Opening on Friday, April 25, Manual’s Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS) will take audiences on a nostalgic journey through the world of Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” with a production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
The musical directed by Cayce Crowder Abellard, the productions and admissions associate at YPAS, featured standout performances from the magnet’s sophomores, juniors and seniors. These included Drew Ashley (11, YPAS) as Charlie Brown, Willow Fox Young (11, YPAS) as Lucy and Carter Hadley (11, YPAS) as Snoopy, among other characters. From the classic number “My Blanket and Me” to “Beethoven Day,” the cast delivered high-energy routines and endearing character moments that captivated the audience.
The production showcased the students’ wide-ranging talents— not just in acting and singing, but in choreography and set design as well. With colorful, comic-strip-inspired backdrops and cleverly minimal props, the set allowed the young performers to shine while staying true to the spirit of the original cartoon.
“’You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown!’ is a show all about the life of a little kid, and immerses you directly into the scattered and imaginative minds of them,” Ashley said. “Those of us in the cast certainly are not little kids anymore, but we aren’t that far off from being one, so each of us had to tap back into the thoughts and feelings we all had as a little kid in order to successfully play each of our characters.”
Ashley auditioned for the role of Charlie Brown in May of 2024 and hasn’t looked back since.
“The audition process for Charlie Brown felt easy, low stakes, and somewhat personal,” Ashley said. “99% of what’s happening behind the scenes is run almost entirely by students, and it’s been so amazing to get to work with them and get to know them, as it has with some of my cast members who are also in various YPAS departments.”
Along with Ashley, Fox Young enjoyed the whole process of the musical. Its youth focus made it something to look forward to in the winter.
“We started rehearsing in January, and [the characters] were so fun,” Fox Young said. “It was truly a place where we could discover new things and just have fun making the characters up.”
Additionally, this musical brought out a side of these high school performers that they haven’t shown before.
“Usually I am very anxious so I get scared about doing new things, but with Lucy, I really tapped into the kid part of me and just let that take over. I think in the future I will be able to tap into that side, which will help [my career],” Fox Young said.
The show reminded some actors of childhood memories.
“My favorite part of the musical is the last song ‘Happiness.’ There is something about the song that catches the simpleness of a child’s feelings in a way that brings the viewer back to simpler times. Personally, it always makes me tear up and just hits the heart strings,” Fox Young said.
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a celebration of everyday joys, childhood struggles and the value of friendship— messages that resonated with the cast and audience alike.
