A Charlie Brown Christmas at The Coterie
2019 Review
Watching A Charlie Brown Christmas bi-annually (in rotation with Rudolph: The Red-Nosed Reindeer) at The Coterie is one of my girls' favorite holiday traditions. The classic show also puts us in the Christmas spirit.
I love Charlie Brown. I love Snoopy. I love Linus, Schroeder and Pigpen... one of my children is named Lucy (this had nothing to do with the Peanuts... but she delights in seeing a character with her name on stage). Our family includes a viewing of every Peanuts holiday special as part of our annual traditions.... like most American families. Every time the Coterie brought A Charlie Brown Christmas to stage we are thrilled... and it seems much of Kansas City agrees. The show is ALMOST sold-out! If you want tickets, you need to snatch them up quick.
This year, the show introduced an all-new cast. I couldn't wait to see this newest rendition of the show. For fans, like our family, who've nearly memorized the television classic, the stage performance has a special magic all its own.
Photo by Erin Stricker and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre. Peanuts © 2019 Peanuts Worldwide LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The Coterie once again hit it out of the park with sets and costumes that felt as if they were lifted straight from the animated special and brought to life. The music includes special arrangements by Arther Whitelaw and Ruby Persson - including a fabulous rendition of Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron. This musical performance is one of the all-time highlights of the show.
Photo by Erin Stricker and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre. Peanuts © 2019 Peanuts Worldwide LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Catera Combs (as Violet), Darrington Clark (as Snoopy), and Margo G. Roberts (as Frieda) in The Coterie’s production of, A Charlie Brown Christmas, written by Charles Shultz, based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson, and directed by William J. Christie (based on the original 2015 staging for The Coterie by Jeff Church), playing live on stage at The Coterie, November 5 – December 29, 2019.
The show opens with the Peanuts gang skating onto the stage. Our pal Charlie (played by Jordan Luty) is teased by his friends as he often makes mistakes. Meanwhile, he laments the commercialism of Christmas, all the while, his best friend Snoopy (masterfully played to comedic perfection by Darrington Clark) is celebrating the holiday with panache as he is determined to win the local decorating contest. The show brought laughs as Pigpen (played by Zach Faust) scratches his head in contemplation and a cloud of dust fills the air, Snoopy dances and frolics about the stage, Schroeder (played by Vincent Wagner) plays dance music during play rehearsals, and Lucy (Allison Jones) dispenses her own brand of wisdom to the kids.
Photo by Erin Stricker and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre. Peanuts © 2019 Peanuts Worldwide LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Back to Front: Margo G. Roberts (as Frieda), Jordan Luty (as Charlie Brown), Zach Faust (as Pigpen), Vincent Wagner (as Schroeder), and Darrington Clark (as Snoopy) in The Coterie’s production of, A Charlie Brown Christmas, written by Charles Shultz, based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson, and directed by William J. Christie (based on the original 2015 staging for The Coterie by Jeff Church), playing live on stage at The Coterie, November 5 – December 29, 2019.
Following the animated story's plot, Charlie is enlisted to direct the Christmas play and he meets challenges as the kids would rather dance and object to his direction. On a quest to find the true meaning of Christmas, he goes to a tree lot with Linus (played by Phil Newman) and adopts the most fragile tree there is. At first mocked, the kids come to appreciate what Charlie sees in the tree. And, Linus, reminds us all of what Christmas is all about.
As Linus quoted the familiar passage of scripture, and Charlie adopted the poor little unlovable tree, our family was reminded of Christ and how we are all adopted by Him.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. ~ Luke 2: 8-14
Photo by Erin Stricker and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre. Peanuts © 2019 Peanuts Worldwide LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Back row to Front row: Jordan Luty (as Charlie Brown), Vincent Wagner (as Schroeder), David LeVota (as Shermy), Allison Jones (as Lucy), Deanna Mazdra (as Sally), Catera Combs (as Violet), and Darrington Clark (as Snoopy) in The Coterie’s production of, A Charlie Brown Christmas, written by Charles Shultz, based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson, and directed by William J. Christie (based on the original 2015 staging for The Coterie by Jeff Church), playing live on stage at The Coterie, November 5 – December 29, 2019.
After the actors take their bows, the audience is treated to a fun-filled rendition of Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron - a perfect finale to a fabulous show.
We're delighted that The Coterie has once again brought A Charlie Brown Christmas to stage and we hope your family is able to enjoy the show as well.
Take advantage of these free "extras" being offered during the run of A Charlie Brown Christmas (with paid admission):
- Friday, November 8, 7:00 p.m.: Opening Night Celebration. A free post-performance reception with the company, staff, and board of directors.
- Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10, 2:00 p.m.: Question & Answer session. A free Q&A with members of The Coterie’s staff and artistic company will immediately follow the performance.
- Fridays, November 15, 22 and 29, and December 6, 13 ,20, and 27, 7:00 p.m.: Friday Family Fun Night. Post-performance autograph session and photo op with cast members.
- Saturday, November 23, 2:00 p.m.: Interpreted performance in American Sign Language.
A Charlie Brown Christmas is showing at The Coterie thru Dec. 29. Call 816.474.6552 for reservations.
J Robert Schraeder