This past two weekends, Liberty’s theatre production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown entertained and brought sheer joy to the audience. This musical, with witty, heartwarming scenes, brought the nostalgia of Peanuts and Charlie Brown’s journey of learning self-acceptance and love.
This production led by our theatre director Perry Ware in partnership with our chorale director Tim Williams mixed the talents of the two groups of students with an impressive, professional show. At intermission a student from the audience said, “I just can’t stop smiling.” Also in the audience Saturday night was counselor Jennifer Ayres. She said, “It was the cutest play I’ve ever seen! Liberty has some very talented students and a great teacher in Perry Ware.”
What made this production even more special was that it is the last of the legendary Perry Ware’s as a Liberty theatre teacher. He will retire from teaching at the end of the month. When asked how many productions he has put on, he said, “It is hard to count. I have done three to four every year of my 39 year career.”
The production Saturday night ended with the cast on stage singing their final song whole holding a sign that said, “Thank you, Mr. Ware.” As they sang they pointed to Mr. Ware who was in the box at the top of the auditorium and Mr. Ware with emotion pointed back at the cast. The auditorium was full of emotion with the perfect ending to an amazing performance and teaching career.
Principal Leandrea Slayton said, “From the lighting, to the props, to the choreography, to the impressive quality of acting and singing, this may be my favorite student production ever. I feel incredibly honored to have both seen this performance and to have witnessed the closing moment with such a genuine outpouring of gratitude to Mr. Ware. We wish him the best in retirement, but he will be missed as a staple in Liberty’s performing arts department.”
Liberty showcased its talent with two separate casts including the following:
Cast Pea
Charlie Brown - Dominic D’angelo
Snoopy - Grace Piercy
Linus - Bryce Pranada
Lucy - Lexi Newland
Schroeder - Caden Whieldon
Sally - Auria Shamblin
Cast Nut
Charlie Brown - Ruby Smith
Snoopy - Sheanna Dimen
Linus - Jackson Adair
Schroeder - Caden Whieldon
Sally - Rowan Harrell
Ensemble
Violet - Carmen Valdovinos
Shermie - Nathan Chavez
Peppermint Patty - Krissa Canez
Marci/Little Redhead Girl - Shae Hughes
Stage Crew
Em Sandoval
Jacob Valdez
Milo Fry
Production Staff
Director - Perry Ware
Vocal Director - Timothy Williams
Stage Manager - Ciaran Lollar
Assistant Director - Rowan Harrell
Choreographer - Kalayna Olsen
Sound Operator - Eli Quiroz
Light Operator - Roy Davies
Hair/Make-up - Joslynn Reyes