Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Plans are well underway for the 2024 version of Stephen F. Austin State University’s SummerStage Festival. The family friendly event presented annually by the School of Theatre and Dance makes its way back to Griffith Fine Arts Building after several years of make-shift performances while Griffith renovation was underway.
This summer brings the first SummerStage Festival to be presented in the Flex Theatre with everyone’s favorite blockhead taking the stage in “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” with music and lyrics by Clark Gesner and Andrew Lippa, and book by John Gordon.
“I’ve been saying this a lot this past year, but it still holds true – we are continuing to make history with our new building,” said Cleo House-Keller, director of the School of Theatre and Dance. “‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ will be the first SummerStage production in the new facilities, making this moment a major occurrence in the timeline of the School of Theatre and Dance and for our audiences.
“I had the privilege of directing this show early in my career, and I can guarantee this show will be a pleasure for audiences of all ages,” he added. “What I enjoy most about this show is that it does a great job at paying homage to the original characters while leaving room for the director and her cast to put their own stamp on it. I encourage everyone to book their tickets early, as seats for this show are sure to go fast!”
Based on the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, Charlie Brown and the entire “Peanuts” bunch explore life’s great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes and celebrate the joys of friendship.
Jennifer Malmberg, lecturer in the School of Theatre and Dance, directs the show, and she said her students are thrilled about the debut of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and marking “the inauguration of our first SummerStage season in the prestigious, new Griffith Fine Arts Building.” She described this year’s SummerStage Festival as “an unforgettable theatrical event!”
“Prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey with Charlie Brown and his beloved friends as we bring to life this timeless tale, resonating with audiences of all ages,” Malmberg said. “This production is perfect for all kids – from 5 to 100! It captures the essence of the human experience like no other.”
Whether you’re a young enthusiast or a seasoned theatergoer, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” promises “an enchanting escape into the world of ‘Peanuts,’” Malmberg said.
“Join us for an extraordinary theatrical experience filled with captivating music, dazzling spectacle and a heartwarming narrative that will linger in your thoughts long after the final curtain falls,” she added. “We are excited to invite our community to join us as we embark on this enchanting journey together this summer.”
All performances for “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” are in the Flex Theatre. Show times are 10 a.m. Monday, July 1; 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, July 2 and 3; 7 p.m. Friday. July 5; and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 6. The July 1 presentation is a pay-what-you-can performance.
Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for senior adults 62 and older; $8 for SFA faculty and staff; $8 for youth and non-SFA students; and $5 for SFA students. To purchase tickets, visit sfasu.edu/cfa/box-office or call (936) 468-6407.
For more information about “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” call the School of Theatre and Dance at (936) 468-4003 or visit sfasu.edu/theatre-dance.