'You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown!' Coming To Cleveland

CLEVELAND — Charlie Brown is one of the most iconic characters in American fiction. In May, theater fans will have a chance to see ol' blockhead in a new way.

Cleveland's Theatre In the Circle group is producing the classic musical "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown!" The twist is this: the entire cast will be composed of actors over 50 years of age.

“It’s a show produced and directed by seniors, starring amazing senior theatre professionals. Casting You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown! with older actors makes the show fresh and adds a new wrinkle or two – pun intended. Wechose this show for its universal appeal and enduring charm to any audience. As the only professional theatre company located in a retirement community anywhere in the United States, presenting You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown! with a mature cast was a no-brainer," said the show's director Mark Corcoran.

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Performances will run May 9-12, with all shows being held at Judson Manor, 1890 E. 107th Street. Tickets are available in advance or at the door ($20 for general admission, $18 for seniors 65 and up, $12 for students).

Here's the schedule for performances:

• Thursday, May 9 7:30 pm
• Friday, May 10 7:30 pm
• Saturday, May 11 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
• Sunday, May 12 2:00 pm

The play explores the age-defying questions of who we are and what we want to do with our lives. As adult actors channel their inner children, Corcoran feels the show will shed much of the contemporary angst of our age.

“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown! offers a welcome respite from the cynicism and divisiveness bombarding us every single day," said Artistic Director Bill Corcoran. "It takes us back to a time of innocence and discovery of what makes us happy. Is it finally getting the attention of the little red-haired girl, is it two kinds of ice cream, or writing your name for the very first time?”

• George Roth (Charlie Brown), known for the films Batman (1989) and The Russia House (1990);
• Christine Howey (Lucy Van Pelt), an actor at Dobama Theatre for over 15 years;
• Agnes Herrmann (Patty), a veteran of Ensemble Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre and Dobama;
• Bob Navis, Jr. (Schroeder), recently retired artistic director of Near West Theatre;
• Noah Budin (Linus), an acclaimed singer, songwriter, recording artist, performer and actor; and
• Kevin Kelly (Snoopy), a well-respected and prolific performer/actor/director last seen at Theatre in the Circle as Mother Superior in Nunsense A-Men!