It's a Good Gibbons Musical, Charlie Brown

A twist in the upcoming Gibbons Middle School theater production would make Peanuts pianist Schroeder smile.

A live orchestra will accompany the students’ performances of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $8 for children ages 13 and under.

“In the past, we’ve done shows that have CD recordings. This is the first time at Gibbons Middle School that they will have a live orchestra playing with them,” says Director Tania Taylor.

SkyRise Childrens Theater, founded by Zachary and Tania Taylor, is working with the Gibbons school for the third year.

“We really thought that this was a fun show,” Tania Taylor says.

“These kids are younger, like the characters are younger, so they can kind of relate to them. It’s an energetic show, and it’s got fun costumes. It’s got (a) fun story plot.”

The Gibbons students will perform “the revised version” of the musical, in which Charlie Brown’s sister Sally is more of a prominent character,” Taylor says.

“We like this version better because it’s more upbeat than the first version,” she says.

“And we picked this show, too, because it is popular with everybody. Everybody knows Charlie Brown. Everybody enjoys it. And it’s funny.”

Michael Townsend plays Charlie Brown, and “he embodies Charlie Brown to the maximum capacity,” Taylor says.

“He is Charlie Brown. His voice is beautiful. And when he had audition, he just blew us away. He’s really energetic. He also can hold back like Charlie Brown can,” she says.

The audience will enjoy the cast’s energy, Taylor says.

The students are “having so much fun with it,” and are “showing it on the stage,” she says.

“All the songs are exciting and fun, and going to make people want to get up and dance,” Taylor says.

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