In our nostalgic haste to drink Drano and do other things to chainsaws this week in covering the local production of Heathers the Musical, we were apparently remiss in not mentioning that an incredibly talented crew of local theater folks are opening a month-long run (nearly!) of the lauded 2004 SoHo Fringe parody of Charles M. Schulz’s Charlie Brown clique – none involved were named Heather – THIS VERY WEEKEND. Kangagirl Productions hero Margaret Nolan tells us that the production, which is directed by local fave David Lee, won’t veer too far from the original script (that’s why they call them scripts), but will bring its own nuances in staging, design, etc.
Though we could swim around in the glittering psychological details of the ambush makeovers of Mr. Brown and Lucy and Linus and Schroeder and (sniff) Snoopy – here’s a hint: they’re all filthy, except the (copyright mandated) replacement for Pig Pen, who has turned his dustball into an internalized conundrum and become a homophobe – but we’ll leave that to the characters and their requisite staged surprises. Really looking forward to this one, if only for the kissing booths and Red Barons. Here’s the info:
Peanuts comic strip meets Reality
David Lee directs “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead” at the Footlight Theatre
ORLANDO, Fla. – July 14th 2015. Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead, an “unauthorized parody” written by Bert V. Royal and directed by David Lee, opening at the Footlight Theatre, imagines the characters from Charles M. Schulz’s beloved Peanuts’ characters 10 years later as angsty teenagers. But this is no comic strip!
Their names have been altered a bit but all of the characters and backstory are easy to identify. “CB”, aka Charlie Brown, has lost his beloved dog and is struggling with existential questions of life and death and sexual identity. Piano-playing “Schroeder” is now the bullied and ostracized “Beethoven.” Matt, the “Pigpen” character, is now a homophobic germophobe, “Sally” has gone goth and “Linus” is a Buddhist stoner. Lucy, once the nickel psychologist, is a feisty pyromaniac who’s been sent off to an institution.
The gang grapples with teenage realities of drug use, suicide, eating disorders, bullying, rebellion, and sexual identity, wrapped in skewered, funny, and poignant twists. Good grief!
“A welcome antidote to the notion that the “Peanuts” gang provides merely a slice of American cuteness.” – New York Times
“Thanks to its balance of affection for the original material and sophomoric irreverence, “Dog’s” appropriation of the teen-movie idiom to give a contemporary makeover to the iconic American cartoon strip yields its share of laughs” – Variety
WHAT:
“Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead” is directed by David Lee, assistant directed by Gabriella Juliet Beals and produced by Kangagirl Productions/Margaret Nolan. Graphics and photography by Jocelynn White, sound design by Rachel Comeau, set design by David Lee, and costume assistance by Kyla Swanberg.CAST
Christopher Walen- “CB” (Charlie Brown)
Madeleine Elise- “CB’s Sister” (Sally)
Zachary Lane-“Van” (Linus)
Campbell Gilliland- “Matt (Pig-Pen)
Chris Metz- “Beethoven” (Schroeder)
Julianne Snyder- “Tricia” (Peppermint Patty)
Veronica Kelly- “Marcy” (Marcie)
Rachel Comeau- “Van’s Sister” (Lucy)WHEN:
Saturdays- August 1, 8, 15 & 22 @7:30PM | Industry Night- Monday, August 24 @7:30PMWHERE:
The Footlight Theatre | Parliament House | 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail | Orlando, FL 32805TIX:
$10 Advance | $15 at the door | www.wanzie.com
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