Posted 8/15/01
Local theater production brings Charlie Brown to town Aug. 17-19
The second North Branch Area Community Theatre presentation of the summer of 2001 is fast approaching. Aug. 17-19 are the dates, North Branch High School Auditorium, the place.
Co-producer Melanie Grue recently said sheís watched the cast develop certain characteristics to the characters they play.
Here they are as she describes them, come watch the play and see if sheís correct.
Fletch Helle plays the lovable, but downtrodden Charlie Brown. Helle will be a junior at NBHS in the fall. He has been involved in North Branch area theater for several years. Last winter he played the prince in ìSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs.î
Helle has become a wonderful Charlie Brown, capturing certain looks and movements, while adding certain nuances that are completely his own.
Emily Gjertson plays Sally Brown, Charlie Brownís little sister. This fall she will be a junior at the Perpich Center for Arts Education, an arts-based high school. Gjertson will be studying theater. She claims she is nothing like Sally, but her onstage tantrums are sometimes all too familiar.
Kris McAuliffe brings Lucy Van Pelt to life. This is her first time involved in community theater but she has been involved in North Branch High School productions for several years. One of Lucyís greatest aspirations is to become queen of the world. McAuliffe doesnít shy away from admitting this is one of her hopes too.
Evan Boyce play Linus Van Pelt, Lucyís little brother and Sallyís ìsweet baboo.î Linus is in constant fear of getting slugged by Lucy and of Sallyís devotion.
Linusís trademark pose is thumb in mouth, cuddled up next to his blanket. Boyce has been overheard saying he gets tired of having his thumb in his mouth, but I know his blanket has become more than just a prop. Boyce has been involved in community and North Branch High School theater for quite a while.
John Keating plays the piano prodigy Schroeder. Schroeder has the undying love and admiration of Lucy, which he does not return. Keating played Joseph in NBHSís production of ìJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoatî and has been in NBACT for several years. Keating is going to be a senior at the Perpich Center for Arts Education where he studies dance.
Char Rothler is the quintessential Peppermint Patti. A self-proclaimed tomboy, Rothler could be none other than Patti with her red hair and nonchalant attitude. Rothler is somewhat new to theater, but has been very involved in speech for several years, even acting as captain.
Sara Waldron claims she is nothing like her bookworm character, Marcie. Marcie is Pattiís best friend, which is a strange friendship because while Patti can throw a football just about as good as any professional, Marcie could tell you the history of football - of the history of anything for that matter. Waldron has been involved in North Branch Area Theater for a couple of years.
Last, but certainly not least, is the dog. Of course we couldnít put on a show about Charlie Brown without Snoopy. Matt Born, minus the fuzzy face, represents Snoopy and all he is. Bornís doghouse has become a second home to him. Born has been involved in more of the backstage aspect of North Branch Area Theater, but has been shining brightly as Snoopy, Charlie Brownís strange Beagle.
ìSo, thereís the cast. Theyíre a fun bunch of kids, really they are,î says co-producer Grue. ìThe showís fun, too. Really it is.î
Tickets are on sale right now at Nelsonís Market in North Branch for $6. Theyíll be $7 at the door.
Performances of ìYouíre a Good Man, Charlie Brown,î are 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 17, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 and 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 19.