Lift your spirits with Charlie Brown: A musical full of joy and laughter
Delaney Blackburn, Features and Entertainment Editor
North Greenville University’s “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” aims to bring its audience hope and joy in spite of the challenges surrounding COVID-19.
Photo courtesy of Rebeka Epps.
Director Angela Horn-Barrett said in an interview, “Charlie Brown is a cast of six, so it’s a very small cast … it’s been a huge blessing to be able to help all six of them develop their characters.”
Barrett said the timing of the play was perfect because it brings so much joy, particularly in the midst of the pandemic.
She added, “It kind of taps into the humanity of all of us, and how there’s hope even in the midst of struggles.”
Barrett said the show’s ending makes the audience feel hopeful. She described the performance as moving, funny and relatable.
In addition to lifting its audience up, the musical has brought a sense of reassurance to the cast as well.
Wyatt Duncan, senior theatre major at North Greenville University described working with the cast, “It all just became a big party. We all love to sing; we all love to just goof off and have fun.”
Duncan plays the role of Charlie Brown in the musical, which he said was his first lead role.
Like Barrett, Duncan also said that during the time of COVID-19, a performance like this is very needed.
He said, “A lot of us haven’t done theatre in over a year … we’re trying not to take ourselves too seriously and just enjoy the thing that we all love.”
Although the musical has brought joy and hope to the cast and audience, creating the production didn’t come without its challenges.
Photo courtesy of Rebeka Epps.
Duncan explained the devastation the actors faced when “Brigadoon” was cancelled in the spring 2020 semester after they had put so much hard work into it.
When the actors came back in the fall 2020 semester, they were able to do three productions with heavy COVID-19 protocols.
These protocols are still in place for “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.”
Duncan said the COVID-19 guidelines have been one of the biggest challenges, not only for the performers but the audience as well.
He said the theatre is operating at half-capacity with socially-distanced seating, meaning audience members are not permitted to sit beside each other.
Duncan said for rehearsals, actors had to stay masked, but during live shows they’re currently permitted to not wear masks while on stage.
However, they still have to wear masks when they come off stage. Sanitizing props, dressing rooms, etc. is also required.
Additionally, actors have been asked to not spend much time with people who are not in the show to protect the cast from getting sick.
Duncan added that aside from COVID-19, it’s easy to get sick while doing a play in the wintertime and living on a college campus.
He said that getting sick in general can be a challenge when it comes to singing and protecting his voice.
Photo courtesy of Rebeka Epps.
In addition to COVID-19 guidelines, the show itself was also a bit of a challenge for the cast.
Barret said, “The show itself is different from a normal production. This show is a series of comic strips.”
Barrett explained that there isn’t a typical storyline flow to the musical since it’s all adapted from the original comic strip. She added that it was quite musically challenging as well.
Duncan said the fast-paced nature of the performance was very difficult from an actor’s perspective.
He described the challenge of coming off stage and immediately having to switch gears into the next scene.
Duncan also described the music as “deceptively simple,” since it sounds very lighthearted and fun.
However, the actors have to sing countermelodies, which can make it difficult for the actors to hear their own voices while they’re each singing something different.
Duncan said this will be his final musical at North Greenville University.
He said one of his favorite things about working on this performance was being able to work with their director.
He explained that Barrett was able to work with him on his vocal techniques and strengthen him as a singer.
Duncan added, “Please come and know that we are taking every precaution we can to keep you safe.”
He advises the audience not to take themselves too seriously.
He said that although life can be difficult, the world is also beautifully created by a God who loves us and gives us the ability to share art with each other.
“Enjoy it. Live life and do so with kindness towards other people,” said Duncan.
“You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” will be showing Feb. 25-27 at the Billingsley Theatre. To order tickets for the event, click purchase tickets here, or contact the box office at (864) 977-7085.
