Aug. 6, 2019—The School of Fine Arts at Missouri Western State University is partnering with the St. Joseph Downtown Partnership to present a free performance of the Broadway musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 16 and 17, in Coleman Hawkins Park at Felix Street Square. The performance is part of the inaugural Arts in the Park celebration, with arts faculty and students providing family-friendly arts activities before the show, at 5 p.m. both evenings.
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz with music and lyrics by Clark Gesner and book by John Gordon, tells the story of an average day in the life of Charlie Brown and his friends. Charlie pines for the “little redheaded girl” and sends his dog into rapturous joy by bringing the supper dish, Lucy woos the musician Schroeder and dispenses psychiatric advice for 5 cents and Snoopy … well, Snoopy is Snoopy, battling the Red Baron and barely feigning interest in dog-like activities like chasing rabbits.
The play is directed by Jessica Agnew, administrative coordinator for the School of Fine Arts who has acted in and directed stage productions both at Missouri Western and Robidoux Resident Theatre. The cast and pit orchestra will include Missouri Western students and faculty alongside community performers.
“Arts in the Park is a way to bring Missouri Western arts downtown in a more accessible way,” Agnew said. “We want it to be a true collaboration, with community and University talent performing side-by-side.”
The show will be performed on the patio area behind the gazebo at Felix Street Square, with the audience seated on the grassy hillside between the gazebo and Francis Street. Audience members are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.