the glee club rehearsal and several other numbers had added characters (like Pig Pen). It was fun.

I saw another production where they took dialogue and songs away from the core characters and gave them to Violet, Pig Pen, Frieda, and other characters not in the script. BAD idea.

I also think Charlie Brown is one of the most dificult characters to cast. Avoid shoving your least talented boy in the role. It really does require someone who can act un-dynamic while being dynamic.
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