Reviewer: Chloë Cerva
Based on Charles M. Schulz’s iconic Peanuts comics, this musical feels like stepping into the comic strip itself. The show is built from quick, playful scenes, each one capturing the humor, innocence, and quirks of childhood. That format makes it light, breezy, and suprisingly sweet.
The staging is quite energetic throughout, characters run, dance, stomp, and even howl (Snoopy!) their way across the stage, keeping the pace lively and fun. My favorite is when they do their very memorable Peanuts dances. Costumes stood out to me, colorful, cartoon-like, and instantly recognizable, they strike the perfect balance between Schulz’s drawings and real life.
The music is where the production really shines. Every number landed thanks to a cast brimming with talent. Each performer brought strong vocals, warmth, and a genuine sense of personality, so that the characters never felt like caricatures but rather beloved friends. Charlie’s anxious but wanting to be seen, Sally’s bursting, bubbling personality, Linus being a genius baby, sucking his thumb but able to write the most thorough book report, Schroeder being a Beethoven loving sweetheart, Lucy being her bold, sweet and salty self, and Snoopy being iconic as ever lying (and dancing, and singing) on his doghouse.
Part of the magic lies in how timeless the story feels. Even though Schulz’s comics debuted decades ago, the themes of friendship, insecurity, and kindness still resonate today. This production doesn’t just bring nostalgia, it reminds us why Charlie Brown and his friends have endured for generations.
It’s rare to find a show that leaves you without a single complaint, but this one was polished, funny, and moving. This musical is perfect for every age. Many big laughs and cheers from the crowd throughout the show. No matter who you are you’ll leave with a smile on your face and maybe even a tear in your eye. After all, he really is a good man, Charlie Brown.
Source: Saginaw Art Museum & Gardens