As previously reported, Peanuts Worldwide and RWS Entertainment Group(RWS) are officially announcing the launch a national tour of the beloved Tony Award®-winning musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown beginning in January 2020. Directed by Michael Unger, this reimagined production will celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip and the treasured characters created by Charles M. Schulz.
Said Craig Herman, Executive Director of Category Management at Peanuts Worldwide, “This is a very special year for the Peanuts Gang. We started the conversation about taking You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown back on tour for this anniversary, and I am overjoyed that this team has come together to make it a reality. We appreciate the partnership of RWS, Michael, and the creative team to take this show on the road in such a celebratory way.”
“RWS has been a friend of the Peanuts brand for years through its partnership with Cedar Fair theme parks. We’re extremely excited to take this musical on tour to celebrate the comic strip’s 70thbirthday and showcase the Peanuts legacy that has uplifted so many,” said Bruston Manuel, Chief Operations Officer of RWS. “Michael is a talented director whose familiarity with this show and family audiences fits right into our mission. We are lucky to have him at the helm of this production and grateful to Peanuts Worldwide and Tams-Witmark for their collaboration.”
Unger said, “I was honored when the producers approached me about directing a reimagined version of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. The Peanuts characters have been a part of our lives for generations, entertaining and inspiring people, young and not-so-young alike. The point of departure for our production is an homage to Schulz. We will also be using video technology to feature Schulz’s drawings in a unique way, so that his familiar artistry is ever-present, ever-changing, and ever-delightful. I am ecstatic to revisit one of my favorite musicals and bring this new interpretation to thousands of families around the country.”
The tour will also feature brand new orchestrations by Kim Scharnberg; music supervision by Eric Svejcar; set, costume, and prop design by RWS Wardrobe and Design Lab; and lighting design by Craig Stelzenmuller. Casting by Binder Casting. Additional creative team, cast members, and tour stops will be announced at a later date.
The gang is back! Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder, Snoopy, and, of course, everyone’s pal Charlie Brown navigate their daily struggles with humor and charm and, in the end, learn what happiness is all about. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown captures the essence of childhood and the heart of friendship, reminding us all that the little moments in life can make a world of difference. This sweet and funny musical includes catchy favorites like “Happiness,” “My New Philosophy,” “My Blanket and Me,” and “Suppertime.”
Based on the comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown features an original book, music, and lyrics by Clark Gesner. The show opened off-Broadway in 1967 to wide acclaim and then opened at Broadway’s Golden Theatre in 1971. The show was revived at Broadway’s Ambassador Theatre in 1999 with additional material written by Andrew Lippa and Michael Mayer, directed by Mr. Mayer, choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, and earning Kristen Chenoweth a Tony Award® for her iconic portrayal of Sally Brown. In 2016, Michael Unger directed The York Theatre Company’s off-Broadway production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, the first to feature professional children with Broadway experience in the roles of the beloved characters. It continues to be one of the most widely licensed musicals in the country with over 500 productions annually.
You can view the current list of stops here. For additional tour information, visit CharlieBrownTour.com.