Theater Review: "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown' at Legacy Theatre

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

The Legacy Theatre in Stony Creek continues their busy 2022 season with a fun production of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.” This show that is appropriate for both children and adults runs through Sept. 3.

The musical is based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by the late Charles M. Schultz. Clark Gesner wrote the book, music and lyrics for this show. The beloved characters are brought to life by adult actors dressed in the iconic outfits, with costumes designed by Elizabeth Bolster. The clever scenic and lighting design was done by Jamie Burnett, who has worked with Elm Shakespeare Company and Sacred Heart University.

The script tells the story of an average day in the life of the title character and Legacy presents the two acts with one 15-minute intermission. Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang explore life's great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes, and celebrate the joy of friendship.

This revue of songs and vignettes has plenty of charm, wit, and heart, and includes “My Blanket and Me,” “"The Kite,” “The Baseball Game,” “Little Known Facts,” “Suppertime,” “Happiness,” and the title song.

There is not a weak link in this ensemble cast. All six of the talented performers fully embrace their respective characters and bring smiles to the faces of those in the audience old enough to remember the original comic strip. That they all manage to keep track of a long list of props is rather impressive., although many are color-coded to match their outfits. The “blanket ballet” is so much fun, as is much of the demanding physical comedy required of the six performers.

Cory Candelet, who grew up in Mystic, Connecticut, plays the role of Beethovan’s biggest fan, Schroeder. The young actor, who is a graduate of the AMDA NY, is a delight in the role, especially when he sits behind the keys on his blue piano.

Dan Frye, a Branford local who first appeared on community stages in 2008, brings to life Charlie Brown’s dog Snoopy in his first Legacy Theatre appearance. We know that he is a human playing a dog in a cap with ears, but he manages to bring out enough canine qualities to take this well-known beagle to the stage. Sophie Rapiejko makes her Legacy debut in her dream role of Sally Brown and is a bundle of adorable energy in the role. In her program bio, she adds a thank you to every teacher that she has ever had - “without whom I’d truly know nothing.”

Olivia Hoffman gives her all to the role of Lucy Van Pelt, making the most of her more strident lines and lyrics, bringing Lucy’s crabbiness to a delightfully high level. Hoffman appeared at Goodspeed in “Oklahoma!” Clayton Matthews makes his Legacy Theatre debut in the role of the blanket-welding Linus Van Pelt. A native of Philly, he has mastered a long list of musical instruments and is quite adorable as Lucy’s little brother.

Equity actor Chris Lemieux has the perfect singing voice for the role of Charlie Brown in his return to the Legacy stage. Lemieux directs productions for Branford Parks and Recreation Shoreline Theatre Company. His next directorial project with this group will be the Harry Potter parody “Puffs” in the fall, and he will also return to Legacy to reprise his roles in “A Christmas Carol.”

Artistic Director Keely Baisden Knudsen directed the production, with Cathyann Roding as the music director and adorable choreography by Chelsea Dacey (“The Tales of Custard the Dragon” at Legacy.). The Schultz-inspired projections were designed by Matt Kizer Design, LLC.

The important role of master carpenter was played by Rick Burkam, who has worked with Elm Shakespeare Company. He built the sturdy dog house large enough to safely hold the actor playing Snoopy.

There were a few young patrons at the matinee that I attended that seemed to enjoy the performance. There is jazz music that plays before the performance begins.

Head to Legacy Theatre for a fun musical for the whole family. “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” runs Thursdays - Saturdays, through Sept. 3 at Legacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Island Rd. in Branford.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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