SCOTTSDALE DESERT STAGES THEATRE PRESENTS May 28 – June 6, 2021 DESERT STAGES THEATRE SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA PRESENTS You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Based on The Comic Strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner Additional Dialogue by Michael Mayer Additional Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa Original Direction for this version of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” by Michael Mayer Originally Produced in New York by Arthur Whitelaw and Gene Persson Directed by Meribeth Reeves YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com WELCOME TO DST Welcome to Desert Stages Theatre, and thank you for joining us at this performance of YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN! Mark Friday, May 28, 2021, as the night that live youth theatre returned to Desert Stages Theatre! We are SO happy! It has been more than a year since we saw entire casts of children act- ing, singing, and dancing on this stage. Together with the Desert Stages Board of Directors, I work to make sure DST continues to provide live theatre experiences to actors of ALL ages, but we admit, we do have a soft spot in our hearts for the youth in our community! We promise that YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, is the first of many sweet and successful youth productions that will continue DST’s legacy of high quality, family-oriented, live community theatre. We continue our COVID-19 safety protocols and enhanced cleaning mea- sures to keep you and our actors safe. In return, we ask that you kindly wear your mask the entire time you are in the theatre, and stay in your assigned seat. If you wish to meet with your friends or cast members after the show, please arrange to do so in the food court area of the shopping mall. We’re still social-distancing at Desert Stages. Safety First! Thank you in advance for your cooperation! Thank you again for your support of live theatre and for your attendance at this performance of YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN! Whether you are seeing your 100th show or your first at DST, you are a valued member of the Desert Stages Theatre community, and we ap- preciate you more than you could ever know! Ellen Versen Executive Director DIRECTOR'S LETTER When I was asked to direct You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown for Desert Stages, I found the request both daunting and intriguing. Daunting because though You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is about comic strip children, it is written for adults. The vocal ranges, harmonies and rhythms in the score can be challenging for even the strongest vocalists. The characters, while cartoons, are multi-layered. The actors need to be able to capture the inner monologues of the characters, experiencing their frustrations and joys while reveling in those peaceful moments where the vastness of the universe can feel so overwhelming. I found the request intriguing because I was curious as to how this young cast would find their way. How would we, together, be able to capture the profound simplicity of the characters and still keep it funny and energetic? I found it intriguing because You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a work that speaks to the importance of living in the moment and celebrating the simple things in life (lessons that were laid bare through the pandemic). It made clear the importance of love and family and friends. It also made clear just how many things in the world can be completely beyond our con- trol and we have no choice but to find creative ways to accept them--another concept in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. I was also intrigued because it would be my first opportunity to work with Desert Stages and their first youth production since closing down due to the pandemic. It was won- derful to have a team of collaborators working alongside me as we explored this work together. My first collaborators are the amazing young people you’ll see on the stage tonight. My role as a director is to create the vision and the role of the actor is to bring all their creativity to helping enhance that vision. These young people did just that and they did it with teamwork and friendship and love. The work would not be what it is without Jenn Adams’s music direction, Cydney Trent’s choreography of three of the numbers, Keagan Smith’s focus, Alaina Lish’s incredible bravery and Grace Darling’s organization and communication. Thank you also to Mary Rooney for attacking the props and scenic design with such joy and enthusiasm and for embracing the colorful, yet simplistic settings of the Peanuts cartoon strips. Thanks to Richard (Mickey) Court- ney for these fabulous costumes. The actors shared their character ideas with him and he helped bring them to life. Thank you also to Sharon Jones for her hair and makeup design and Brady Fiscus for lighting them all fantastically, Jason Lynn for making them sound amazing and Ken for helping with Everything! And last, but definitely not least. Thank you to all the wonderful folk at Desert Stages—Ally for her production manage- ment; Linda for her organization, temperature gun and friendly smile; and Ellen for her incredible calm, clear communication and ongoing support. The arts community has been through a very challenging time; but we are rounding the corner. Thank you for coming to the show and supporting theater. Thank you to Desert Stages for allowing me to do what I love—work with fabulous young people and great parents. Meribeth Reeves Director, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown THE CAST Charlie Brown.....................................................................Braiden Lee Lucy...................................................................................Hailey Laidig Sally....................................................................................Emily Anton Snoopy..............................................................................Izzy Herndon Linus................................................................................Cole Blubaum Schroeder.............................................................................Griffin Raia Woodstock.................................................................Ava Seidensticker Ensemble......................................................................Aaron Bernstein Ensemble..........................................................................Jules Gaynor Ensemble....................................................................Bridget Hartstein Ensemble...................................................................Lizzy Hendrickson Ensemble....................................................................Michael Jaramillo Ensemble..........................................................................Reagan Little Ensemble............................................................................Sienna Stoll Ensemble.........................................................................Kate Williams Swing/Dance Captain.............................................................Alaina Lish Swing Performances...........................Sally - Saturday, May 29, 3:00 pm Snoopy - Friday June 4, 7:30 pm Lucy - Saturday June 5, 3:00 pm PRODUCTION STAFF Director.......................................................................Meribeth Reeves Music Director/Accompanist (1st week)........................Jennifer Adams Choreographer.................................................................Cydney Trent Stage Manager................................................................Grace Darling Assistant Stage Manager/Deck Crew..............................Keagan Smith Scenic Designer/Prop Master............................................Mary Rooney Costume Designer.......................................Richard "Mickey" Courtney Wig Designer....................................................................Sharon Jones Lighting Designer...............................................................Brady Fiscus Sound Designer....................................................................Jason Lynn Sound Board Operator.....................................................Kenseye Fort Accompanist (2nd week)..........................................................Eric Fish DST THEATRE STAFF Executive Director..............................................................Ellen Versen Production Manager..........................................................Ally Baumlin Associate Artistic Advisor......................................Lisa Barton Figueroa Box Offi ce Manager...........................................................Linda Barton Box Offi ce Staff...................Diana Gallegos, Michael Lev, Karen Rhoads Graphic Designer/Webmaster............................................Dina Osinski Theatre Rentals....................................................................Bill Watson DST BOARD OF DIRECTORS President.............................................................................Bill Watson Vice President.......................................................................Mike Arko Secretary.........................................................................Sharon Kiepke Treasurer................................................................................Rich Rose Member.............................................................................Lynnae Clore Member................................................................................Walter Hall Member........................................................................Dawn