New student theater group to take the stage with 'Charlie Brown'
You would think that America's most lovable and insecure loser wouldn't be one for musicals, particularly being the lead singer in one.
But Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang are coming to the stage this weekend as part of Student Theatre 901's production of the revised Broadway musical, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
Named for the address of the high school the group performs at, the group is a collection of more than 30 college and high school students who perform and produce the show themselves.
"This is the first year our group has been around, since I helped form it with my old high school theater director," said Peter Studlo, 19, co-director of the musical.
In addition to the guidance of Rosary High School theater director Tom Jesse, Studlo and the other co-director, Katie Lyon, have been working with the help of Bob Kresz, the musical's orchestration director who regularly helps out with musicals at Rosary.
The cast of six draws heavily from Rosary and Batavia in general, as does the larger crew of 30 producers, publicists, and set constructionists, all of whom have each volunteered more than 100 hours to putting on the show.
"I wanted this musical to serve as an internship, both for myself and everyone in the show. I know I've learned so much from being a co-director, because this is the first time I've directed," Studlo said.
It was Studlo who initially proposed the group perform the revised 1997 "Charlie Brown" musical. After looking at the rights to the work, the group quickly decided on "Charlie Brown."
"I wasn't a huge fan of Peanuts, but the music drew me to this, I just loved it, and since then I have become much more attached to Peanuts and Charlie Brown," Studlo said.
More than a dozen people auditioned for the limited number of roles, since the musical features the performances of only six characters: Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroder, Sally and Snoopy.
Batavia resident Denzel Tsopnang, who plays Charlie Brown, is going into his senior year at Batavia High School, where he has spent much of the last three years on stage.
Loyola University sophomore Evan Czerwonka plays Linus. He is involved with the university's band and jazz choir, but had much experience at Batavia with the theater.
Alex Santoro plays Lucy, and is going into her junior year at Batavia, where she has been active in the theatre program since she was a freshman.
Mary Doctor plays Sally Brown, Andrew Ferrer plays Snoopy and Erik Shewalter plays Schroeder.
The musical will be performed in the McEnroe Auditorium at Rosary High School, which can seat more than 500 people. So far, about 200 tickets have been sold to each show, but the group is expecting to sell many more tickets at the door.
This is the first year Student Theatre 901 has been around, but if Studlo has anything to say about it, it won't be its last.
"We will very likely do this again next summer, since I know I've had an amazing time, and I'm pretty sure everyone else has too," Studlo said.
To be in the audience for any of the group's three performances this weekend, contact Taylor Kofron at (630) 450-5000 or email Theatre_901@yahoo.com.
If you go
What: Student Theatre 901 performs the Broadway musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"
When: 7:30 p.m. today, July 24 and Saturday, July 25; 2 p.m. Sunday, July 26
Where: McEnroe Auditorium at Rosary High School, 901 N. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora
How much? $8 adults, $6 for students and seniors
Details: To purchase tickets in advance, contact Taylor Kofron at (630) 450-5000 or e-mail Theatre_901@yahoo.com, and you can also purchase tickets at the door.