YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

By Miriam Jacobson

Ed LaBay's by-the-book production of Clark M. Gesner's musical, based on Charles M. Schulz's "Peanuts" comic strip, has plenty of soul to make up for the shoestring budget. LaBay does a lot with a little, using black plywood blocks and 99-Cent Store props to effectively re-create the familiar scenes. The perfectly cast ensemble is true to form, although Peter Liptak's Charlie Brown is so adorable, it's hard to believe that the little redheaded girl he secretly admires doesn't just throw herself at him.

The talented ensemble of singers easily pulls off the mostly sappy musical numbers, with "The Book Report" and Snoopy's (Reggie De Leon) "Suppertime" being the standout tunes.

View the full review on the LA Weekly's website.