You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Unites Community

Written by Lynne Malandrino

As a child of the 60s, all Charlie Brown cartoons were a staple of my yearly TV viewing experience.  Halloween wasn’t Halloween without the Great Pumpkin rising out of the pumpkin patch, even if it was just Snoopy playing a joke on Linus.  Likewise, what was Christmas without the true meaning that it doesn’t come from a store?… Charlie Brown was created as a cartoon character in 1950 by Charles M. Schultz, but in this ever-changing world, the Peanuts crew still resonates with children of all ages after almost 75 years!

RAA Puts Unique Twist on Musical

The Roxbury Arts Alliance is presenting the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown on two consecutive weekends from May 10th to May 18, 2025. But it is HOW they are presenting it that is unique.

Producer Darlene Yannetta and director Russ Crespolini crafted the show’s auditions with maximum outreach to the community. They have cast three sets of actors–the Peanuts, the Weenuts, and the 3Nuts–meaning adults, teens, and children. Each cast works with the other two casts in this reciprocal intertwining of talent. The teens may be the children when the adults are adults, or the teens may be the adults when the children are children.

All Casts Demonstrate Ultimate Dedication

This unique casting provided a mutually beneficial experience for all involved. It wasn’t just acting or singing or dancing. It was mentoring and learning from others and perfecting performances. “The arts are so very important to our lives,” said Yannetta. “Involvement in theater, for all ages, provides us the ability to be creative without judgment.”  The cast and crew function as a team, strengthened by trust, responsibility, and respect. Yannetta believes that some of the younger cast members definitely saw the older members of the cast as mentors, but the reverse was also very true.

A Welcoming for All Types of Audience Members

Another addition to the performance lineup is the sensory performance that the RAA will host on Sunday, May 18th at 2:00 PM. This “sensory-friendly performance” is designed to accommodate individuals with sensory sensitivities, such as those on the autism spectrum or those with other sensory-processing differences. Adjustments will be made to lighting, sound, and other sensory elements to create a more comfortable and accessible experience for everyone. “Everyone is invited to attend this performance in this sensory-friendly environment,” said RAA Publicity Liason Lisa Church. This event will relax the typical theater rules by presenting a 30-minute introduction from the director and cast, house lights will only be dimmed slightly to allow audience members to easily move around the theater. Other features will include reduced sound levels throughout the show, a designated quiet space should anyone need a break from the show, and a limited audience with open seating to allow space between families. Of course, the RAA’s general seating rules still apply, so select your preferred seats.

Theater Teaches Life Lessons

Being part of a theatrical production, whether in the audience or on stage, supports youth, adults, and even those individuals with developmental challenges. There are so many reasons to encourage interest in the arts. “It is not just putting on a show. It is education regarding the craft of theater and how this experience relates to life lessons,” said Yannetta. “Creating a teamwork atmosphere, promoting respect, discipline, responsibility, being non-judgmental, and, above all, having a great time creating something special is something that everyone involved will always remember.”

What Charlie Brown Teaches Us

Children from many generations learned key life lessons from one little cartoon boy with a yellow shirt and weirdly shaped head. Charlie Brown teaches us how to face fears and take risks. He teaches us the benefits of persistence and determination, and the values of self-worth and self-acceptance. But above all, Charlie Brown teaches us to do what you love to do, regardless of the outcome. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown will showcase what the cast and crew members love to do, and Roxbury Arts Alliance is confident the audience will experience the same.

Find information about performance dates and purchase tickets on our events page by clicking here.

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams Witmark LLC www.concordtheatricals.com