The Gang's all here!

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

Just in time for Pumpkin Festival season the Quick as a Wink Theatre Society is poised to roll out the turkey and entertainment once again with a musical production synonymous with Thanksgiving.

The only difference this year is the cast, made up entirely of the underage set. Who better, says director Michelle Herx, to portray the irrepressible Peanut characters in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.

“We looked at including some adults, but it really didn't fit the theme,” she said. “The show is about children and this cast does a fantastic job.”

The energy of youth, she said, is hard to duplicate. “I chose young people because of their energy level and their ability to memorize lines so quickly.”

The boisterous young cast was so excited to adapt the popular cartoon and seasonal television special they began rehearsals for the musical six weeks early, in mid-July. “They were just so enthusiast and so eager to get this show started,” Herx said.

In the process, the cast has been figuring out what makes the classic Peanuts gang tick.

Charlie himself will be portrayed by Kevin Barnes, who says, despite Brown’s show of sincerity and honesty, “is just another kid.”

Jasmine Hare is looking forward to being a bit bratty for this production as Charlie Browns nemesis, Lucy. “It's lots of fun to be mean for a change,” she said. “I've always had to play the nice girl.” Hare admits, however, Lucy does have a soft side. Especially when it comes to her love interest Schroeder, played by Philip Gnemmi, who is more interested in his grand piano.

Alex Hare has been cast as the thumb sucking, blanket-wielding Linus, Lucy's brother and Charlie's main man. Hare says his character is more than a little peculiar. “He's a bit odd and sucks his thumb a lot, but he's really an intellectual; he’s the smart one.” It will be revealed during the production just why Linus is so attached to his thumb.

And where would Peanuts be without Snoopy? For the first time, the iconic animal has a voice. In fact, “Snoopy will have some speaking parts,” says Michael Gnemmi. “Most of the time he's just talking to himself, but the audience will finally get to hear what he's saying.”

Snoopy will sing and dance and, of course, hang out with Woodstock, who will also share the stage.

The voice of reason, as always, is Charlie's younger sister Sally, portrayed by Kerri Beasley.

While the audience is treated to a full-fledged turkey dinner, cast members will recite from the more seasonal, “It's the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

All the favourite Peanut characters will take the stage Oct. 3 to 4 and Oct. 10 and 11. It’s time for young and old alike to find out if Charlie Brown is indeed a good man after all.