REVIEW: ADULTS BECOME KIDS IN PRODUCTION

Changing from adult to kid in a comic strip setting is no easy task. Fact is, it's hard work.

But once the smooth spots are ironed out it becomes a lot of fun. You forget that adults are on stage playing kids and that sheer talent must make or break this production. Talent does come through and that's when the performance starts to breathe.

Once that happens you get comfortable, start feeling like a kid and have plenty of laughs during a memorable evening of entertainment.

Such was the case with Wednesday night's rehearsal of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". The musical, based on the comic strip "Peanuts," by Charles M. Schulz, will make its debut at the Drury Lodge tonight as a dinner theater. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 and the performance at 8.

The musical, under the direction of K.C. Martin and the Broadway Players, will move to the Concord Theater May 6-7 with performances scheduled for 7:30 p.m. A May 8 matinee will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Concord.

The cast pushed through some difficult moments and managed to arrive at an entertaining package of comic-strip chuckles and light-hearted anecdotes. Oh, and there are a few songs to connect the comic strips in a fluid motion.

Lucy, played by Stephanie Pelts, turned in one of the more consistent performances, portraying a character who is capable of fracturing or mending the egos of her closest friends.

Says Lucy during one memorable soliloquy, "Nobody should be kept from being a queen if she wants. It's undemocratic." A few minutes later Lucy becomes distracted by the television. Linus, played by Phillip Davis, asks Lucy about her proposed queendom. Lucy tells Linus she has more important matters to attend to. And so it goes.

Dave Olson, who plays Charlie Brown, turned in a strong performance from beginning to end. He affected just the right sensitivity for his role without becoming too adult-like.

Snoopy, played by Tana Howard, has some funny lines. Howard, who has an impressive background in theater, shows her broad range as an actress and singer.

Says Snoopy, "Today I'm a dog, and tomorrow I'm a dog. There's just so little hope of advancement."

Peppermint Patty, played by Lori Prewitt, does a good job with her role from beginning to end. Says Patty, "Dear Ann Flanders: Last year I sent out 52 valentines and received 75. This year I sent out 58 and received 61. Do you suppose that there's a problem with the zip code?"

Schroeder, played by Tom Lee, is as believable as any of the characters who come alive in this musical.

Ann Swanson plays piano and Wayne Johnson is the drummer in the musical, written by Clark Gesner.

Tickets for tonight's dinner theater at the Drury Lodge are $15 per person and can be reserved by calling 243-0287. Tickets also can be purchased at the door.

Tickets for May 6-8 regular performances are $5 per person and are available at Schnuck's, Boatmen's Bank of Jackson and Boatmen's Bank of Cape Girardeau on William Street.