One of the good things about performing the “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” musical is that the audience is familiar the characters. Everybody knows the “Peanuts” gang.
Everybody, that is, except the actress who plays Lucy.
(Fred Bellett/Photo)
“I’m very unfamiliar with Peanuts, unfortunately,” said Brooke Stinnett, who plays the unpopular character in the New Tampa Players production, which runs for two weekends beginning Oct. 10 at CrossPointe Church of the Nazarene, 919 Debuel Road in Lutz. “I’ve seen the Christmas movie, and that’s it.”
To be fair, the Lutz resident is just 21, so she was born well after the comic strip’s heyday in the 1960s, when a series of television specials — and the original version of the musical — began to add to its popularity. Stinnett had to do some catching up for the role, learning Lucy’s bossy attitude and crabby behavior, she said.
But she thinks that not knowing Lucy too well allows her to add something fresh to the character, and the musical gives Stinnett an opportunity to show Lucy’s sensitive side.
According to director G. Frank Meekins, Stinnett brought a lot to the table when she joined the cast.
“She’s a very talented actress with an amazing voice,” he said. The two worked together in the New Tampa Players’ production of “The Sound of Music,” and he thought she’d be a great fit for the Charlie Brown musical.
With just seven cast members, chemistry and camaraderie is important, Meekins said. He feels like everyone fits in properly, with the singing and acting talent necessary to cover the challenges of each role.
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is both a familiar and different challenge for Meekins. He performed in the play in high school, and has directed it several times. But in those cases, it was the original 1967 version.
This play is based off the 1999 revival version, and Meekins chose that one because it has more exciting songs with a Broadway feel to them, while retaining the character warmth from the original that people have come to expect from a “Peanuts” production.
Stinnett also brings an acting pedigree to the stage. Her mother, Victoria, has performed for New Tampa Players, and her father, Scott, was in a production as well. Younger sisters Reagan and Eva have had roles with the company, too. In fact, when New Tampa Players performed “The Sound of Music,” grandfather Earl Myers joined Brooke, Victoria and Eva in the production.
“It definitely runs in the family,” Stinnett said.
While singing is almost second nature for her, being outgoing doesn’t come naturally at all. Stinnett admits to being a shy person in her everyday life. But acting and singing allows her to take on a character’s traits and become that persona during the performance.
“I’m a different person when I’m on stage, and it’s always been that way,” she said. “There’s something different about being on stage where I can open up more.”
Stinnett attends the University of South Florida, where she doesn’t do theater but instead studies computer science. While she admits that might sound like a better fit for a shy personality, Stinnett also doesn’t stray too far from her theatrical roots. She volunteers at her alma mater, Wharton High School, where she serves as musical director.
Stinnett will have plenty of scenes to show off her portrayal of Lucy to the audience, and it provides some challenges for her. The hardest part about playing the character is her demeanor. She’s simply not that mean or opinionated in real life.
The best thing about playing Lucy? “I guess it would be the same exact thing,” Stinnett said. “I get to be someone completely different than I normally am, and interact with other actors in different ways than I’m used to.”
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” features the “Peanuts” personalities people know in a series of stories, Meekins said, with musical numbers that add depth to the characters in a way the audience will appreciate.
“They can expect an evening of musical comedy,” he said. “I would say it’s a series of comic strips that are sewn together.”
If you go …
WHAT: ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ from the New Tampa Players
WHEN: Oct. 10-11, Oct. 17-18 at 8 p.m., Oct. 12 and Oct. 19 at 2 p.m.
WHERE: CrossPointe Church, 919 Debuel Road, Lutz
COST: $15 for adults, $14 for senior citizens and students
INFO: (813) 386-6687, or NewTampaPlayers.org
Published October 1, 2014
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