SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Evangel University’s Humanities Department and Theatre Program proudly presents You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
The production will take place in the Barnett Fine Arts Center at Evangel University on April 8-11, with show times at 7 p.m. on April 8-10 with matinees on April 10-11 at 2 p.m. There will be no evening performance on April 11.
The entrance to the Barnett Fine Arts Center is just south of Spence Chapel at 1111 N. Glenstone Ave. in Springfield.
General admission tickets are $10 for all ages with limited, socially distanced seating. Tickets may be purchased conveniently online.
Due to COVID-19 room occupancy protocol, the Evangel theatre seats a maximum of 60. Reserved seats are not available for this production. At the performance, ushers will seat patrons to accommodate safe spacing. Masks are required.
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Synopsis
The production explores what it means to be a good person, prompted by affirmations from Charlie Brown’s friends. These compliments set Charlie Brown on a journey of self-discovery as the audience follows him and his friends through a day of adventure and trials.
The story of the play is told through a series of vignettes that act as the four-panel format used by the original cartoon strip “Peanuts.” With charm, wit, and heart, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown explores life through the eyes of the Peanuts gang.
Musical numbers include “My Blanket and Me,” “The Kite,” “The Baseball Game,” “Little Known Facts,” “Suppertime,” and “Happiness.”
The play spans the months between Valentine’s Day and Beethoven Day, following the characters in their optimism and utter despair. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a crowd-pleasing classic for all age groups.
Behind the Production
The production is directed by Dr. Vickie Wisdom, associate professor of theatre and Lori Lawley, adjunct professor of theatre. It is choreographed by Mrs. Lyra Sprenger, and given technical direction by Pat Bogle.
Clark Gesner created the book, music, and lyrics for You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, with additional dialogue by Michael Mayer and additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa.
Winner of two Tony Awards, five Drama Desk Awards, and an Outer Critics Circle Award, this production’s musing on life’s ironies and delights continues to resonate with audience’s hearts.
Theatre at Evangel
The theatre program at Evangel University is a vibrant offering through the Humanities Department. It is housed in the Barnett Fine Arts Center.
“Our graduates are successful across the country as teachers, managers, actors, playwrights, directors, pastors, programmers, administrators, community builders, MFA graduate students and the list goes on,” said Wisdom.
There are three majors offered to students interested in this area of study at Evangel University.
- The theatre major provides instruction in theatre history, literary appreciation of dramatic literature, dramatic interpretation, and the performance skills demanded of a theatre artist. Theatre majors gain practical experiences in acting, directing, set design and costume design.
- The theatre/speech education degree program brings the stage to life for those passionate about educating students in effective interpretation. The program provides a broad track with exposure to multiple disciplines of informative, dramatic, persuasive and improvisational communication styles. Students may also get practical experience in speech and debate by participating with Evangel’s forensics team.
- The Humanities Department and the Music Department have collaborated to offer a major, combining elements of both theatre and music instruction. Evangel developed the theatre/music program to meet a clear need in professional-theatre and church sectors for well-trained college graduates with a hybrid theatre-and-music background.
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Evangel University, with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), is a comprehensive Christian university committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to serve the Church and society globally. Evangel and AGTS serve more than 2,200 students from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries, offering 70 undergraduate majors and 19 master and doctoral degrees.