Charlie Brown Happiness :D

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a stage musical adaptation of the popular comic strip Peanuts by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. It’s a live version of the comic strip acted and sometimes sung by Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and friends.

Honestly, we are not too familiar with the characters and we did not grow up reading this American comic strip. But we enjoyed the musical because it is colorful, feel-good, and happy. 🙂

The cast is solid, featuring theater veterans who obviously enjoy being in the show.

One thing though, it assumes that the audience knows the nuances and habits of the characters, so having some background info on each one would maximize your satisfaction in watching the musical.

Here’s a rundown of the different characters, the actors who portrayed them, and what you need to know about them…

1. Robbie Guevara as Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown is a lovable loser who enjoys the simple things in life.

Who is Charlie Brown?

“Charlie Brown and his creator are both the sons of barbers, but whereas Schulz’s work is described as the ‘most shining example of the American success story’, Charlie Brown is an example of ‘the great American un-success story’ in that he fails in almost everything he does.” (source: Wikipedia | Charlie Brown)

Robbie’s Idea of Happiness:
“Getting along, eating good food, and being with the one/s you love.“

(Photo by Raul Victor Montesa)

I love this part where Lucy asks Charlie Brown about how crabby she is.

 

2. Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Lucy

Lucy is a cranky bully who is in love with Schroeder.

Who is Lucy van Pelt?

“She is the main bully and the older sister of Linus and Rerun. Lucy is a crabby and cynical eight-year old girl…and often bullies the other characters in the strip, particularly Linus and Charlie Brown.” (source: Wikipedia | Lucy van Pelt)

 Carla’s Idea of Happiness:
“Happiness is being with my family and knowing that I am loved.“
(Photo by Raul Victor Montesa)

This part was perfect for the love month, where Lucy expresses her admiration for Schroeder, who purposely ignores her. Carla never fails to embody her roles and have fun with them. 🙂

 

3. Tonipet Gaba as Schroeder

Schroeder is a talented musician and the object of Lucy’s affection.

Who is Schroeder?

“He is distinguished by his precocious skill at playing the toy piano, as well as by his love of classical music and the composer Ludwig van Beethoven in particular.” (source: Wikipedia | Schroeder)

Tonipet’s Idea of Happiness: 
“Waking up and doing nothing. Absolutely nothing.“

(Photo by Raul Victor Montesa)

I didn’t like Charlie Brown’s baseball team sequence that much. Although the scene is often featured in the comic strip, I just couldn’t relate to it.

 

4. Franco Laurel as Linus

Linus is the smart young boy who always needs his security blanket.

 Who is Linus van Pelt?

“The best friend of Charlie Brown, Linus is also the younger brother of Lucy van Pelt… Though young, Linus is unusually smart,…and he acts as the strip’s philosopher and theologian,…often quoting the Gospels.” (source: Wikipedia | Linus van Pelt)

Franco’s Idea of Happiness:
“Happiness is being with my wife and children. Spending time with my family. Doing the things that I love like singing, acting, performing and eating.“

(Photo by Raul Victor Montesa)

The entire cast performs The Book Report on Peter Rabbit to end Act I.

 

5. Sweet Plantado-Tiongson as Sally

Sally is the younger, happy-go-lucky sister of Charlie Brown.

Who is Sally Brown?

“Sally has blonde hair with curly bangs and sometimes a bow in front, and she wears a polka dot dress, usually pink or light blue. She has a ‘take it easy’ approach to life, preferring to slide by while doing as little work as possible.

Sally also frequently developed ‘new philosophies’ on life, which were typically short sayings or phrases with little or no philosophical value…” (source: Wikipedia | Sally Brown)

Sweet’s Idea of Happiness: “Family”
(Photo by Raul Victor Montesa)

Sally and Snoopy’s performances were hilarious! There’s no dull moment when they’re performing their short skits.

 

6. Lorenz Martinez as Snoopy

A very popular dog who dreams of becoming a World War I Flying Ace. 🙂

Who is Snoopy?

“He is Charlie Brown’s pet dog. Snoopy began his life in the strip as a fairly conventional dog, but eventually evolved into perhaps the strip’s most dynamic character—and among the most recognizable comic characters in the world.” (source: Wikipedia | Snoopy)

Lorenz’s Idea of Happiness:
“Happiness for me is being with my children and my wife.“

(Photo by Raul Victor Montesa)

You’ve got to watch Snoopy’s solo, glorifying Suppertime with a very dynamic performance. 🙂

 

(Photo by Raul Victor Montesa)

Overall, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown  is a heartwarming play that delivers the simple message of finding happiness in all our blessings in life. We absolutely love the cast, with each actor able to perform his or her “kiddie role” without patronizing the character.

(Photo by Raul Victor Montesa)

Some of the scenes are a bit mababaw, and sometimes I don’t get the American humor of the skits. It’s like a Bulagaan musical without the pie-throwing to elicit laughter. 🙂

The show ends with the Happiness song. Imagine the exact same video and adapt it on stage.

This musical is for the fans of Charlie Brown and those who want to watch a happy show and feel like kids again. 🙂

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN
An outrageously funny and heartwarming musical fit for the entire family that will keep audiences laughing on the edge of their seats.
Show Dates: February 11 to March 3, 2012
Show Time: Friday shows at 8pm, Saturday at 330pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 330pm.
Venue: Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza Makati.

For tickets and other inquiries, 
Telephone: +632 557-5860, 586-7105
Mobile: +63917- 5545560
Email: info@9workstheatrical.com

Live an Awesome Life,

 
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Contact me: anton@diaz.ph 

Full Disclosure: We got complimentary tickets to the press night show from the producers of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.