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When you’ve got an actor for whom nothing goes well, what show do you schedule?
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” if you’re director Perry Martin.
New Orleans professional actor Travis Resor plays the iconic Charles M. Schultz lead, Charlie Brown himself.
“Travis is the kind of guy who could pull out on the road, get hit from behind and end up owing the other guy money,” Martin said, laughing. “They call him ‘The Dark Cloud.’”
Slated to run Nov. 7 through Dec. 7, the stage version of the animated holiday classic makes its regional premiere at the Bayou Playhouse in Lockport.
This also marks the 50th anniversary of the cartoon’s television premiere.
“This is a wonderful example of true television history being brought to life on stage,” Martin said. “This special has brought holiday joy to families on TV for 50 years. It has always been my favorite and we are thrilled to be the first theater in the region to bring it to the stage.
Joining Resor in the cast are Jane Goodrum as Lucy; Andrew Vogel as Linus; Jacob Miller as Schroeder; Camille Griffin as Sally; Lexi Richmond, Frieda; Brennyn Galliano, Pig Pen; Amber Pierce, Marcie; and Hailey Thibodaux, Snoopy.
“To a person, everyone in this cast has the personality of that character,” Martin mused. “Jane as Lucy really does have that reputation for being bossy like that. And Sally (Griffin) is so sweet. It really is a good cast.”
The driving force from the outset was Resor, Martin admits.
He’s been a regular on the Bayou Playhouse stage, having appeared in 10 productions, including “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Okra,” “Catfish Moon” and, most recently, “Katrina, Mother-in-Law of ‘Em All.”
“When I first met Travis in 2008, I just thought what a great Charlie Brown he could be,” Martin said.
Readying for this season, the artistic director of the Playhouse was contemplating adding “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” to the lineup. And then word came that Schultz’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” was available.
“I immediately jumped at it,” Martin said. “It was a no-brainer for a holiday production.”
And coming off two seasons of challenging material – Tennessee Williams’ plays and the Katrina tribute – the lighter fare couldn’t have come at a better time.
“I can honestly tell you that I have never had so much fun at rehearsal,” Martin said. “We laugh so hard, sometimes I have to call a break just so everyone can regain focus. We all go home every night laughing.”
The production combines professional actors and local youngsters. “I’ve elevated a couple of our BayouKidz! into their first professional play,” he said of Galliano, Pierce and Thibodaux.
Audiences can expect to hear and see many of the iconic “A Charlie Brown Christmas” features. “The music is the same feel and sound of the cartoon,” Martin said. And, online, he found a replica of the infamous Christmas tree.
Martin also promises some local Bayou Playhouse touches to the script. “This is not your grandpa and grandma’s Charlie Brown show,” he said. “It’s an advanced, funnier version of the cartoon. When we started, I told the cast, ‘OK, let’s get to work destroying an American classic.’”
That said, Martin promises a good, clean family show appropriate for everyone.
“This is for children of all ages – toddlers to adults,” he said. “It is going to charm the heck out of the kids and make the adults laugh, too.”
COURTESY | AGGIE THIBODAUX
Travis Resor (center) stars as Charlie Brown in the Bayou Playhouse’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Joining him are, from left, Camille Griffin as Sally, Jane Goodrum as Sally, Andrew Vogel as Linus, Jacob Miller as Schroeder and Hailey Thibodeaux as Snoopy.
