Another Fabulous Review for "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown"!

You are, in fact, a good man, Charlie Brown
by Dagbath Yallington (as posted on TheaterReview.com)
4.5 out of 5

I had the distinct pleasure of experiencing the relatively new Button Theater when I took in the fantastic musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." Now, you have to knock my socks off when it comes to CB because I've seen the show in various incarnations several times and practically know the soundtrack by heart.

To make "Charlie Brown" shine you have to assemble a versatile and talented ensemble or you are dead in the water. The folks at the Button did just that as all the pieces fit into place very well. While the show is named after the lovable mope, it's really Lucy and Snoopy who have the best material and it is essential that those characters shine and shine they did. Maura Gebhardt is tremendous as Lucy. She really captures the spirit of Lucy's crabbiness and has a phenomenal voice. Ms. Gebhart was the best Lucy I've seen in person, kudos.

I don't know what kind of schooling they got going on in Indiana, but they must be doing something right because recent IU grad Nick Arapoglou is stellar as the lovable pooch, Snoopy. He can make you laugh just with a facial expression and both of his big solo numbers are just so charming.

I'm not trying to say that the rest of the cast is days old lasagna here or anything, it's just that a big key to the success of this show is a good Lucy and a good Snoopy. The rest of this ensemble is scrumtrillescent as well. Kristie Krabe is making quite a name for herself around town and she adds another strong performance to her resume as Charlie Brown's sister Sally. Ms. Krabe is really funny and brings tons of life to the character. The biggest surprise for me was Nathan Phillips who plays the pianist Shroeder. I wasn't sure what to think of him because he seemed to just blend into the background because, let's be honest, Shroeder is the straight man in all of this and doesn't get a ton of time to shine. However, when Mr. Phillips got to his big number "Beethoven Day" I was blown away by the range and talent of his voice. This gentleman was just an outstanding performer and was spectacular in a role designed to take a back seat to the others.

And what can you say about Charlie Bradshaw and Matthew Carter who play buddies Charlie and Linus respectively? Bradshaw must have been Charlie Brown in a previous life because he captures Charlie's sentiments incredibly well and Carter is funny as the philosophical Linus. The banter between Bradshaw and Carter just adds depth to an incredibly colorful cast of lovable goofballs.

I had a few minor issues with sound. I think the folks at the Button have something to work with, but the acoustics weren't good in my opinion and I need good acoustics in the theatre because I have minor hearing issues and if it were me, I would have considered a larger band because part of what makes Charlie Brown such an engaging show is the richness of the characters, the colors, the sets and the music. Those are just minor complaints. I really enjoyed the show and emplore those of you out there to give the show, and this theatre a chance. We need as many places around the city for actors to ply their trade and express their creativity and the survival of these places relies on the support of people like you.

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You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Now through March 30
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 2 PM
Call our box office at 770-831-0591 or go to http://www.buttontheatre.com/