A day in the life of Charlie Brown

"In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back." "Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love." "That's the secret to life -- replace one worry with another."

The world according to Charlie Brown. His simple and sweet words have danced generations along life's path.

Now, folks will get a chance to hear them loud and clear when Theatre Nebula presents "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" at Cutting Hall in Palatine.

"This is the first musical Theatre Nebula has done because they are more expensive to do," said J. Spencer Greene, the show's director. "Royalties can run six times as high as non-musicals. But 'Charlie Brown' worked because it was not as expensive as an 'Oklahoma.'"

With limited characters of just Charlie, Lucy, Sally, Linus, Schroeder and Snoopy, the production was doable. Costumes, too, were less costly, as some came from previous productions and were limited to street clothes. Even Snoopy wears humanized attire, using white sweats and a shirt with black marks on it as a costume.

The musical is based on the comic strip, "Peanuts," by Charles M. Schulz.

"It's a revised version of the original show done in the '60s," Greene said. "It has two additional songs."

One of those songs is "Beethoven Day." It comes about as Schroeder is upset that there is no holiday for Beethoven's birthday. The other song is "Philosophy." It uses catch phrases as philosophies for life. The song is sung by character Sally, who is played by Rachel Rosellini.

Rosellini, 25, lives in Palatine and teaches music at Grove Avenue Elementary and Roslyn Road Elementary, both in Barrington. She was music major at Illinois Wesleyan University and has been involved with Theatre Nebula for eight years.

"I miss singing for myself," Rosellini said. "I have to do shows for the students all the time, so it's nice to be in one instead of directing one."

The singer said she hasn't faced any challenges as an adult playing a 5-year-old. In fact, she has found it quite fun.

"Sometimes, I can't believe I'm all grown up already," Rosellini said. "It's fun to be able to play a child."

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the show is children facing adult issues, but coming to terms with them in innocent ways. In one scene, as the kids are jumping rope, they casually contemplate how "the meaning of life is so futile."

"In the song, 'Happiness,' the words 'Happiness is anyone and anything that's loved by you,' is the uplifting message of the musical," Rosellini said.

"The story appeals to everybody," Greene said. "As a child, it's cute and simple and easy to digest. As an adult, people can pick up on things that relate to everyday life."

If you go

What: Theatre Nebula's "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"

When: 7 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (except Easter Sunday), through March 30

Where: Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine

Admission: $14 adults, $12 seniors and students, $10 children 12 and younger

Call: (847) 202-5222 or visit www.theatrenebula.org