Sierra Stages presents “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” in Grass Valley

Sierra Stages is proud to present the classic Off-Broadway musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown with book, music and lyrics by Clark Gesner, based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz, for four weekends only from September 18 through October 12 at the intimate Off Center Stage in Grass Valley.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a delightfully infectious musical that has charmed audiences for close to 50 years. From the trials of first loves and little league championships to battles with book reports and kite-eating trees, audiences are invited to spend a day in the life of the inept but ever- hopeful Charlie Brown as he searches for what it means to be a good person, finding unexpected answers from his friends Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Patty and Snoopy.

The Sierra Stages production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is directed and musical directed by Ken Getz, with dance direction by George Jayne. The cast includes Isaias Acosta (Charlie Brown), Lindsay Dunckel (Patty), Tracie Nickle (Snoopy), Robert Rossman (Linus), Kim Wellman (Lucy) and Toon Vandevorst (Schroeder).

“This is one of my very favorite small musicals,” said director Ken Getz. “It is funny, touching, and incredibly sincere, with deceptively simple songs. The show speaks to those of us who grew up with the ‘Peanuts’ characters in comic strips and television specials during the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s, as well as those who were born more recently and may have only a passing acquaintance with the ‘Peanuts’ gang from the perennial A Charlie Brown Christmas or It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

Getz concluded, “The show is totally family-friendly, and with a wonderfully talented cast, band, and production staff, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a great way to finish our sixth season (which included Stephen Sondheim’s Company, David Auburn’s Proof and J.M.Barrie’s Peter Pan).”

Performances of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (Note there is no performance on Sunday September 21.)

The first two performances (September 18 & 19) are low priced “previews” with $15 General Admission tickets. For all other performances, General Admission is $25 ($18 for Youth age 17 and under).

For those audience members who prefer a specific seat location and wish to provide additional financial support for Sierra Stages, Reserved Seating is available in advance for $35. For students under 25 with a valid student ID, student rush tickets are offered 1⁄2 hour before each performance, based upon availability, for $15 (one ticket per student ID).

General Admission and Reserved Seating tickets are available online at www.SierraStages.org or by calling Sierra Stages at 530.346.3210. Tickets are also on sale at BriarPatch Co-op on Sierra College Boulevard in Grass Valley.

This fall, Sierra Stages continues its informal Wednesday night play reading series – Theater by the Book – co-presented with the Miners Foundry Cultural Center with Pursuit of Truth, written and directed by Jeffrey Mason on September 24, Becky’s New Car by Steven Dietz and directed by Jac Royce, on October 22 and Fuddy Meers by David Lindsay Abaire and directed by Danny McCammon, on November 19.

All three readings take place at the Miners Foundry, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City. Doors open at 7 PM and the readings begin at 7:30 PM. There is a suggested donation of $10, with advance tickets available from the Miners Foundry at www.minersfoundry.org and at BriarPatch Co-op in Grass Valley.

On Sunday November 2, Sierra Stages will join with Sierra Master Chorale (InConcert Sierra) for a joint fundraiser to benefit the educational programs of both organizations. As part of this benefit, Sierra Stages will present the musical version of the classic folk tale Stone Soup, with music and lyrics by Ken Hardin, Artistic Director of InConcert Sierra.

This production of Stone Soup will also tour to local Nevada County elementary schools in October and November as part of Sierra Stages’ effort to introduce younger audiences to live theatre.

Sierra Stages is a tax-exempt not-for-profit community theatre with a goal to enrich the culture of western Nevada County. In its first six seasons, Sierra Stages has presented 23 plays and musicals and has received 51 Elly Award nominations for its productions.

For more information about You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Theater by the Book, and Sierra Stages, visit www.SierraStages.org

-Sierra Stages