You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

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YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

Photo: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Cititour.com Review
If you’re thinking “good grief” when faced with the prospect of seeing another production of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” – which has been done on Broadway, Off-Broadway and every school you’ve ever heard of or been to – the York Theater Company has given you a good reason to change your mind. This latest version of this appealing if slight musical, based on the beloved comic strip “Peanuts,” has the six young characters actually played by young actors -- many with Broadway credits. It makes a difference, especially if you’re planning to bring your own youngsters along, to see kids playing kids for a change.

Leading Michael Unger’s spirited production in the title role is the remarkable Joshua Colley (a former Gavroche from “Les Miserables”), who precisely captures the kid-in-the-yellow-shirt’s sometimes sad-sack, sometimes hopeful nature and who also possesses an often booming voice you can probably hear on Lexington Avenue. Remember his name, so you can say you saw him when…

Surrounding him are the supremely energetic Aidan Gemme as his beloved dog Snoopy, the seemingly wiser-than-her-years Milly Shapiro as Charlie’s precocious little sister Sally, the supremely poised and vocally impressive Mavis Simpson-Ernst as the know-it-all Lucy Van Pelt, the diminutive, fleet-footed Jeremy T. Villas as her blanket-loving brother Linus, and the lovably nerdy Gregory Diaz as the Beethoven-adoring Schroeder. Trust me, they’re better than the Brady Bunch.

Longtime fans of the comic strip will recognize many of the vignettes chosen by the show’s late author Clark Gesner, which smartly illustrate many life lessons about friendship, teamwork, and sibling rivalry – and remind all of us, at any age, how difficult childhood can seem. Gesner also penned such irresistible tunes as the title song, “Suppertime” and “Happiness,” while the talented Andrew Lippa contributed Sally’s show-stopping “My New Philosophy” and the joyful group number “Beethoven Day” (both penned for the show’s 1999 Broadway revival, helmed by Tony winner Michael Mayer.)

As is usually the case at the York, there’s nothing at all lavish about the staging. But Brian Prather’s clever sets do what they need to do, Grier Coleman’s costumes are just right, a trio led by pianist/music director Eric Swejcar sounds swell, and Jennifer Paulson Lee’s choreography adds a welcome touch of razzle-dazzle at times.

You’ll be charmed, I’m sure, if you go see this show. Now, that will be five cents please. (Just kidding!)
By Brian Scott Lipton


Visit the Site
http://www.yorktheatre.org/youre-a-good-man-charlie-brown.html

Cast
Joshua Colley, Gregory Diaz, Aidan Gemme, Milly Shapiro, Mavis Simpson-Ernst, Jeremy T. Villas and Graydon Peter Yosowitz

Open/Close Dates
Opening 6/11/2016
Closing 6/26/2016


Theatre Info
York Theatre/St. Peters
619 Lexington Ave. at 54th St.
Neighborhood: East 50s
New York, NY 10022
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