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  • Aaron Siler as Charlie Brown, right, shares a scene with Milette Siler as Lucy in Plaza Theatre Co.’s production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Special to the Times-Review/Matt Snider

    It’s a good show, Plaza Theatre

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May 1, 2007

It’s a good show, Plaza Theatre

Lots of energy in ‘Charlie Brown’

By Matt Snider/Special to the Times-Review

Plaza Theatre Co. staged its inaugural performance and instituted its first season Thursday with the opening of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” a delightful, family-friendly musical based on the work of Charles M. Schultz in his “Peanuts” comic strip. I had the pleasure of attending the first Saturday evening performance for this review.

This is one of the most frequently presented musicals in community theaters. The reason is because “Peanuts” as a comic strip appeared in 2,000 newspapers worldwide and has a near universally recognized and admired set of characters with whom just about everyone can identify. There is nothing but pure fun and charm generously heaped into the humorous presentation of a day in the life of Charlie Brown in the middle of the crisis of being forever 5 years old. The characters are funny, lovable and allow all in attendance to simply have a good time.

Plaza’s “Charlie Brown,” like all its planned performances, is presented in the round — the stage is in the center of the theater and the audience is seated on all four sides. The actors enter and exit from three access areas between the main seating areas. All the action and activity take place front and center and this makes the audience feel almost part of the show.

This delighted the children in the theater, especially during the lengthy “Chasing Rabbits-Book Report on Peter Rabbit” scene that features Sally and Snoopy chasing imaginary rabbits up into the audience seating, and it concludes the first act.

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is presented in two energy-filled acts that start with a series of small, individual sketches by each character and, of course, is all centered on and about Charlie Brown and a typical day in his life. These small sketches, almost like one-liner jokes, start getting longer and longer and build thematically into larger scenes, the largest of which concludes each of the two acts. Each sketch and vignette introduces the particular personality of each character as the characters relate to Charlie Brown.

Aaron Siler, as Charlie Brown, complete with trademark yellow shirt with zigzag stripe, has imbued his character with all the “Charlie Browniest” persona the lead character deserves. His soliloquy in the “lunchroom” of his school about the perpetual object of Charlie Brown’s heart, the “little red-headed girl,” is every bit as cute as one would hope.

If you ever had an unrequited crush on someone in school and felt like a silly, babbling idiot because you couldn’t even get up the courage to talk to him or her, you’ll love this scene.

JaceSon Barrus and Milette Siler, respectively as Schroeder, the 5-year-old piano virtuoso, and Lucy, the ever-lovable yet aggravating 5-year-old expert in everything, steal quite a few laughs in their times together at center spotlight. They make beautiful music together as Lucy sits atop Schroeder’s baby grand piano and tries to coax his romantic side out with her out-loud day-dreaming during Schroeder’s continual Beethoven concerto.

Charlie Brown’s innocent yet annoying little sister, Sally, is played with obvious enjoyment by Tina Barrus, who looks every bit the part in her pink, polka-dot dress and “naturally curly” blonde wig. Her stand-alone comic triumph is the “Coat Hanger Sculpture” scene, in which she tries to weasel an “A” for effort out of her teacher. Tina’s beautiful smile and wide-eyed starriness interprets Sally perfectly and brought squeals of approval from the children in the audience.

Linus is played by Kyle Adams, a relative newcomer to acting with about 10 shows in community theater to his professional resume. However, a short list of roles only underscores how well-developed his talent has already become. This mild-mannered insurance company computer programmer by day brings out all the multi-syllable, educated pedigree of Linus’ 5-year-old intellectual genius by night. Kyle gives Linus’ ever-present blue blanket a life of its own in the hilarious scene devoted to that subject. Linus’ line “sucking your thumb without a blanket is like eating a cone without the ice cream,” brought roars of laughter from everyone. Joined by all the other cast members for the “Waltz of the Blankets,” the show’s energy gets dialed up a notch for the rest of the first act, with Kyle at the center of it all as Linus, thoroughly enjoying himself.

But the real show-stealer for the evening was Curt Mega playing Snoopy. In the comic strips, Snoopy is the ultimate ham. Preoccupied with food, chasing rabbits, pouncing on people, staring down everyone and, of course, being the World War I flying ace going after the Red Baron, Curt brings an exciting level of enthusiasm, energy and animation to Snoopy’s antics.

I’ve seen at least 16 different productions of this show in many different venues — from off-Broadway, to college, summer stock and community theaters — and Curt’s is by far the most delightful and enthused performance I’ve witnessed. His singing is good and his dancing and physical comedy is great.

Some people might be wondering if a second theater company is necessary for Cleburne or even whether there is a large enough population to support a second company. I would say there is more than enough room because the two troupes have different styles and venues. I love the traditional warmth and intimate ambiance of the Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players’ venue in the upstairs theater at the Layland Museum, and its show selection, actors and presentations have been top-quality community theater.

I also think that a theater-in-the-round production company, such as Plaza, brings a different style and flavor of acting and productions that are essential elements of serious theater. Our children need to be introduced to the full panoply of theatrical cultural offerings and given more local acting opportunities, since acting enhances one’s confidence and ability to engage and appreciate the world.

Having both the Carnegie and Plaza companies in Cleburne will only enrich our community and make Cleburne an attractive alternative to theater-goers who want good, live weekend entertainment and do not want to travel all the way to Dallas, Fort Worth or Granbury to get it.

In all, I consider Plaza’s initial offering a welcome success and highly recommend you treat yourselves and your children of all ages to a delightful, light-hearted show that will bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Plaza Theatre Company’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” will play at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. every Saturday through May 19 at 208 S. Main Street. Parking is behind and adjacent to the location. For ticket information, call the box office at 817-202-0600 or visit www.plaza-theatre.com. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $7 for children for all performances.

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It’s a good show, Plaza Theatre
by By Matt Snider/Special to the Times-Review , , Tue May 01, 2007, 01:23 PM CDT
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