Theater Preview | Torn Ticket II blends familiar characters, new talent in 'You're a Good Man, Charl

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," one of the productions being produced this semester by Torn Ticket II, Tufts' musical theater student group, will open Thursday evening in Dewick-MacPhie Dining Hall. Created by Clark Gesner and first performed in 1967, the show uses musical numbers and comedy to tell a story about the beloved "Peanuts" (1950-2000) characters Charlie Brown (freshman Paxton Crystal), Linus (junior Marcus Hunter) and Lucy (freshman Lizzie Boston).

The director of the show, sophomore Artoun Festekjian, said that he is excited to bring a classic kids' show to Tufts. He believes "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" has an emotional range applicable to the lives of the children and adults alike.

The emotive scope that the show offers, despite being appropriate for all age levels, is part of what makes it so meaningful.

"Every character [embodies] a certain personality [trait]," Festekjian said. "Charlie Brown deals with [what happens] when people are sad or depressed and how they overcome that, whereas someone like Lucy ... is always full of this type of rage and crabbiness ... You can relate with all these characters."

According to Festekjian, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" is also the first Tufts musical in several years to be performed in Dewick, and the venue has provided some challenges for the cast and crew. Despite these difficulties, the informal cafeteria venue will likely jive with the playful childhood setting of the show.

"You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" will be performed on Thursday, April 17 at 10 p.m. and Saturday, April 19 at 9 p.m. It is a free, non-ticketed event.