The 8th and 9th Grade 2016 Northview Musical
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Audition Packet
Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner
Based on The Comic Strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz
Synopsis:
A program note says that the time of the action is “an average day in the life of Charlie Brown.” It really is just that, a day
made up of little moments picked from all the days of Charlie Brown, from Valentine’s Day to baseball season, from wild
optimism to utter despair, all mixed in with the lives of his friends (both human and non-human) and strung together on the
string of a single day, from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening.
It seems to start off all right. After some brief comments on the nature of his character by his friends, Charlie Brown is
swept into their center by a rousing tribute of only slightly qualified praise, in the song, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.
He is then left to his own musings as he eats his lunch on the school playground, complicated unbearably by the distant
presence of his true love, the “little redheaded girl,” who is always just out of sight.
True love also seems to be the only unmanageable element in Lucy’s solid life, which we discover as we watch her try to
bulldoze her way through to her boyfriend’s sensitive, six-year-old musician’s heart, in Schroeder. The little scenes then
begin to accumulate, and we learn that Lucy’s little brother, Linus, is thoughtful about many things but fanatical when it
comes to the matter of his blanket; that Patty is sweet and utterly innocent; and that Charlie Brown’s dog spends much if
not most of his time thinking of being something else-a gorilla, a jungle cat, perhaps a handsome trophy or two-but that
mostly his life is a pleasant one-Snoopy.
The events continue to trickle on. Linus enjoys a private time with his most favorite thing of all-My Blanket and Me, Lucy
generously bothers to inform him of her ambition-of-the-moment, to become a queen with her won queendom, and then
Charlie Brown lurches in for still another bout with his own friendly enemy-The Kite.
Valentine’s Day comes and goes with our hero receiving not one single valentine, which brings him to seek the temporary
relief of Lucy’s five-cent psychiatry booth – The Doctor Is In.
We then watch as four of our friends go through their individual struggles with the homework assignment of writing a
hundred word essay of “Peter Rabbit” in The Book Report.
Act Two roars in with Snoopy lost in another world atop his dog house. As a World War One flying ace he does not bring
down the infamous Red Baron in today’s battle but we know that someday, someday he will.
The day continues. We learn of the chaotic events of the Very Little League’s Baseball Game as Charlie Brown writes the
news to his pen pal. Lucy is moved to conduct a personal survey to find out just how crabby she really is, and all the
group gathers for a misbegotten rehearsal of a song they are to sing in assembly.
It is suppertime, and Snoopy once more discovers what wild raptures just the mere presence of his full supper dish can
send him into. And then it is evening. The gathered friends sing a little about their individual thoughts of happiness and
then they go off, leaving Lucy to make a very un-Lucy-like gesture: she tells Charlie Brown what a good man he is.
None of the cast is actually six years old. And they don’t really look like Charles Schulz’ “Peanuts” cartoon characters. But
this doesn’t seem to make that much difference once we are into the play, because what they are saying to each other is
with the openness of that early childhood time, and the obvious fact is that they are all really quite fond of each other.
Auditions
When:
Friday, March 4, After School
Monday, March 7, Before School
Tuesday, March 8, Before and After School
Wednesday, March 9, After School
Where:
Northview Auditorium
How:
Sign-up for an audition time on the choir board in the music wing
Cast Read-Through:
Thursday, March 10: 3:45pm – 6:00pm in NV Choir Room
First Rehearsal:
Monday, March 21: 3:45pm – 6:00pm in NV Auditorium
Rehearsal Schedule:
Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (usually) from
3:45pm – 6:00pm (Detailed schedule at the end of the packet)
*Dress Rehearsal Week will go later in the evening.
*A Friday or Saturday rehearsal may be added the week
before the performance.
Performance Dates:
Saturday, May 21:
Sunday, May 22:
7:00pm
2:00pm
*You will need to bring the audition permission sheet and conflict sheet at the end of this
packet to your audition. No actors will be allowed to audition without both sheets.
PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY:
Performance dates are May 21 and 22, 2016. Before you try out, check these dates, as well as the
rehearsal dates, with your parents and be sure that you do not have prior commitments. Please list ALL
known conflicts on your conflict sheet.
As a director, I am being very ambitious about choosing a musical this year. This will only work if
you are a committed and dedicated cast member. Everyone is important to the process of putting
this show together. It is very important that if you are asked to be at rehearsal on the schedule,
you are there. If you are asked to memorize something by a certain date, you must do it.
When you audition for a show at Northview Middle School you are auditioning for every role. It’s the
director’s job to cast you or not as he/she sees fit. If you drop out of the show after you have been cast,
you will NOT be eligible to audition for another show at Northview unless you can prove that you can
accept responsibility of being cast in a show. Do not damage your reputation by dropping out .
Sign up for your audition time on the choir board in the music wing. Do not leave open slots. Sign up in
the first available opening. You may be asked to provide portions of your costume. The budget does not
always allow the luxury of providing all costumes needed for each character. If and when costumes are
provided for you, you must take care of them and not get them damaged.
Character Descriptions
Charlie Brown: Male, lead, baritone. Loser, kid, resilient, unaware, disappointed, optimistic, fearful. If
prompted to describe Charlie Brown with a single word, that term would be resilient. Our favorite guy
just never gives up, whether losing his 10,000th game of checkers to Lucy, standing at his mailbox every
February 14th, or blinking with surprise when his baseball team fails to show up during a torrential rain.
Charlie Brown is loyal to his friends, patient with his sister, and dedicated to a dog which only thinks of
him as "that round-headed kid." Charlie Brown is the eternal fall guy we've grown to love, and it's a role
that he bears with unruffled courage and unwavering dignity.
Sally Brown: Female, supporting, mezzo-soprano. Perky, loud, flighty, goofy, careless, stubborn,
overwhelming, comedic. Charlie Brown's sister is in love with Linus. She hit her stride upon entering
school, when she became a symbol for all misguided researchers who mangle their studies -- and the
English language -- en route to some greater truth. Although chronologically younger than most of the
gang, the territorial Sally is quick to establish her rights and seek new horizons.
Lucy Van Pelt: Female, lead, mezzo-soprano. Bossy, know-it-all, trickster, smitten, taunting, in love with
Schroeder ☺ Lucy's early years were dominated by her temper and freight train-sized vocal chords, but
she later became the first character to achieve true political awareness. Whether paying tribute to her
grandmother in a school presentation, or refusing to be exploited on the baseball field, Lucy has become
quite the defender of women's rights. Her unrequited affection for Schroeder will persevere for as long as
he concentrates at the keyboard ... after all, musicians make lots of money! Lucy's character matured
rapidly with the arrival of her own unique gimmick, her 5-cent advice.
Linus Van Pelt: Male, supporting, baritone. Curious, smart, brilliant, intellectual, old soul, quiet, mature,
determined, reserved, shy, in love with blanket ☺ Gentle philosopher, voice of reason ... Linus is, without
question, the collective conscience of his peers. Although often at Lucy's mercy, Linus quickly learned to
use his talents for misdirection and guile; he became skilled at the art of speaking softly and carrying a
blanket (a formidable weapon in its own right). And he was given to many universal truths, none better
than the ageless "I love mankind... it's people I can't stand!"
Schroeder: Male, supporting, tenor. Pianist, prodigy, gifted, dreamer, intelligent, passionate, driven, in
love with Beethoven ☺ Schroeder was the first character in the comic to be given a recurring shtick (the
toy piano that produces impressively complex music) and an ongoing love-slave (the hopelessly
frustrated Lucy). And why Beethoven, rather than Brahms or Bach? Because, as Schulz has explained,
multi-syllable names just sound funnier.
Snoopy: Male or Female, supporting, tenor or soprano. Dog, lazy, self-absorbed, narcissistic, foodobsessed, heroic, noble, melodramatic! In love with supper ☺ For a dog with multiple personalities,
Snoopy is remarkably free of neuroses; the world-famous beagle has pretended to be a dinosaur, snake,
moose, piranha and many others ... even Mickey Mouse. Snoopy usually can be found atop his doghouse.
Whether moonlighting as the Mad Punter or actually voyaging to the moon, Snoopy will always ensure
that Charlie Brown never gets this particular wish: "To just have an ordinary dog, like other people!''And
of Snoopy's many other roles -- the single most memorable would have to be Snoopy sitting atop his
doghouse, pilot's gear pulled over his eyes, charging through the skies in search of the Red Baron.
Other Parts Available: This is a musical. In a musical there are many songs and dances that can be filled
with a “Chorus” of extra characters from the Charlie Brown universe. Other parts available include:
• Chorus Member, Featured Dancer, Choreographer
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Audition Process
Auditions will be held in the auditorium and will happen one at a time. Students
will audition for the director and there will be no one else in the room. When the
person on the audition sign-up sheet exits the auditorium, you may enter right
away, hand your forms to Mr. Joseph and take your place at the very front of the
stage. Make sure to introduce yourself and be confident and friendly!
Each 10 minute audition will consist of three sections:
1. Meet and Greet
• During this time Mr. Joseph will welcome you and get to know you
and your experience.
• Make sure to bring up all of your performing experiences, including
acting, singing and dancing.
• Don’t worry if you have little to no experience. Everyone’s got to
start somewhere, right? ☺
2. Singing Portion
• Make sure to prepare a solo for your audition
• It must be from a musical, but it’s your choice!
• You will sing for 90 seconds so make sure to pick your best 90
seconds possible.
• Make sure to show off your acting ability during your solo. BE the
character and show what makes you stand out as a performer.
• Sing with accompaniment: karaoke track or YouTube karaoke track.
i. Please provide Mr. Joseph with the mp3 or YouTube address
via email at least 2 days before your audition so he can prepare
for you: [email protected]
3. Acting Portion
• Make sure to prepare a monologue from the next page. (It does not
need to be memorized)
• Mr. Joseph will hear you perform your monologue and may ask you
to read a scene with him afterwards.
• Don’t be nervous, show off how amazing of an actor you are.
• Be sure to make good acting choices and stay genuine. Be a real
person and act how you think your character would act.
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Monologues
Please be familiar with all of the following monologues that correspond to your gender (everyone should
be familiar with Snoopy’s monologue), but choose one to prepare for your audition. You do not have to
memorize it. At the audition, you will perform the monologue once. After you have done the monologue,
you may be asked to do it again or or be asked to perform another monologue from this selection.
*Remember, take risks and don’t hold anything back! I look forward to seeing you at the auditions!
Sally Brown
A 'C'? A 'C'? I got a 'C' on my coat hanger sculpture? How could anyone get a 'C'
in coat hanger sculpture? May I ask a question? Was I judged on the piece of
sculpture itself? If so, is it not true that time alone can judge a work of art? Or
was I judged on my talent? If so, is it fair that I be judged on a part of my life
over which I have no control? If I was judged on my effort, then I was judged
unfairly, for I tried as hard as I could! Was I judged on what I had learned about
this project? If so, then were not you, my teacher, also being judged on your
ability to transmit your knowledge to me? Are you willing to share my 'C'?
Perhaps I was being judged on the quality of coat hanger itself out of which my
creation was made...now is this not also unfair? Am I to be judged by the
quality of coat hangers that are used by the dry cleaning establishment that
returns our garments? Is that not the responsibility of my parents? Should they
not share my 'C'?
Lucy Van Pelt
Do you know what I intend? I intend to be a queen. When I grow up I’m going
to be the biggest queen there ever was, and I’ll live in a big palace and when I
go out in my coach, all the people will wave and I will shout at them,
and...and...in the summertime I will go to my summer palace and I’ll wear my
crown in swimming and everything, and all the people will cheer and I will
shout at them... What do you mean I can’t be queen? Nobody should be kept
from being a queen if she wants to be one. It’s usually just a matter of knowing
the right people....well.... if I can’t be a queen, then I’ll be very rich then I will
buy myself a queendom. Yes, I will buy myself a queendom and then I’ll kick
out the old queen and take over the whole operation myself. I will be head
queen.
Snoopy
Here's the World One I flying ace high over France in his Sopwith Camel,
searching for the infamous Red Baron! I must bring him down! Suddenly, antiaircraft fire, 'archie' we used to called it, begins to burst beneath my plane. The
Red Baron has spotted me. Nyahh, Nyahh, Nyahh! You can't hit me! (aside)
Actually, tough flying aces never say 'Nyahh, Nyahh, Nyahh'. I just,
ah...Drat this fog! It's bad enough having to fight the Red Baron without
having to fly in weather like this! All right, Red Baron! Where are you?
You can't hide forever! Ah, the sun has broken through...I can see the
woods of Montsec below...and what's that? It's a Fokker triplane! Ha! I've
got you this time, Red Baron (SFX: machine gun fire) Aaugh! He's diving
down out of the sun! He's tricked me again! I've got to run! Come on Sopwith
Camel, let's go! Go, Camel, go! I can't shake him! He's riddling my plane with
bullets! (SFX: machine gun fire) Curse you, Red Baron! Curse you and your
kind! Curse the evil that causes all this unhappiness! (SFX: plane engine
sputtering towards silence) Here's the World War I flying ace back at the
aerodrome in France, he is exhausted and yet he does not sleep, for one
thought continues to burn in his mind...Someday, someday I'll get you, Red
Baron!
Charlie Brown
I think lunchtime is about the worst time of day for me. Always having to sit here alone.
Of course, sometimes, mornings aren't so pleasant either. Waking up and wondering if
anyone would really miss me if I never got out of bed. Then there's the night, too. Lying
there and thinking about all the stupid things I've done during the day. And all those
hours in between when I do all those stupid things. Well, lunchtime is among the worst
times of the day for me. Well, I guess I'd better see what I've got. Peanut butter. Some
psychiatrists say that people who eat peanut butter sandwiches are lonely...I guess
they're right. And when you're really lonely, the peanut butter sticks to the roof of your
mouth. There's that cute little red-headed girl eating her lunch over there. I wonder
what she would do if I went over and asked her if I could sit and have lunch with
her?...She'd probably laugh right in my face...it's hard on a face when it gets laughed in.
There's an empty place next to her on the bench. There's no reason why I couldn't just
go over and sit there. I could do that right now. All I have to do is stand up...I'm
standing up!...I'm sitting down. I'm a coward. I'm so much of a coward, she wouldn't
even think of looking at me. She hardly ever does look at me. In fact, I can't remember
her ever looking at me. Why shouldn't she look at me? Is there any reason in the world
why she shouldn't look at me? Is she so great, and I'm so small, that she can't spare one
little moment?...SHE'S LOOKING AT ME!! SHE'S LOOKING AT ME!! (he puts his lunch
bag over his head.)
You’re
You re a Good Man,
Man, Charlie Brown
Audition Form
*MUST turn in at your audition*
First & Last Name_____________________________________________________________________
Email Address_________________________________________________________________________
Parent Email__________________________________________________________________________
If not cast as a lead or supporting role, would you
still like to be in the chorus?
Yes_______
No________
Would you like to be considered for a featured
dancer role? (must also be in the chorus)
Yes_______
No________
Would you like to be considered to choreograph a
song for the show? (must also be in the chorus)
Yes_______
No________
Are you willing to accept any role?
Yes_______
No________
Lucy Van Pelt (f):
Sally Brown (f):
Snoopy (m/f):
_____
_____
_____
If not, which roles will you accept?
Charlie Brown (m): _____
Linus Van Pelt (m): _____
Schroeder (m):
_____
I have carefully read the audition packet and fully understand its contents. I also
understand that rehearsals for “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” will be held after school
during the months of March, April and May. I am also aware of the performance dates, May
21 and 22. It is clear to me that my participation in the audition process indicates a
willingness to accept any role in the cast.
(Student Signature)
I am aware that my son/daughter is auditioning for “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and
that rehearsals will be held after school during the months of March, April and May. I am
also aware of the performance dates, May 21 and 22.
(Parent Signature)
You’re
You re a Good Man Charlie Brown
Conflict Form
*MUST turn in at your audition*
Please provide any/all specific, non-recurring conflicts with the rehearsal
schedule in this space. Be very specific about dates and times:
What recurring conflicts might you have with after-school rehearsals? Be
VERY specific and HONEST about times and dates. Availability is crucial and
will impact casting decisions. Conflicts are NOT permissible during dress
rehearsal week.
Monday
3:45pm
4:00pm
4:30pm
5:00pm
5:30pm
6:00pm
Tuesday
Thursday
You’re
ou re a Good Man,
Man, Charlie Brown
Schedule
Friday, March 4
Monday, March 7
Tuesday, March 8
Wednesday, March 9
Auditions after School
Auditions before School
Auditions before and after School
Auditions after School
Thursday, March 10
CAST LIST POSTED
Thursday, March 10
3:45pm-6:00pm: Cast Read-Through
Week One, 3:45 - 6
Monday, March 21
Tuesday, March 22
Thursday, March 24
The Six: vocal rehearsal
Entire cast: vocal rehearsal
The Six: vocal rehearsal
Week Two, 3:45 - 6
Monday, March 28
Tuesday, April 29
Thursday, April 31
Entire cast: vocal rehearsal
The Six: blocking rehearsal
The Six: blocking rehearsal
Week Three, 3:45 - 6
Monday, April 4
Tuesday, April 5
Thursday, April 7
Entire cast: blocking rehearsal
Entire cast: blocking rehearsal
The Six: blocking rehearsal
Week Four, 3:45 - 6
Monday, April 11
Tuesday, April 12
Thursday, April 14
The Six: blocking rehearsal
Entire Cast: blocking rehearsal
Entire Cast: blocking rehearsal
Week Five, 3:45 - 6
Monday, April 18
Tuesday, April 19
Thursday, April 21
The Six: blocking rehearsal
The Six: blocking rehearsal
Entire Cast: blocking rehearsal
Week Six, 3:45 - 6
Monday, April 25
Tuesday, April 26
Thursday, April 28
Entire Cast: blocking rehearsal
The Six: blocking rehearsal
Act 1 complete run-through
Week Seven, 3:45 - 6
Monday, May 2
Tuesday, May 3
Thursday, May 5
Act 2 complete run-through
Act 1 complete run-through
Act 2 complete run-through
Week Eight, 3:45 - 7
Monday, May 9
Tuesday, May 10
Thursday, May 11
Act 1 complete run-through, twice
Act 2 complete run-through, twice
Full show run-through
Week Nine – Tech Week, 3:45 – we are done
Monday, May 16
Full show run-through with tech, no costumes
Tuesday, May 17
No rehearsal
Thursday, May 19
Full show run-through with costume, make-up & tech
Friday, May 20
(If we need it) Full show run-through with costume,
make-up and tech
Performances
Saturday, May 21
Sunday, May 22
7:00pm Curtain Time
2:00pm Curtain Time