Spotlight Youth Theater to stage Charlie Brown'

Spotlight Youth Theater, an educational arts program for students ages 5 to18, will be producing "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" Feb. 12-21 at Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St. in Des Plaines.

"Charlie Brown is special because it's about building a community of children," says Assistant Director Renee Rundquist. "All these characters and all the bits and pieces that contribute to this greater story are about childhood."

The 1967 comedy, with music and lyrics by Clark Gesner, is based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his comic strip "Peanuts." The off-Broadway production ran for 1,597 performances, closing on Valentine's Day in 1971.

Now, 49 years later, a new group of performers will bring these characters to life.

"We've all had days where we feel like Charlie Brown, and we've all had days when we are Lucy," says Rundquist. "I think we wish we could go back to the days when we were like Sally, when we were innocent; when the world was open before us and we don't have to worry about the concerns we have from day to day."

Lyle Leland plays Snoopy. "It is my final show with this specific theater community, this family," says Leland, who at age 18 is graduating out of the company. "But also, this specific story and these characters are really treasured by my own personal family. My dad has always been a huge fan of the comic series, and of this musical in particular. I think being able to tell this story for him is making it a really personal connection and an important time for me."

The show "combines the classic 'Charlie Brown' characters and situations with fresh music and dancing," says Director Amanda Spenner.

Vocal Director Carol Taylor, who's done 11 shows in 12 years for Spotlight, says, "The level of talent that came out for this show was definitely above what I had anticipated."

Charlie Brown, Snoopy and his gang are enjoying a high level of popularity right now thanks to the recent movie and the 50th anniversary of the "Charlie Brown Christmas Special."

It "might seem like a fluffy show on the outside, but as we dive into these characters in rehearsal, we discover the deeper motivations," Rundquist says. "And because of those deeper themes, I think it's a great show for all ages."

The focus on children seems especially relevant given that the nonprofit Spotlight Youth Theater serves about 6,000 students per year, operating in 12 different regions in the greater Chicago-Milwaukee area.

Each area offers summer camps and after-school classes in dance, voice, drama and theatrical specialties, and performs three fully-staged musical productions per year.

"This is a great Spotlight show because of the diversity of the characters and because it showcases kids being kids and overcoming challenges, celebrating victories, and figuring out who they are and who they want to be," says Spenner.

Leland says Spotlight has been key in his personal development.

"It might seem cheesy and cliché, but I can't remember who I was before Spotlight. These stories I have been telling, and the way these people have impacted my life personally, have changed me so much in the two years I have been here."

Tickets are $9 to $12 in advance and $2 more at the door. Group, child and senior prices are available. There will be a performance Feb. 10 for families of special needs children. Call (847) 516-2298 or visit www.spotlight.org.