Since last year, I’ve been playing
Snoopy’s Trade Fair in my iPhone (the same
beeline offline game that produced “
The Smurf’s Village” which I got obsessed at one point). That’s why when I got excited when I found out from fellow Blogger
Ruth Floresca that 9 Works theatrical will be showcasing “
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown“.
I’ve been a fan of Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang way back in my elementary days. Although I love Garfield more, I secretly read Snoopy’s comics and draw them alongside Garfield.
Here’s an info I found at Wikipedia to give you an idea how popular Snoopy, Charlie Brown and his friends are:
Peanuts is a syndicated daily and Sunday American comic strip written and illustrated by
Charles M. Schulz, which ran from October 2, 1950, to February 13, 2000, continuing in reruns afterward. The strip is the most popular and influential in the history of the comic strip, with 17,897 strips published in all,
making it “arguably the longest story ever told by one human being”, according to Professor Robert Thompson of Syracuse University. At its peak,
Peanuts ran in over 2,600 newspapers, with a readership of 355 million in 75 countries, and was translated into 21 languages. It helped to cement the four-panel gag strip as the standard in the United States, and together with its merchandise earned Schulz more than $1 billion. Reprints of the strip are still syndicated and run in almost every U.S. newspaper.
Peanuts achieved extreme success for its television specials, several of which, including A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown won or were nominated for Emmy Awards. The holiday specials remain quite popular and are currently broadcast on ABC in the United States during the corresponding season. The property is also a landmark in theatre with the stage musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown being an extremely successful and often-performed production.
It has been described as “the most shining example of the American success story in the comic strip field,” ironically based on the theme of “the great American unsuccess story,” since the main character, Charlie Brown, is meek, nervous and lacks self-confidence, being unable to fly a kite, win a baseball game or kick a football.
And here’s the information on 9 Works Theatrical’s “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”:
There are many ways by which man defines his or her pursuit of happiness. Spending time with family and loved ones is one. Hanging out with friends is another. But for Charlie Brown, his dog Snoopy, his lil’ sister Sally, and their friends Lucy, Linus and Schroeder, happiness may be as simple as “finding a pencil,” “pizza with sausage,” or “telling the time.”
This coming February 2012, 9 Works Theatrical, one of today’s most exciting theater companies, takes you back to those good ol’ days when baseball games, book reports, kite-flying and glee club rehearsals were all the craze as it brings to life the timeless characters from Charles M. Schulz’ popular comic strip “PEANUTS” via the Tony award-winning musical,
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN.
Charlie Brown can’t seem to win the heart of the elusive Little Red-Haired Girl, nor his friend Lucy, a bossy, crabby little tyrant who dispenses “Little Known Facts” and is convinced that she could be Queen someday. Lucy’s all-time crush is the sensitive piano-playing Schroeder who is an admirer of Beethoven. Meanwhile, Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s wise-cracking yet lovable dog, and Linus, Charlie Brown’s blanket-toting best friend, daydream all day as their friends battle with kites, school, and for Sally, Charlie Brown’s lil’ sis, getting a “D” in last week’s homework.
Told through a series of recognizable vignettes inspired by Schulz’s comic strips, the musical looks into an average day in the life of Charlie Brown and draws from the richness and universality of his everyday situations – making it the perfect family musical that will surely resonate with audiences young and old.
Playing the role of Charlie Brown is 9 Works Theatrical’s Artistic Director
Robbie Guevara who was recently seen onstage as Uncle Max in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. As an actor, he appeared in MISS SAIGON MANILA, Asian & UK Tour, MAN OF LA MANCHA, I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT NOW CHANGE, SWEENEY TODD, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, FOOTLOOSE, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and DISNEY”S CINDRELLA and MULAN, just to name a few. He is also an established director for the stage.
One of the country’s most versatile performing artists,
Carla Guevara-Laforteza will be playing the role of the bossy and crabby Lucy. Carla was recently seen as Maureen Johnson in 9 Works Theatrical’s production of RENT, as well as having played the Sour Kangaroo in SEUSSICAL and Sister Berthe in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Carla was also part of the MISS SAIGON London Cast 1995-1997 as Kim/Gigi understudy and has played lead roles in THE BAKER’S WIFE, TAMING OF THE SHREW, THE KING AND I, SOUTH PACIFIC, AVENUE Q, and SPELLING BEE, among many others. She is under the management of Johnny Manahan of Star Magic.
Playing the role of Charlie Brown’s lovable dog Snoopy is
Lorenz Martinez whose last appearance onstage was as Benny in 9 Works Theatrical’s RENT, as well as Herr Zeller in SOUND OF MUSIC. Other acting credits include Rogers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA Asian Tour, HONG KONG DISNEYLAND, CAMELOT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and the Netherlands production of MISS SAIGON, being the youngest to perform the role of the Engineer.
Appearing in his first 9 Works Theatrical musical is singer-actor and TV personality
Franco Laurel who will be playing the role of the blanket-toting Linus. A former host of EEZY DANCING and KEEP ON DANCING, he has since found his true calling in theater, appearing as the younger brother of Rama in RAMA AT SITA, Ugly in Trumpets’ HONK, THE UGLY DUCKLING, and starring roles in ST. LOUIS LOVES DEM FILIPINOS, JOSEPH THE DREAMER, and Rep’s SWEENEY TODD, among others.
Returning to the stage after a very long acting sabbatical are veteran actors Tonipet Gaba and Sweet Plantado-Tiongson – who join Robbie, Carla, Franco and Lorenz in bringing to life this timeless classic.
Touted as GMA 7’s resident “Kuya” and foodie,
Tonipet Gaba, is a highly successful and multi-awarded TV host whose credits include ART ANGEL, SABADABADOG, TARA LET’S EAT and GMA NEWS TV’s POP TALK. A 3-time Star Awards winner for Best Children’s show host, Tonipet’s stage credits include lead roles in KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, BLOOD BROTHERS, OLIVER, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and THE LITTLE MERMAID. For this production, he will be playing the sensitive piano-playing Schroeder.
Playing Charlie Brown’s younger sister Sally is
Sweet Plantado-Tiongson who was the Musical Director for Vocals in 9 Works Theatrical’s SWEET CHARITY. Sweet is a performing-recording artist who is part of the Philippine premier vocal group, THE CompanY. Her stage credits include lead roles in THE LITTLE MERMAID, HONK! THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, JOSEPH THE DREAMER, and N.O.A.H, among many others.
Also returning to the stage is 9 Works Theatrical’s Marketing and PR Director Toff de Venecia who was last seen as Hong/Yao in REP’s MULAN JR. His other acting credits include EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES as Mr. Sew and Disney’s ALADDIN JR. as Iago. He also appeared as Stripe in Ateneo Blue Repertory’s HOPE FOR THE FLOWERS, Pan in BATBOY and a Thespian in the Asian premiere of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. He will be playing the role of Linus at certain performances.
For this production, 9 Works Theatrical has invited veteran actor Michael Williams to helm the show as its esteemed director. Michael has had numerous directorial credits with Repertory Philippines and other theater companies, which include SWEENEY TODD, PROPOSALS, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN, LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE, and with his own theater company, Theater Down South. He is thrilled to be working with 9 Works Theatrical for the first time.
The Artistic Team is led by Michael Williams (Director), Toff de Venecia (Assistant Director), Joseph Tolentino (Musical Director – Instrumentation), Sweet Plantado (Musical Director – Vocals), Deana Aquino (Choreographer), Mio Infante (Scenographer), Martin Esteva (Lighting Designer), Chuck Ledesma (Sound Designer), Mio Infante and Twinkle Zamora (Costume Designers), Richard Lazaro (Photographer), and Larry Palma (Graphic Designer).
The Production Team is led by Santi Santamaria (Executive Producer), Anna Santamaria (Company Manager), Toff de Venecia (Marketing and PR Director), Jonjon Martin (PR Manager), Carlos Canlas (HR Manager), Pamela Imperial (Production Manager), and Jojo Amboy (Stage Manager).
Based on the Comic Strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz, with Book, Music, and Lyrics by Charles Gesner, Additional Dialogue by Michael Mayer, Additional Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa, Original Direction by Michael Mayer, and originally produced in New York by Arthur Whitelaw and Gene Persson,
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN is an outrageously funny and heartwarming musical fit for the entire family and will keep audiences laughing at the edge of their seats.
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN will be shown from
February 11 to March 3, 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza Makati. Friday shows at 8pm, Saturday shows at 330pm and 8pm, and Sunday shows at 330pm.
A limited number of performances are NOW available for fundraising and block-buying. For tickets and other inquiries, please call 557-5860, 586-7105 or 0917-5545560 or email [email protected] for inquiries.
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN is presented by 9 Works Theatrical, in cooperation with The Rockwell Club, Café Mediterranean, Make Up For Ever and its proud media partners – The Philippine Star, Business World, HerWord.Com, The Manila Bulletin, Sense&Style, Chalk Magazine, and Focus Media Audiovisuals.
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN is produced by arrangement with, and the music and dialogue material furnished by TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC., 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
