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“This has become a tradition for groups and families as we enter our sixth year of performances,” said Gina Neuerer, Chair of Sinclair’s Music, Theatre and Dance Department. “We’re thrilled that people are gathering friends and family to come to Blair Hall to experience this very special holiday event together.”
“I think this material has endured for generations because, really, we are all some character in (this show),” said director Gina Kleesattel. “It is always relatable. We know what it feels like to be ‘the odd man out’ like Charlie, or to have a big sister who picks on us like Linus, and to just want everything to be whatever our definition of ‘right’ is – like all these characters. We learn to cover up some our emotions and reactions as we get older, but the Charlie Brown characters are still children and get to express what we are thinking. It never gets outdated.”
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The cast includes Christopher Koehler as Charlie Brown, Christopher Levitt as Snoopy, Kiarra Matos as Lucy, Austin Vega as Linus, Devanté Wheaton as Pig Pen, Sabrina Smith as Frieda, Nic Mellott as Schroeder, Rebecca Shelley as Violet, Riley Karr as Sally, Leia Gaddis as Patty, and Carter Paige as Shermy.
“This year’s cast is hilarious and came to the show already being good friends,” Kleesattel said. “So, the relationships are there, which is fun. … ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’ always makes me so happy to go back to Sinclair and create this show to share with the community.”
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Artistic team includes choreographer Rodney Veal, music director David Brush and scenic designer Terry Stump.
Performances are 7 p.m. Friday, 2, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday, and 12 noon Monday. Also, in partnership with Sinclair’s American Sign Language Department, Sinclair will provide ASL shadow-interpreted performances Friday, Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.). Shadow interpreting is when interpreters follow actors onstage while interpreting, instead of being located to the side of the action. Onstage interpreters include Annelise Wilimitis as Charlie Brown, Cecelia Shannon as Lucy, Shayla Kohut as Linus, and Destinie Warren as all other characters.
All seats are reserved at $8 each and the regular house policy of “no children under 6” has been lifted. However, patrons of all ages must have a ticket. Tickets are available online at Sinclair.edu/tickets. Groups of 20 or more call (937) 512-2076.
For more information, call the Sinclair Box Office at (937) 512-2808.
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