Drury Lane’s ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ Begins March 7
Drury Lane Theatre for Young Audiences presents You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, based on the beloved comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz, with book, music and lyrics by Clark Gesner. This revised version features additional dialogue by Michael Mayer and additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. This production is directed and choreographed by Scott Calcagno with music direction by Ellen Morris. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown runs March 7 – June 15, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.
Based on the beloved comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, this charming revue of vignettes and songs explores life through the eyes of Charlie Brown and his friends in the Peanuts gang – Linus, Lucy, Sally, Schroeder, and Snoopy. Now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown features favorites such as “Suppertime” and “Happiness,” as well as two new songs from the revised version, “Beethoven Day” and “My New Philosophy.” You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown opened on Broadway in 1967, with a revised version presented in 1999 under the direction of Michael Mayer. The revival received Tony Awards for Featured Actress (Kristin Chenoweth as Sally) and Featured Actor (Roger Bart as Snoopy).
The cast of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown includes Joseph Anthony Byrd (Schroeder), Jacquelyne Jones (Lucy), Will Lidke (Snoopy), Jeff Pierpoint (Linus), Sam Shankman (Charlie Brown), and Leryn Turlington (Sally).
The creative team includes Cassy Schillo (Properties and Scenic Designer), Jennifer Whittington (Costume Coordinator), and Julie Mack (Lighting Designer). Kaitlin Kitzmiller is the Production Stage Manager.
Guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy a meet-and-greet breakfast buffet with You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown characters on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. (March 2, 9, 16, & 23; April 6 & 13) and 10:30 a.m. (May 11, 18, & 25; and June 1, 8, & 15). Enjoy a breakfast of bacon, made-to-order doughnuts, and more as kids meet the characters of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. With five stations of delicious food plus unlimited champagne and mimosas for just $10, this breakfast is a great option for the whole family. Fresh juice and coffee are included. The breakfast is priced at $20 for adults, $15 for children 4-12, and free for children under 3.
About the Artists
JOSEPH ANTHONY BYRD (Schroeder) is making his Drury Lane debut. Other Chicago credits include: The Emcee in Cabaret at Paramount, Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar at Lyric Opera, Sebastian in Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Jacob in La Cage Aux Folles at Marriott, and Emmett Till in The Ballad Of Emmett Till at Goodman Theatre. He has also been seen as Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway and has toured with The Lion King and MAMMA MIA!
JACQUELYNE JONES (Lucy) is making her Drury Lane debut. Chicago credits include: Shrek (Marriott Theatre), Legally Blonde (Paramount Theatre), Sweeney Todd (Jeff Award Winner Best Performer in a Musical, Theo Ubique), Lizzie (Firebrand Theatre), Heathers the Musical (Kokandy Productions), Honky Tonk Angels (Theo Ubique), and Pericles (Chicago Shakespeare Theater).
WILL LIDKE (Snoopy) returns to Drury Lane where he most recently appeared as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. Some other Chicago credits include: Saturday Night Fever (Drury Lane); Violet, Bat Boy (Griffin Theater); Ride the Cyclone, Tug of War: Foreign Fire (Chicago Shakespeare Theater). TV Credits: Chicago Justice (NBC). Will holds a BFA in Acting from the Chicago College of Performing Arts and is represented by Shirley Hamilton Inc.
JEFF PIERPOINT (Linus) is making his Drury Lane debut in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. He was most recently seen in Porchlight Music Theatre’s Gypsy, and can be seen as Billy Cane in BoHo Theatre’s upcoming production of Bright Star. Other recent credits include Newsies, She Loves Me, and How to Succeed In Business… with Marriott Theatre;Grand Hotel and Bonnie and Clyde with Kokandy Productions; and Greg Madison in It Shoulda Been You at Actor’s Theatre of Indiana. Jeff is a graduate of Ball State University and is represented by Gray Talent Group.
SAM SHANKMAN (Charlie Brown) returns to Drury Lane, where he previously played Professor in South Pacific. Recent Chicago credits: Miracle on 34th St. (Theatre at the Center);Spring Awakening (Blank Theatre); Curious George (Northbrook Theatre); Madagascar (Chicago Shakespeare); Shrew’d! (First Folio); ’Twas the Night Before Christmas (Emerald City); A Year With Frog and Toad, The Hundred Dresses, and Elephant and Piggie’s We Are in a Play (Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts). Sam hails from Memphis, TN, where some of his regional work includes Speech and Debate and Spring Awakening at Playhouse on the Square. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and represented by Stewart Talent.
LERYN TURLINGTON (Sally) returns to Drury Lane where she appeared as Kim McAfee in Bye Bye Birdie. Her other Drury Lane credits include: White Christmas, Charlotte’s Web,and A Christmas Carol. Other Chicago credits include: Legally Blonde (Paramount Theatre), HAIR (Mercury Theatre), Parade (Writers Theatre), Grand Hotel (Kokandy Productions),Honky Tonk Angels (Theo Ubique). Leryn has also performed at the Marriott Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and with the Chicago Artists’ Chorale
About Drury Lane Theatre for Young Audiences
Drury Lane Theatre for Young Audiences features exceptional children’s programming throughout the year. We are dedicated to reaching young audiences with entertaining, educational, and theatrical programming that engages and inspires children of all ages. Our Theatre for Young Audiences presents both classic kid-friendly productions and new works.
2019/2020 Season and Subscription Information
Drury Lane’s 2018/2019 season will conclude with the global smash-hit Mamma Mia! featuring the music of ABBA (February 7 – April 14, 2019). The 2019/2020 season will include two award-winning Regional Theatre premieres – the imaginative Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (April 26 – June 23, 2019), based on the beloved novel, and the beautifully captivating Gershwin musical An American in Paris (January 31 – March 29, 2020). The thrilling season
Subscriptions for the 2019/2020 Season are priced from $172 to $203.50 and are currently on sale. Subscribers receive special offers on dining, flexible ticket exchanges, and early notification and priority seating for added events and concerts. For more information, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.
The performance schedule for all productions during the 2018/2019 season is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Student group tickets start as low as $30 and Senior Citizens start at $40 for matinees. Dinner and show packages are also available. For individual ticket on-sale dates and ticket reservations, call the Drury Lane Theatre box office at 630.530.0111 or TicketMaster
About Drury Lane Theatre
Under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis and Artistic Director William Osetek, Drury Lane Theatre is a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, presenting world-class productions in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading actors, artists, writers, and directors. Drury Lane has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for more than 360 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane is committed to breathing new life into beloved classics and introducing audiences to exciting new works.
Throughout its 50-year history, Drury Lane has employed more than 7,500 actors and 10,000 musicians, designers, and crew members to entertain upwards of nine million audience members. Originally founded by Anthony DeSantis, Drury Lane Theatre moved to its current Oakbrook Terrace home more than 30 years ago and remains a family-run organization known for producing breathtaking Broadway classics, top-rated musicals, bold new works, hilarious comedies, and unforgettable concert events.