The search is on for a "good man" at Richland

ou won't have to look far to find one. He will soon be on our campus.

His name's Charlie Brown and he will appear on the Richland stage in the drama department's spring musical, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," with words and music by Clark Gesner.

Based on the popular "Peanuts" comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, it will run at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, March 2-5, in the Fannin Performance Hall.

While the musical focuses on an average day in the life of Charlie Brown, Director Wendy Welch said it has been anything but an average rehearsal run for the cast in Richland's production. They worked twice as hard at rehearsals due to several days lost because of inclement weather.

Welch said the last week hindered cast members,but it was an experience in which they learned what it was like to do professional theater, where you may have only a few weeks to rehearse.

Welch said she chose "Charlie Brown" last year after the spring musical, "Bye Bye, Birdie," which had a large cast and was a huge undertaking.

"We were proud of what we did," Welch said. "But, afterward, we agreed to do something small this semester. It's going to be a quality show. We went for quality, not quantity."

Welch said she has always loved "Peanuts," but has never had a role in "Charlie Brown" or seen the show.  

"Charlie Brown is always seen as the underdog, sort of as the last man out," Welch said. "There's not a plot in the traditional sense. Woven throughout is that he is a good guy. He has merit and there's a lot to like about him."

Welch said the roles are that of children, around 8 to 10. The whole show is a series of vignettes. She has cast only 12 Richland students in the production.

Lucy and Snoopy are comical characters in the traditional sense of comedy, Welch said. Charlie is the straight man, but the other characters all have their moments.

"We are trying to make the whole show, the set, colors, lights and costumes, all look like the comic strip," Welch said. The costumes are designed straight from the comic strip. They've added Woodstock, a little yellow bird."  

Welch said that people will enjoy this musical because it's good, it's fun, and audience members will discover that they know the characters better than they think.

"This is definitely a family show," Welch said. "It's for all ages. It's rated G."  

The show is free and open to the public. No reservations are needed, but for further information call 972-238-6255.