Good grief! 'Charlie Brown' takes center stage at Austin Prep

Few characters can stand the test of time, but Charlie Brown is as loveable today as he was in his comic strip debut 65 years ago.

We all like Charlie Brown,” said Evan Poe, who portrays the title character in Austin Preparatory School’s staging of “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown.”

A senior at the Reading school, Poe, of Medford, said the musical delves into Charlie Brown’s love-hate relationship with Lucy (senior Caitlyn Burns of Billerica) and his unrequited love for the Little Red Headed Girl (sophomore Monica Courtney of Stoneham).

“I really like the songs, and it’s really nice to play someone from my childhood,” he said.

Seventh-grader Mary Hueston of Stoneham has taken part in in Austin Prep’s past productions of ‘Shrek the Musical” and “Cabaret,” but is really looking forward to this year’s musical. She plays Marcie, Peppermint Patty’s faithful sidekick (played by freshman Aingealica Venuto of Billerica).

“I also have grown up really liking Charlie Brown,” Hueston said. “I’ve heard of this musical and I’m really having fun.”

Completing the cast are juniors Francis Cervone of Medford as Schroder, Phillip Dragone of Stoneham as Snoopy, and Marie Lanzilotta of Reading as Sally; sophomores Isabella Totino of Melrose as Violet, and Tyler Walsh of Reading as Pig Pen; freshman Cole Leavis of Wakefield as Linus; and eighth-grader Andrew Jones of Andover as Woodstock.

The shows at Austin Prep, 101Willow St., are Friday, Nov. 20 at 7:00 pm and a family-friendly matinee on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2:00 pm. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Children under age 6 are free.