The Pursuit of "Happiness"

 

"Happiness" is coming to Brookfield Theatre:

"You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown"
opens Feb. 9th!
CB_banner

Based on The Comic Strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz

Book, Music & Lyrics by Clark Gesner
Additional Dialogue by Michael Mayer
Additional Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa

February 9–24, 2024

Directed by Sharon Suchecki
Musical Director Sarah Fox
Choreographer Faith Fernandes

Free preview for seniors Thurs., Feb 8 at 8PM

bt-cb-cast 
Left to right: Laura Majidian (Lucy), Eliana Russotti (Linus), Amanda Friedman (Snoopy), Rob Bassett (Charlie Brown), Jami Valzania (Schroeder), and Bella Delgado (Sally) rehearse a scene from "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" at Brookfield Theatre (photo Anna Suchecki)

"Charlie Brown" is the perfect show to start Brookfield's 2024 season with for so many reasons! Our first read through was on Beethoven's birthday (iykyk) and performances will occur around Valentine's Day. The show's signature song "Happiness" is a reminder of all the joy and goodness around us in the midst of the coldest time of year. It is also a show that includes everyone, after all, "Happiness is anyone and anything at all that's loved by you!" With all of our daily troubles both personal and global, there is no better time to appreciate the miracles that surround us whether it is a special someone, or an accomplishment or goal, or just simply two kinds of ice cream and just the right pencil.

"You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (revised)" is a musical based on the beloved comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles M. Schulz. With book, music, and lyrics by Clark Gesner, it has been updated with additional dialogue by Michael Mayer (director of the revival) with additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa ("The Addams Family", "The Wild Party"). The show is presented as a revue of songs and vignettes which have relevance across the spectrum for all people and at any stage in life. Musical numbers include "My Blanket and Me", "The Kite", "The Baseball Game", "Little Known Facts", "Suppertime", and the show's signature song "Happiness".
 
The Brookfield production is directed by Sharon Suchecki who envisions the characters as children at play, unobserved and free to dream, dividing their time between school, home, and the magical realm of childhood. The musical director is Sarah Fox ("Urinetown") with choreography by Faith Fernandes ("title of show"). It stars Rob Bassett ("title of show", "Rent"), Laura Majidian ("tick, tick...BOOM", "Urinetown"), Eliana Russotti ("Spring Awakening"), Jami Valzania  ("American Idiot", "title of show", "Urinetown"), Amanda Friedman ("The Revolutionists"), and Bella Delgado.
 
Show dates are on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. from February 9 to 24. Regular ticket prices are $25 per ticket with a discount for students and seniors of $20 each. Group tickets are available by contacting the theatre. There is a free preview for area senior citizens on Thursday, February 8 at 8 p.m. More information and tickets are on the theatre's web site at www.BrookfieldTheatre.org or follow the link below:
 

TICKETS

 

Brookfield Theatre's 2024 Season is made possible with the support of the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Arts; Support has also been provided to Brookield Theatre from CT Humanities (CTH), with funding provided by the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) from the Connecticut State Legislature; Along with the generous donations of our many supporters and subscribers.
 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" (revised)

Image
Wow, it’s so exciting to be the title character in this super fun musical!  Hold on, it says "revised" - it's still about Charlie Brown, right?      It’s still about ALL the "Peanuts" gang. As a matter of fact, some people would say that Lucy is the main character of the show, certainly ONE of the main characters if the not THE main character,  at least, that’s what some people would say.     The show premiered in 1967, based on the comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles M. Schulz with book, music, and lyrics by Clark Gesner. It was much loved at the time and is still performed.  There was a 1999 revival of the show featuring new dialogue by Michael Mayer, who also directed,  and additional songs and orchestration written by Andrew Lippa. In this revival, the character of Patty was replaced with Sally Brown, inspired by the same change Schulz made in the animated TV adaptation. I like it!     Andrew Lippa is one of my favorite musical theatre composers. 
Read more

Know Thyself

Image
  ( Rob Bassett as Charlie Brown and Laura Majidian as Lucy in "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" at Brookfield Theatre - on stage Feb. 9 to 24, 2024 - photo by Stephen Cihanek Along with the signature song "Happiness" that recalls the simple things that bring joy each day, "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" and the Peanuts cartoons have messages that resonate with all people. Whether it is Schroeder advising Lucy to "know thyself" or Lucy advising Charlie Brown for self-awareness or Linus extolling the values in searching for personal happiness or Sally Brown advocating for herself, the positive messages are simple and straight forward, easily understood by old and young alike. " There are no big answers; there are only small answers in the now, such as the joys of food and friendship." This article from the BBC discusses the philosophy behind the cartoon and the characters: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20181112-good-gri
Read more