‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ comes to life in Bryn Athyn

For kids raised on the magic of CGI and characters who overcome scientific reality—like gravity—on a regular basis, live theater productions still have the power to awe, delight and inspire. And for heartwarming holiday entertainment, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” performed live on stage by a cast of young people could be your family’s most remembered leisure activity this season.

This December, students at the Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools (ANCSS) are bringing the characters and message of the beloved 1965 animated television special to “live action” in four colorful performances December 1-3 at Mitchell Performing Arts Center (MPAC) in Bryn Athyn. At roughly 60 minutes and no intermission, the show, with its always timely message of perseverance and hope, is perfect for all ages and attention spans.

In addition, ANCSS is experimenting with something different this year: Each of the six main characters is played by two actors who split the role from scene to scene, instead of the more common practice of playing the role for an entire performance.

“At ANCSS, our philosophy is that ‘It’s Everyone’s Play, So Everyone Plays,’” says Baird Kistner, director. “So when we had a bumper crop of students audition this year, we decided to embrace the enthusiasm and commitment. We cast everyone, double-casting the larger roles.”

He points out that watching a stage show with a 16-year-old girl playing the part of a loveable beagle already requires a “suspension of disbelief” that audiences of all ages have willingly participated in many times before. He avers that accepting dual Charlie Browns and Lucies shouldn’t be that different. Plus, he says, “It gets students on the stage who may not otherwise have ever tried it.”

“It’s definitely not the small, simple show we had anticipated. Thank goodness, because where’s the challenge in that?”

Sharing six roles are Galen Stevens-King and Zach Lambertus (Charlie Brown), Brielle Williams and Gretchen Roscoe (Lucy), Brianna Salvatori and Serena Boyesen (Patty), Camryn Buss and Aurelle Odhner (Sally), Rayna Synnestvedt and Hayden Hoffman (Linus) and Teryn Rose and Isabelle Kline (Marcie). Ava Elder plays Snoopy.

The show opens at 8pm on Thursday, December 1, and continues with three more performances: 8pm Friday, December 2, and 4pm and 7pm Saturday, December 3.

Tickets are $10, $8 for students and children. Purchase online at www.ANCSS.org, by phone at 267.502.4810 or at the door. Use the coupon code “Lucy” at checkout for a $4 discount on all tickets opening night; “like” ANC Performing Arts’ Facebook page for early discounts on other performances. MPAC is at 800 Tomlinson Rd, Bryn Athyn 19009.

This year’s production of A Charlie Brown Christmas is directed by Baird Kistner, assisted by Simon Daum. Set Design & Construction is by ANCSS StageCraft Class (taught by Chris Waelchli) and Costume Designer is Judy Merrell. The show is produced by Sarah Cooper Waelchli.

Performing Arts at ANC
The Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools’ robust arts program includes not only classes in instrumental, choral and dance but also two plays a year, a year-round dance team, two-week summer acting camp for middle-schoolers and an intensive Performing Arts Portfolio class taught by the co-directors.

Students interested in the backstage aspects of theater can take courses in set design or costuming. They can also participate as members of the stage crew or by joining the sound and lighting team.

Caption: Ava Elder, a junior from StonyCreek, Michigan, plays the beloved beagle Snoopy in this December’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Credit: Sarah Cooper Waelchli for ANCSS