‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ features Grafton actors

Grab your security blankets and don’t forget to feed the beagle (who may sleep on top of the dog house unless he’s pretending to fight the Red Baron on it) — Apple Tree Arts is bringing a cast of adults and teens to perform “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” on Feb. 7 and 8.

“For our third adult and older teen theatre production, we wanted to stage this heart-warming, fun musical the whole family will enjoy,” said producer and director Matt Mariner.  Joining Mariner as music director, Keri McCarthy brings 10 plus years’ experience as a theatre educator and voice instructor in the greater Worcester theatre arts community to her role. Juliana Kallio and Madie Geoffroy are assisting the directors.

Based upon the “Peanuts” comic strip by Charles Schulz, the musical follows a day in the life of Charlie Brown and his friends, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder and Snoopy.

“The play’s storyline and great music appeals to adults as well as to children,” Mariner added. “It’s interesting for an adult audience to watch adult actors portray children and learn first-hand the ups and downs children experience daily,” he added. 

The musical features several appealing vignettes both adults and children will find relatable.

In one scene, Schroeder, a serious musician tries hard to coordinate a glee club rehearsal but after students argue over a pencil and start calling each other names, he gives up and storms out of the room with everyone. In another poignant vignette, Charlie Brown experiences the highs and lows of writing a school book report that will invoke memories for theatre goers.

Several Grafton residents appear in the production including Pranjali Bajare, Alan Baker,  Brenden Bartlett, Nathaniel Briggs, Caitlin Chouinard, Natasha Ellis, Laura Often and Stephanie Sarkisian, who plays Sally.

The entire cast list includes: Paul Conway as Charlie; Dakota Hinerth as Lucy, Dylan Morin as Schroeder, Stephanie Sarkisian as Sally, Nathaniel Briggs as Linus and Brenden Bartlett as Snoopy. Featured ensemble players include Alan Baker, Laura Often, Jallyssa Ohl and Natasha Ellis. Ensembles members include Ben Jackson, Lizz Hillman, Caitlin Chouinard, Addelyn Esposito, Luke Desautels and Pranjali Bajare.

Creative dramatics manager Mariner has developed successful skill-based and creative theatre programs and private acting lessons for the nonprofit community school of the arts. Working with his theatre arts colleagues, he has directed musicals, workshops and other programs. In addition, he currently serves as guest theatre arts instructor for Touchstone Community School in Grafton and directs plays and musicals for Grafton High School.

Apple Tree Arts presents “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 8, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Great Hall, One Grafton Common in Grafton. Admission is $18 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/u6peg5e or by call ATA’s office 508-839-4286. Seating is limited.