You all remember my big sister, right?
She’s the marvelous mother of Beatrice, Moses, Augustine and Rowan. She’s the lady who keeps me both happy and humble. Also, spending an afternoon with her and her four small babes always leaves me feeling so much respect for her and Caleb and the great challenge of adoption to which the Lord has called them. She’s got a lot of little people – a lot of diapers and sippy cups and car seats and laundry. She also happens to be really talented when it comes to all things theatre. She’s an amazing lady. I like her a lot.
Rebecca heads the drama department at Franklin Classical School and this Spring they’re putting on my favey fave musical, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. I like to think she picked it for me. Probably not.
Rebecca is directing the show, she made all the costumes herself, AND she’s playing her flute (she’s so good!) in the orchestra. And since she can’t do it all (ha!), Caleb built the sets (he nailed them. pun intended.) and my dear and loving Lizzie the Dancer (you remember her? our co-nanny extraordinaire?) is the choreographer. Have I mentioned that I am surrounded by some killer talent? Y’all.
I know most of you are scattered across the country if not the globe, so only the lucky few locals will get to come and see the production (the show is Tuesday, Thursday and Friday this week at 6pm at Christ Community Church). But just for funsies, I wanted to share this bit of my sister with you. Below is her director’s note for the show, for your enjoyment:
A.A. Milne once said, “Comedy plays close to the white hot fire of truth.”
Truth hurts. The important work of laughing and playing brings us into its presence without us noticing until it’s too late.
Laughter lets us see our faults without being offended, and because the truth in comedy comes gently, my pride is disarmed and I find myself humbly agreeing. If I am told outright, “Rebecca, you are a super crab”, I find myself too proud to learn. But when I am able to see myself, like Lucy, bossy, crabby, and leaning across the piano to get my way, I laugh and admit that I am a mess.
Charles Schultz draws us into disarming comedy through his engaging gang of Peanuts characters. This musical was first performed in 1967 with a book and lyrics written by Clark Gesner based on Charles Shultz’s famous comic strip. Then, joyfully, in 1998, the musical was revised and two great new songs were added (My New Philosophy and Beethoven Day). The new show won two Tony awards.
The score to “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” includes classic songs like the 11th hour celebration, “Suppertime”, and the warm ending, “Happiness”.
In the midst of all the laughter, blanket-stealing, and teasing, the story contains some captivating themes and enduring characters. Part of the appeal of this musical is the obvious fondness the characters have for each other and their open way of relating. It is refreshing to see characters simply play.
Charlie Brown manages a perpetually losing baseball team, can never muster enough courage to talk to the little red headed girl, and continually gets grief from his friends—yet he keeps hoping. Charlie Brown’s hopes are the appealing constant in his story. His hope is rooted in honesty and humility. His character gives voice to the feeling we all get from time to time after an evening out, “Why am I such a blockhead?” But we, like Charlie Brown, get out and hope again tomorrow.
Snoopy lives in a world of his own imagination, and is the only character from the comic strip who is “cool”. When he is happy, he’s not afraid to show it. He is all raw enthusiasm
Lucy is crabby and bossy, and her one weakness is her love for Schroeder.
Charles Shultz said that Peppermint Patty is the part of us that blunders through life with blinders on.
Linus, the philosopher, is well-informed and gently dispenses his wisdom to his friends. He is probably the most hurt when the others let him down. Perhaps this is why he is the most insecure and needs a security blanket.
Charles Schultz said of Woodstock, “he knows that he is very small and inconsequential indeed. It’s a problem we all have. The universe boggles us…Woodstock is a lighthearted expression of that idea”
Schroeder is straightforward and forthright. He loves Beethoven and fends off Lucy at all costs.
Sally has a pragmatic take on life. She sees a failure with her jump rope with the chilling desolation that only a five-year-old can. The only flight of fancy in her life is her adoration for Linus, her sweet Babboo.
All these unique characters show us different sides of ourselves. Schultz’s comedy allows us to see our own faults, but laugh. His characters remind me that I live in need of grace, because like Charlie Brown, I strike out again and again. But I’m so happy to do it in the company of good friends.
Thank you for coming!
Rebecca Faires, Super Crab
Spring 2012
I’ll be there tomorrow (Tuesday) night for sure and probably Thursday and/or Friday, too. I’m excited to take Oliver – I think he’s totally going to dig it!
Happy Monday, friends! It’s good to be back!
Oh how I love a good musical! This is also one of my faves; I bet it’s going to be great! Too bad it’s more than an evening drive away :( I am going to tell my aunt about it though. She grew up on the stage and I know her 4 young kiddos would love it! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca, if you’re reading this, please know that I want to be like you when I grow up and also, can we talk about your coat? Because it is the end all and be all of coats, world without end, Amen. Break a leg, lady. Love ya.
no way! congrats & good luck to your amazingly stylish sis.
Oooo, minus the whole living in San Diego thing I would so be there! How fun. (and I think I just began to like that show even a bit more after reading your sister’s blurb…).
So glad that you are back….missed reading your blog while you were gone. I almost cried when I read that you were moving and I haven’t even met you. :) So glad that your staying! Looking forward to your posts.