Nine Mile Players in Rehearsal for 'You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown'

The Nine Mile Players will be presenting  their spring musical production, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Oxford Center School. They would prefer to present the show at Oxford High School, but unfortunately are not able to afford the steep rental fees for that auditorium. So they have held rehearsals since March in this elementary school gym, Great Oak Middle School and the nearby Grange, depending upon when each space is available.  

The production team chose the 1967 musical comedy based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his comic strip Peanuts because it is lots of fun and equally appeals to all members of the family. Parents will remember the comic strip and their offspring are familiar with the television shows that are repeated around various holidays. The musical features a core team of six actors and a six person ensemble dubbed "The Peanuts Gallery" that includes some familiar faces.  

This is not the large ensemble cast that we are used to seeing in Nine Mile Productions, but the Producer Ashleigh Smith explained to me that they intentionally went with a smaller cast of very talented people. The tight group of principal actors work very well together and mastered their lines and blocking under the direction of Christina Kalafut before the ensemble members joined in at rehearsals. Ms. Kalafut also is in charge of costumes and props, which will of course include the ever-present blanket for Linus. 

Ms. Smith told me that the score includes about 15 songs that are "insanely catchy" and that the singers will be accompanied by one of the Musical Directors Alex Saraceno on piano, a bass, drums and maybe even a guitar. Caroline Strange serves as the other Musical Director; in a time when some theaters are canceling shows when they are unable to find a MD, this group is fortunate to have two very talented ones. The couple of these "catchy" songs that I heard at a recent rehearsal sounded great; I look forward to hearing the entire score on opening night.  

Billed as Associate Producer is the personable Jason A. Coombs who is living his dream and has moved to New York to do so. I could not be happier for this talented actor/director. Choreography is by Dance Studio Owner Nicole Kristoff and the set was designed by Thomas Adamski and Tangee Ramsay. The colorful cartoon background has already been completed and will feature a life sized doghouse for Snoopy, as well as a life-sized tree and mailbox.  

This wonderful cast includes Kerey Viswanathan in the title role. This young man has done some commercial acting, but this will be his first live theatre appearance. Wendy Scola (Footloose) as Lucy Van Pelt has a terrific singing voice and holds Lucy's speaking voice throughout her performance. Ensemble member Shannon Riccio serves as her understudy. Bobby Morrison plays Snoopy and Amanda Friedman plays Sally, the role  that earned Kristin Chenoweth a Tony. Tyler Panek (who was wearing his How to Succeed in Business at Oxford High t-shirt at this rehearsal) is a very cute Linus Van Pelt and Chris Wolf  is his understudy.

David Oramas, the brother of Joel Oramas who is currently finishing his graduate degree in Florida, makes his stage debut as Schroeder; this young man has a wonderful singing voice   The Peanuts Gallery includes Tony Benedetti, Shari Braccia. Victoria Constantino, Adrianna Veltri, Kathleen Kelly, Stephanie O’Connell, Shannon Riccio, and Chris Wolf.  

The production will run one weekend only, Friday June 7 at 7 p.m., Saturday June 8th at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., and Sunday June 9th at 2 p.m. at Oxford Center School at 462 Oxford Rd Oxford, CT 06478.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students/senior, and $5 for children under 7. Tickets can be purchased at www.showtix4u.com until Wednesday June 5, 2013 or at the door on the day of the performances. Tickets for the matinee are selling fast. so order yours online to avoid being disappointed.  

Youtube promotional video

For more information, please call (203) 881-6235, email NineMilePlayers@OxfordCulturalArts.org, or visit www.NineMilePlayers.org.  

Before the Sunday performance, the Players will be hosting a theater workshop with members of the cast. All ages are welcome to attend and the cost will be $5.