Local talent brings Peanuts gang to life

BAC Stage Kids presents "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," opening Friday at Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St., Carson City.

"This show is based on the Charles Schultz comic strip characters and has been brought to the stage in order to bring the nostalgia of the strips to life," said Hall DuBiel, the show's choreographer. "The revival version was released in 1999 and there is a lot of dance and music mixed with humor."

Some of the characters not usually seen, such as Woodstock and Pig Pen, have been added in order to give more children an opportunity to act. The show was also double cast, with a younger and older group of children.

"It gives the kids more chances to do everything, and setting it up this way allows them to play relatively equally off one another," Dubiel said. "Plus it gives us understudies so we're always ready to go."

There are 36 children taking part in the show, ranging in age from 6 to 16, with some being well-versed in theater and others on stage for the first time.

"The greatest challenge for me has been remembering who is in what cast," Dubiel said. "We do group rehearsals with all the kids and I have loved watching the interaction between the different ages.

"This is a great way for them to learn from one another in a setting where they really don't know they're learning."

Machon Douglas is the scene coach and Bri Valley is music director for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." DuBiel has participated in many BAC productions through the years.

"Taking on a project like this is a huge time commitment," Dubiel said. "I was inspired at a young age and thought, I could do this," he said. "I began taking classes in high school. Developed a passion for it and now I am able to give it back.

"BAC Stage Kids gives the children a place to go where they can experience the arts and discover another part of themselves."

Even though the schedule is rigorous, the children are told that education matters, school comes first and in a way, teaches them about priorities, Dubiel said.

"We try to build that message about respecting school into this," he said.

Audiences for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," will experience BAC Stage Kids' interpretation of Shultz's sense of humor and will also see local, talented young actors.

"Schultz is timeless and everyone - even the young kids - get it," he said. "This is a performance the whole family can enjoy."

Join Charlie, Lucy, Snoopy and the entire gang for a delightful glimpse into all of the little things that make up a day in the life of Charlie Brown.

Performances take are 7 p.m. Nov. 12, 13, 19 and 20 and 2 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 20 and 21.

Tickets cost $9 for general admission and $6 for students, seniors and BAC members, available at www.

breweryarts.org.

Call 775-883-1976 for more information.