Review: A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS Warms Hearts at the Garden Theatre

Christmas time is here, indeed, with A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Garden Theatre. Adapted for the stage by Eric Schaeffer, this live-action transfer is almost an exact carbon copy of the beloved television special. C.J. Sikorski's festive scenic design invites us into an animated world of vivid colors and shapes, and plays with mixtures of two and three dimensional pieces. The iconic Charles Schulz characters are brought to life with a talented ensemble of Garden Theatre veterans and newcomers. Some actors approached their characters from a more realistic, modern, and mature perspective, while others chose to portray a campy, live-action version of their specific cartoon character. Preference is entirely up to the audience member, but judging by the children sitting around me who were laughing hysterically, I don't think anyone minded. Kelley Mauro steals the show multiple times with her confident, captivating, and humorous portrayal of Lucy, as does Brandon Hofmann who demonstrates an extensive repertoire of sounds, noises, facial expressions and dance moves in his embodiment of everyone's favorite cartoon-dog, Snoopy. This festive family show is sure to get you in the holiday mood with these lovable characters, complete with a brief Christmas carol sing-along at the conclusion of the production. The Garden Theatre also offers a couple photography backdrops and meet-and-greet opportunities with the cast. If you have little ones, this show is a December necessity this year.

**A sensory-friendly performance has been scheduled for December 17 at 6pm. This performance will have special modifications to the show's lighting and sound effects, designed for children with autism, Asperger's, or other sensory processing disorders and special needs.

What: The Garden Theatre's stage-adapted production of A Charlie Brown Christmas
Length: About 50 minutes including a 5-minute pre-show sing-along. No intermission.
Where: 160 West Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL
When: December 2 - 18; Thursdays and Fridays at 6pm & 8pm, Saturdays at 1pm, 3pm, 6pm, & 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm & 4pm
Cost: $19-23, with special prices for children under the age of 12 on Thursday nights
Contact: www.gardentheatre.org, (407) 877-4736

Production photos by: Steven Miller Photography

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