Finley Play a Smash Hit with Audiences
This spring’s J. Taylor Finley Middle School drama club production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown was a smash hit with audiences, who filled the large group instruction room for back-to-back performances.
Directed by Helen Murdock-Prep and assisted by Gina Trigian-Molvaut, the play drew a crowd of family, friends and teachers. It was clear as soon as the curtain went up that the 22 members of the cast were having the time of their life.
The audience was treated to the delightful, whacky and lovable “peanut gallery” as they navigate through their everyday routines of school, ballparks and challenges, but regardless of their antics with each other, one gets the sense they are really quite fond of one another. If things ever got tough, a few “good griefs” relieved the tension.
The music, both solos and ensembles, had a tender and sweet quality that can only come from a group of dedicated and talented seventh and eighth graders. Judy Leopold served as vocal director and accompanist, adding a lively background of piano that enhanced the talented singers.
Charlie Brown (Robert Jean-Gilles) depicted a very lovable character who deserved the best from his friends. Lucy (Isabell Cahill) never missed a beat in her very bossy and sassy role. Snoopy (Abby Semelsberger), the lovable dog, proved that vocal perfection and dancing go hand in hand (or paw in paw). Snoopy’s sidekick, Woodstock (Jennifer Low) was absolutely the sweetest Woodstock ever. Linus (Keenan Lyons), sings with purpose and makes a great case for why we should all have a blanket. Schroeder (Gabriel Medina-Jaudes) handled the affections of Lucy with absolute kindness. Peppermint Patty (Phoebe Walther) was a magnificent dancer as “The Kite.”
The cast also included Sally Brown (Erika Varady), Marcie (Maddie Haughwout), Violet (Hadley Clayton), Little Red-Headed Girl (Natalie Ciccone), Pig Pen (Lucas Kelly), and Franklin (Nicholas Rowley).
The announcers were Faith Youngquist, Maddie Haughwout and Christopher Porzio. Rounding out the cast was the Peanuts Gang: Madison Lange, Joey Manaker, Joy McCallion, Christopher Porzio, Kaitlyn Sage, Adriana Scarpati and Nicole Walsh.
The acting and delivery of lines were both sensational. The play’s frequent long soliloquies were expertly recited by the characters. Delivery was on point.
The charm that Charles Schultz intended for his beloved characters came shining through in every scene at Finley. Speaking of scenes, the nine member stage crew consisting of students James Ahern, Brian Cuadra Moreira, Elizabeth Dugan, Natalie Furman, Julia Giles, Kerrie Joyce, Oskar Kilgour, Raul Orozco, Olivia Perez and working under the direction of Matthew Harris was always there to help with changes throughout the show, lighting and, of course, the important mics that some of the cast wore.
Four Huntington High School students volunteered their time to the show. Peter Ciccone, Amelia Maggio, Amelia Reilly and Christina Varady devoted many hours to the group throughout rehearsals, freely sharing their experience and helping to make the show the success it ultimately was.
Many in the crowd got teary eyed during the closing song, “Happiness is . . .” “It really summed up the best parts of childhood,” one parent said. The cast and crew even hung signs of what “happiness is” around the lobby for everyone to see what it means to them.
“When a musical ends with this beautiful, upbeat moment and fills not only the stage, but all those in the audience as well with happiness, it’s a win, win for everyone,” one parent said.