Good Grief and Great Joy: Hastings High’s ‘Charlie Brown’ Musical Delights and Inspires
Promotional artwork for Hastings High School’s production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, which ran May 2–4 at the HHS auditorium. The show is based on Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip and featured familiar characters like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, and the whole gang.
Hastings High School’s auditorium was filled with laughter, music, and a few happy tears last weekend as students brought the beloved Peanuts gang to life on stage. The school’s spring musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” played to enthusiastic audiences on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 at 7:00 pm, and a matinee on Sunday, May 4 at 2:00 pm. For one weekend only, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Sally, and Schroeder sang and danced their way into the hearts of the Hastings community. It was a performance filled with youthful energy and a poignant sense of celebration – especially as it marked the final high school show for several graduating seniors in the cast and crew.
The Peanuts Gang Takes the Stage
From the moment the curtain opened, the audience was transported into the cheerful world of Peanuts. The stage was bright with simple blue skies and cartoon clouds, instantly evoking the classic comic strip scenes. Senior Axton Bauer charmed the crowd in the title role as Charlie Brown, exclaiming “good grief!” at his comedic mishaps and winning everyone over with his earnest quest to be a “good man.” Malia Slapnicher brought spunk and impeccable comic timing as Charlie’s little sister Sally, especially during her show-stopping song “My New Philosophy.” As Lucy Van Pelt, Molly Reynolds had the audience in stitches with Lucy’s signature bossiness and sly grin – whether she was offering psychiatric advice for 5¢ or belting out her crush on the piano-playing Schroeder. Jack Sawyer was endearing as blanket-toting Linus, delivering a sweet rendition of “My Blanket and Me” (complete with an impressive dance with his trusty blanket in hand). Nathan Barker lent a thoughtful presence as the Beethoven-obsessed Schroeder, and Dylan Brasher, dressed in a sly grin and some doggy ears, practically stole the show as Snoopy – earning spontaneous applause during his big jazzy number “Suppertime” and every time he did the happy dance. Each young actor truly embodied their character, making the audience feel like the comic strip had sprung to life on the Hastings stage.
Cast and Crew Spotlight
The production showcased a broad team of talented students, from lead actors to backstage crew, all working together to make “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” a success. Here’s a look at who’s who in the Hastings High production:
Charlie Brown – Axton Bauer
Sally Brown – Malia Slapnicher
Lucy Van Pelt – Molly Reynolds
Linus Van Pelt – Jack Sawyer
Schroeder – Nathan Barker
Snoopy – Dylan Brasher
Peanuts Ensemble: Audrey Smith, Chloe De Leon, Elena Montejo, Emma Mentzos, Isaac Bushberger, Jo Bauer, Kaitlyn Boyd, Lexi Degree, Lilah Delaska, Marilu Kivi, Mike Radspinner, Nelaiah Monjeau, Norah Bushberger, Olivia Carter, PJ LeBuhn, Rachel Fischer, Sunny Weston, Wills Nelson, and Zen Allen.
“Dancing Peanuts” (Featured Dancers): Briseis Rusnacko, Violet Girgen, and Willow Hunter.
Student Technicians & Crew: Kylie Greenslade, Kimberly King, Zona Kivi, and Kara Greenslade.
Pit Orchestra: Sarah Lockwood (Piano), Josh Wahlstrom (Percussion), Bryce Sanville (Violin/Viola), Dave Carbonara (Bass), and Brian Handeland (Reed).
Production Staff: Directors – Elizabeth Damico Carper & Molly McElroy; Choreographer – Bridget Cushman; Pit Director – Sarah Lockwood; Technical Director – Cara Anderson; Lighting Designer – Mark Kieffer. (Special thanks were also extended to Chris Moore, the HHS Music Department, and the custodial staff and administration for their support.)
A Night of Laughter, Tears, and School Spirit
The colorful cast of Hastings High’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” brings energy and heart to the stage during a musical number. From Snoopy’s happy dance to Lucy’s comical advice booth, the production had the audience laughing out loud and cheering on their favorite Peanuts characters. Image by HastingsNow.com
Each performance was met with hearty applause and even some standing ovations, as proud parents, teachers, and classmates showed their support. The audience was a mix of all ages – from current students to alumni and long-time residents – a testament to how strongly the community embraces Hastings High’s theater program. Between numbers, you could hear children giggling at Snoopy’s antics and adults chuckling knowingly at Linus’s philosophical one-liners. It was the kind of warm, communal atmosphere where everyone felt connected through the joy of the show.
For the senior members of the cast and crew, the weekend was especially bittersweet. This production marked the final time these seniors would grace the high school stage before graduation. Emotions ran high during the final Sunday matinee curtain call, as the seniors received bouquets and extra cheers from the crowd and their fellow castmates. There were tears of joy and nostalgia as they took their last bow, closing out their high school performing careers on a high note. “Happiness,” the musical’s finale, had a special resonance in that moment – “you’re a good man, Charlie Brown,” the cast sang together, celebrating not just the character but the real-life friendships and memories forged in rehearsals and performances. It was an emotional farewell for the Class of 2025 performers, who leave behind a proud legacy of creativity and school spirit.
Minnesota Roots of the Peanuts Creator
While the Peanuts gang feels like old friends to people around the world, many Hastings locals take extra pride in the fact that their creator has Minnesota roots. Cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, who dreamed up Charlie Brown and his pals, was born in Minneapolis in 1922 and raised in Saint Paul srcity.org. Long before Peanuts hit the big time, Schulz was a Midwesterner with a big imagination – he even taught at an art school in Minneapolis after World War II, where he worked alongside friends named Charlie and Linus (sound familiar?) srcity.org. The first Peanuts comic strip was published in 1950, and over the decades Schulz’s characters became American icons, known for finding humor and heart in the simple ups and downs of life. It’s no wonder that a story born from Schulz’s experiences in Minnesota would eventually make its way back to a Minnesota high school stage. Hastings students had the chance to step into the shoes of these timeless characters, bringing a bit of Schulz’s legacy home.
From Broadway to Hastings: The Musical’s Journey
The stage musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” itself has an interesting history. It began life off-Broadway in 1967 as a charming series of songs and vignettes based on the Peanuts comics, with book, music and lyrics by Clark Gesner concordtheatricals.com. Years later, in 1999, the show was revived on Broadway in a fresh new version directed by Michael Mayer with additional dialogue and songs to update it for a new generation concordtheatricals.com. (The revival famously earned Tony Awards for Kristin Chenoweth as Sally and Roger Bart as Snoopy.) The version that Hastings High performed is this revised edition – featuring the upbeat song “My New Philosophy” and the rousing ensemble number “Beethoven Day,” which were added by composer Andrew Lippa in the 1999 production concordtheatricals.com. The official production credits note that the original direction for this version was by Michael Mayer, and it was originally produced in New York by Arthur Whitelaw and Gene Persson concordtheatricals.com.
Staging this musical at the high school required obtaining the rights, and Hastings High proudly did so through the show’s publisher. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC (the official licensing house) – a fact acknowledged in the program and on the Concord Theatricals website (www.concordtheatricals.com). By securing these rights, the school ensured that the production met professional standards and honored the creators’ work. From the catchy tunes like “Suppertime” to the heartfelt ballad “Happiness,” the students delivered a performance true to the spirit of the musical that charmed Broadway audiences decades ago.
Celebrating Youth Talent and Arts Education
In the end, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at Hastings High was more than just a school play – it was a community celebration of young talent and the power of arts education. The production brought together students from different grades, each contributing their skills whether onstage under the spotlight or behind the scenes in the tech booth or orchestra pit. Parents and teachers have noted how participating in theater builds confidence, teamwork, and creativity in students. This was evident as the cast and crew worked in harmony to pull off comedic scenes, musical harmonies, and even dance sequences with a polish beyond their years.
As the seniors move on and the underclassmen look ahead to future shows, Hastings can be proud of the strong tradition of performing arts at the high school. Principal, staff, and the HHS Music/Theater Department all rallied behind the production, showing how deeply the school values the arts alongside academics and athletics. The enthusiastic turnout and standing ovations all weekend proved that the community values it too. From Charlie Brown’s very first “good grief” to the final chorus of “Happiness,” the students of Hastings High School created something truly special. Happiness is watching your hometown kids shine on stage, and this spring, Hastings audiences got to experience just that – leaving the theater with full hearts, proud smiles, and maybe a tear or two, knowing that in all of our Charlie Browns, these kids were the Charlie Browniest.
★ HastingsNow congratulates the entire cast, crew, and pit orchestra of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” on a fantastic show. Thank you for bringing such joy and artistry to our community!
