From left, Kerri Batche (Snoopy), Danielle McGovern (Linus), Nikole Rizzo-DeLuca (Sally), Jasper Fernandes (Schroeder), Alexis Rizzo (Lucy), Matt North (Charlie Brown), Leah Buck (Marcy) and Natalie Crespolini (Pig Pen) play baseball.
(ROXBURY, NJ) -- Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang explore life's great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes, and celebrate the joy of friendship in the Roxbury Arts Alliance's production of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, running May 10-18, 2025.
The show features multiple casts that earned their roles by showcasing their take on the classic Charles Schultz characters.
"Theater is the most inclusive activity I know, and it was important to me that this production reflect that and offer as many opportunities where we can to the widest variety of people," Director Russ Crespolini said.
In order to do that, Crespolini put together a roster of 18 performers split amongst three casts.
"I swear I'm not crazy. But multiple casts mean the actors get to play different roles in different productions," Crespolini said.
There was also a more practical reason for doing so.
"Illness. I was in a production of a play in 2022 that lost an entire weekend because a performer had COVID and refused to return until he deemed it safe," Crespolini said. "This way, we have plenty of coverage and can mix and match as needed without the audience even noticing. Because everyone we cast worked so hard to be prepared."
Fortunately for Crespolini, producer and music director Dar Yannetta and choreographer Allanna Mariano went along with the idea.
"We cast a Peanuts cast of 18 and up, a Weenuts cast of 18 and under that will serve as ensemble in the adult show and play principals in their own production and Standby/Understudy cast that will perform in the ensemble of the Weenuts cast and get their own performance as principals," Crespolini said. "I wanted the understudies to get a performance of their own. They put in the work, they deserve it."
From left, Lexsi Mariano (Snoopy), Jasper Fernandes (Schroeder), Jenny Kildea (Sally), Natalie Crespolini (Charlie Brown), Milo Lipman (Linus) and Melania Leotta (Lucy) celebrate Beethoven Day.
The run will also feature a sensory-friendly performance on Sunday, May 18. This performance is designed to accommodate individuals with sensory sensitivities, such as those on the autism spectrum or with other sensory processing differences. It involves modifications to the performance environment, including adjustments to lighting, sound, and other sensory elements, to create a more comfortable and accessible experience for everyone.
"Our producer floated the idea to us and as a cast and as a team we all leapt at the opportunity," Crespolini said. "Everyone should be able to experience theater."
You're A Good Man Charlie Brown plays Saturday, May 10 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm; Sunday May 11 at 2:00pm; Saturday May 17 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm and closes with a sensory-friendly performance on Sunday, May 18 at 2:00pm. General admission is $27.25 and children under 18 are only $11.50. Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling (973) 945-0284.All shows will be held at the Citizens Bank Theater located within the Horseshoe Lake municipal complex at 72 Eyland Ave, Succasunna, New Jersey.
From left, Alexis Rizzo (Lucy), Danielle McGovern (Linus), Nikole Rizzo-DeLuca (Sally), watch Jasper Fernandes (Schroeder) take Matt North (Charlie Brown) to task
CAST MEMBERS:
Peanuts Cast (performing May 10 at 7:00pm, May 17-18* at 2:00pm) includes Matthew North (Charlie Brown), Alexis Rizzo (Lucy), Danielle McGovern (Linus), Jasper Fernandes (Schroeder), Nikole Rizzo-DeLuca (Sally), Kerri Batche (Snoopy), Natalie Crespolini (Pig Pen), Melania Leotta (Peppermint Patty), Milo Lipman (Shermie), Jenny Kildea (Freida), Lexsi Mariano (Woodstock), and Leah Buck (Marcy).
Weenuts Cast (performing on May 10-11 at 2:00pm and May 17 at 7:00pm) includes Natalie Crespolini (Charlie Brown), Melania Leotta (Lucy), Milo Lipman (Linus), Jasper Fernandes (Schroeder),
Jenny Kildea (Sally), Lexsi Mariano (Snoopy), Caitlin Ferrentino (Pig Pen), Sabrina Morales (Peppermint Patty), Micah Millard (Shermie), Cecily Denton (Freida), Vienna Mariano (Woodstock), and Leah Buck (Marcy).
While not known to many, the Roxbury Arts Alliance has been home to amateur and professional artists for nearly 30 years. The venue, Citizens Bank Theater located within the Horseshoe Lake municipal complex, features family entertainment, including concerts, poetry readings, comedy revues, and stage performances in an intimate theater setting.
"We also do outdoor summer concerts," Yannetta said. "We are a volunteer run 501(c) (3), non-profit organization. All of our programming, theater upkeep and repairs are paid for through public and private supporters, grants, and donations."
Crespolini, who lives in a neighboring community, saw a show in the space and knew he wanted to get involved.
"I swear they hide this place. You have to enter under the Senior Center sign when you come into Horseshoe Lake, but it is such a nice space for the arts," Crespolini said. "And the ticket prices, compared to a lot of theaters I have been involved with, are super cheap."
From left, Jenny Kildea (Sally), Lexsi Mariano (Snoopy), Milo Lipman (Linus), Natalie Crespolini (Charlie Brown), Jasper Fernandes (Schroeder) and Melania Leotta (Lucy) share their thoughts on happiness.
ALL PHOTOS BY Amanda Lange Photography
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