SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — Energetic choreography, plenty of laughs and an oversized set to depict child-sized characters are just a few things audience members can expect from Abington Heights High School’s production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown: The Musical.”
The play, which is based on Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip “Peanuts,” will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5 in the high school auditorium. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door at $10 for adults and $6 for students.
According to Stage Manager Katie Lingle, a senior, the cast members are doing an excellent job during rehearsals.
“I think their acting skills have improved and their singing has gone from good to amazing since the first day of practice,” she said. “The characters have gone from flittering minds to solid rocks. They know what they’re doing.”
Sammi Shea, choreographer and dance director, agrees.
“They are doing really wonderfully,” said the 2014 Abington graduate. “I give them a lot of hard choreography and difficult work and they are really taking on the challenge.”
She added it’s fun to walk in to rehearsal and see the excitement among the cast members and the effort they put into their characters.
One actress, Emily Fazio, who plays Lucy, said the best aspect of being a part of the production is the friendships formed with the rest of the cast and crew, which is like a big family to her.
Fazio described her character as “sassy” and “a girl who knows what she wants.”
“She has a soft side, but also a hard shell,” she said.
Mariana Winters, who portrays Woodstock, said of her character, “I love being a bird, and the fact that I don’t talk at all – it’s all through body movements and facial expressions.”
The senior said she enjoys the musical because it is for all ages and can mean different things to different people. For the children, it’s about the fun and laughter. And for the adults, there are deep philosophical meanings and life lessons to be learned.