“Good grief Charlie Brown!” It’s a phrase many people grew up hearing. After all, Charlie Brown is a timeless classic, and Penn State’s No Refund Theatre is bringing this fan-favorite to the stage with its production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” this week.
The musical gets the whole gang back together, so of course, the usual pranks are a staple of the show. The show is a culmination of all of their crazy personalities rolled into one, making for a hilarious production. Lucy is hopelessly in love with the pianist Schroeder. Blanket-toting Linus is ridiculed throughout the play for obsessing over his beloved blankie while Charlie Brown ponders the meaning of life and happiness while attempting to win the affections of the cute little red-headed girl.
The play is directed by Penn State junior Christie Fisher, who has been acting in and directing NRT productions since her freshman year. Though this is only her second time directing, Fisher put together a remarkable performance. But as with any show, there have been a few of hiccups along the way.
“A big problem with this show specifically is that a lot of people know these characters and love these characters,” Fisher said. “So it’s trying to bring them to the stage without it looking tacky or letting down people’s expectations.”
Fisher pulled it all off — the show captures the humor and silliness of the Peanuts we all know and love. No Refund Theatre puts on its rendition of Clark Gesner’s classic musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” at 8 p.m. on Friday and at 2 and 8 p.m. onSaturday in 111 Forum on the University Park campus
