Charlie Brown Comes to Concord

If you are interested in singing and dancing, auditions for the musical You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown will be held on November 11 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Karen Vuranch, Theatre Director, states that “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown is a delightful musical that is based on the famous comic strip. It has happy music and features characters that are well-known and well-loved.”

    Vuranch directed this play over thirty years ago and is excited to bring it back. Her goal for this show is to make it enjoyable for everyone. “This is going to be a fun play, to be as silly as possible. This is something we all know. This is an iconic American experience. Everyone knows Charlie Brown. I’m looking for people to have fun with it,” says Vuranch.

    Although Concord has done musicals in the past, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is unique because the music department and theatre department have come together for this play. “This is the first time the theatre department and the music department has worked together in a long time,” Vuranch says. “The music department came to me and asked ‘Hey, want to do a musical?’ and I said ‘You bet!’ We have a great music program, let’s take advantage of it. We have musicians and singers, and it makes sense to do something that utilizes all departments,” she adds. 

    Vuranch says that there are six characters in this play, but there is a possibility that they may add a few more. The main ones for now are Charlie Brown, Linus, Schroeder, Lucy, Patty, and Snoopy. Vuranch says she wants the actors to know what they are doing and have fun while they are at it. “They need to be able to sing the parts that are required for the song. I’m looking for people who have pizazz on stage and I’m looking for people who can sell these parts,” she states. 

    There aren’t any requirements based on looks for each individual character, Vuranch states, “It’s not necessary for them to look like the character. …I’m not going to be hung up on if they look like the character we all know and love. We’ll find ways to make them look like the characters.”

    Vuranch hopes to put a great show together and that everyone involved has a good time. “I want to create a top quality production that people leave singing and humming the tunes. I want the students to experience all aspects of putting a show together,” Vuranch states. 

    A couple of great benefits for being in the musical can be receiving credit for it. If you are an actor and have a role, you will get 3 credits in Musical Theatre. If don’t want to audition, but be involved with the musical, you can earn three credit hours in Stage Craft by working back stage.

    The auditions will consist of singing and acting. Copies of the music can be found through Dr. Kelly Hudson in the Fine Arts building, office M113. Her email is khudson@concord.edu and her extension number is x5301. 

    Rehearsals will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM during the Spring Semester, until Spring Break. Rehearsal will then resume four days a week until opening night.  

    Actors will need to be available for rehearsals and all performance dates.