The Peanuts Gang Hits Boyle Heights

By Kenneth Quan

Within the small confines of a theatre on the outer fringes of Downtown Los Angeles, east of the 10 Freeway, a curious thing is happening. Right in the heart of Boyle Heights, a new ambitious multi-ethnic, multi-cultural theatrical ensemble is devoting great doses of ambition and foresight mixed in with a huge shot of talent to bring professionally produced plays and musicals to the impoverished area. The Diversity Players' sole mission is to reflect our social differences and similarities in a highly entertaining environment; to put it plainly, a theatre with a sense of social responsibility at its core. The group does so effectively with its inaugural undertaking of the classic musical "You're Good Man, Charlie Brown!" based on the Charles M. Shultz "Peanuts" comic strip.

It was at once apparent that the strength of the cast's singing, dancing and acting allowed them to make the characters their own yet remaining faithful to their doppelgangers' characteristics. The triple-threat ensemble's strong and melodious voices echoed throughout the theatre as their expertly performed dance movements dazzled the audience. The physical dissimilarity between the cast members and their comic strip counterparts may have, at first, been distracting but gradually that initial apprehension soon faded away. The cast members had put in the time, effort and enthusiasm to successfully bring a very effective and rousing performance.

View the full review on the Asia Pacific Arts Website.