ELGIN – The “Peanuts” gang of friends popularized by Charles M. Schultz’s comic series comes to life in song during the Elgin Community College Musical Theatre’s summer production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
Performances will be held in the ECC Arts Center (Building H), 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, at 7:30 p.m. July 20-21, 27-18, and Aug. 3-4; and 3 p.m. July 22, 29, and Aug. 5.
The musical follows a day in the life of Charlie Brown as he interacts with Sally, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder and Snoopy. Audiences also will be treated to other vignettes popularized by the comic strip and TV specials, such as Snoopy’s battle with the Red Baron, Lucy doling out psychiatric advice for a nickel per session, and Schroeder playing his piano.
“We really wanted to do something that’s very family oriented,” said Konnie Kay, the musical’s director and choreographer, in a news release. “Audiences will see plenty of things in this musical that will take them back to those cartoon characters they know and love.”
John G. Slawson, professor of music at ECC, is the production’s music director. The cast features Terry Christianson (St. Charles), Jacque Currie (Elgin), Pamela Gianakakos (Lake in the Hills), Will Loftus (Bensenville), Brandon Raasch (St. Charles), Charlie Rucker (South Elgin), Michael Sherry (St. Charles), Carly Sinclair (South Elgin), and Sarafina Vecchio (Huntley).
Tickets cost 20 for adults, $18 for students and seniors, and $12 for children 12 years old and younger. Tickets for all performances in the ECC Arts Center are available online at tickets.elgin.edu or at the ECC Box Office located in the arts center. Box office hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday (phones only on Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 4). To purchase tickets by phone, call 847-622-0300. All major credit cards are accepted.
Visit elgin.edu/arts for more information about the ECC Arts Center.