The Elkader Opera House Players’ production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” features a cast of six area high school students who will bring Charlie Brown and his friends to life.
Jaren Evans of Starmont plays Charlie Brown, alongside MFL MarMac students Layla Landt as Lucy, Taryn Moser as Sally and Trace Moser as Schroeder, Jesse Polkinghorn of Central Elkader as Snoopy and Gavin Dettbarn of Clayton Ridge as Linus.
The show is directed by David Beck, who’s helming an Opera House Players production for the third time since 2024’s comedy/drama “Arsenic and Lace” and this past spring’s Agatha Christie murder mystery “And Then There Were None.”
Kay Moser is serving as producer.
“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” includes characters from the popular Peanuts comic strip made famous by Charles Schulz. Beck said it plays out like a random comic strip.
“Short vignettes will remind older patrons of the classic Charles Schulz comics where the Peanuts gang live out their lives of everyday problems of flying kites, baseball games gone bad, uncooperative jumpropes and more. The short vignettes are interspersed between large musical numbers in which each character has their time in the lights,” he described. “Songs such as ‘Beethoven Day’ (Schroeder), ‘The Red Baron’ (Snoopy) and ‘Little Known Facts’ (Lucy) bring energy, color and fun to the production. This show is family friendly and the themes are timeless, offering something for young and old alike.”
Beck was previously familiar with the musical, having accompanied for the show at Central Community School about 12 years ago.
“So I knew the music already,” he shared.
The cast has rehearsed since July. The students say the music has been challenging, but hearing their voices and harmonies come together has made the work worthwhile. They have also grown close through rehearsals and cast meals together before practice.
Beck has enjoyed working with the young cast. All but Polkinghorn have stage experience, but even then, “Jesse is a natural talent on the stage,” he noted.
“These experiences show in their confidence and ability to learn blocking, songs and lines quickly. Some have an innate sense of developing a character, which has been a real blessing,” Beck continued. “They have been an excellent group to direct because they all get along very well. A lot of laughter and kidding, but always good progress in practices. I think this shows in the performances.”
Performances of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” are Oct. 3, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale at Elkader Floral and online at operahouse.booktix.com.
