Review: Granite's YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN Brings the Peanuts Gang to South County

"RATS!" "Good grief!" "Aaugh!" "I can't stand it!"

Certain catchphrases indelibly embed themselves in the national consciousness, and these comically frustrated exclamations of dismay are instantly recognizable as the distinct linguistic wails of Charles M. Schultz's Peanuts gang. A "good grief!" or two will ring out in Westerly this month as the Granite Theatre welcomes the smash musical hit You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown to its stage.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown first bowed off-Broadway in 1967. Since then, professional productions (including the award-winning 1999 revival on Broadway) and community presentations alike have charmed audiences with a live-action look into the life of good ol' Charlie Brown and his friends. The stage show features upbeat, catchy musical numbers by Clark Gesner and the perennial wit and wisdom that makes Schultz's characters relatable to audiences of every generation.

The book and lyrics of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown cleverly interpret Schultz's characters for the stage. Each musical number spotlights a Peanuts personality, from Linus' dependence on his iconic blue security blanket ("My Blanket and Me") to Schroeder's obsession with sonatas and symphonies ("Beethoven Day") to Sally Brown's charmingly lackadaisical approach to life ("My New Philosophy"), and short vignettes woven between the songs bring Schultz's comic strip scenarios brilliantly to life.

Though You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown would seem a straightforward, even "easy," musical to produce, this very impression of simplicity poses special challenges to a cast and creative team. For the show to truly sing, the company must render the script's snappy wordplay clearly and with impeccable timing, and each performer must embrace the cartoon origins of his or her character while avoiding a "cartoonish" portrayal.

The Granite's staging, under the direction of Beth Jepson, has its highs and lows in these key areas. Whether from a case of opening-night jitters or distraction due to technical difficulties (repeated bursts of static feedback from the speaker system), cast members struggled with pacing during the first scenes of the press performance, rushing through punchlines without necessary pauses and exaggerating their elementary school personas with overzealous eye batting and broad gesturing.

Though some of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown's songs are deliberately written and performed off-key (Lucy's hilarious rendition of "Schroeder" being a prime example), several cast members wrestled with the on-key measures as well. Midway through the first act, however, the company hit its stride and settled in, getting through the rest of the show on a stronger, more confident note. Group musical numbers - "Beethoven Day," "The Book Report" "T.E.A.M.," "Glee Club Rehearsal," and "Happiness" - all played well and with good energy.

As Charlie Brown, James Auger quietly nails his characterization from the very start, balancing between humor and empathy to endear this anxious, overly analytical, obsessive "Round-Headed Kid" to the audience. Danielle Conti gives Lucy's confident crabbiness spark and appeal, Lucas Pereira beautifully blends Linus' innocence with his deeply philosophical musings, and Hassan Demartino makes Schroeder engaging in his single-minded devotion to the great classical composers.

Courtney Littlefield (Sally) and Jane Mandes (Snoopy) both play their parts well and with clear enthusiasm, but Sally and Snoopy read with less complexity than the other members of Westerly's Peanuts gang. Snoopy's presentation, in particular, feels deliberately focused on the laid-back elements of the dog's life without tapping into the joyful exuberance familiar from the comics.

Granite's production design is quite good, with David Jepson's lighting ushering the characters smoothly from vignette to vignette and costumes by Beth Jepson and Paula Pendola underscoring the vibrant personalities of the characters. Charming set pieces by Anna Convery (artwork) and David Jepson (design) accurately recreate the hand-drawn, crayon-colored world of Charles Schultz's comic strips.

The Renaissance City Theatre presents You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown at Westerly's Granite Theatre through November 13, 2016. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased online at www.granitetheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 401-596-2341. Child and senior discount rates are available. The Granite Theatre is located at 1 Granite Street, Westerly, RI 02891.

Photo Courtesy Renaissance City Theatre/Granite Theatre