Unless you have been living under a rock for the past 50 years, you will have been exposed to the comic strip “Peanuts” drawn by Charles Schultz beginning in October 1950 and ending in February 2000.
With 17,897 total strips published it became one of the most influential comic strips of all time running in over 2600 newspapers with a readership of 355 million in 75 countries. There were successes in television specials with “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” winning or being nominated for an Emmy Award.
It was adapted for the stage and became a popular musical comedy and this is what you will see next week when it opens at the Sampson Community Theater with a talented cast directed by Dan Holland and sponsored by Kent Fann of Fann Farms. The cast is in daily rehearsals because they have not had the luxury of an extended bridge of time between auditions and performances. Tickets are available now at Inkspot and Matthews Gifts if you so desire.
Some of the fun facts about “Peanuts” include that Lucy (Angela Martin) and Linus (Jerred Yaw) are siblings and their last names are “Van Pelt”.
Although incomplete, some of the shows at the Sampson Community Theater in 2016 will include “Little Women” in February directed by L.J. Carr, “Cinderella” in late summer directed by Susan Bristow, and “Elf, Jr.” in December directed by Angela Martin.
Don’t forget that auditions for “Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever” will be held next Saturday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. for ages 4 to adults with the emphasis on the children and only a few adult roles. Angela Martin is directing and performances are in November.
Our website is available at: www.sampsoncommunitytheatre.org and we are on Facebook but if you visit us there, we ask that you “like” us while there.
Upcoming events
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown — Directed by Dan Holland. Sponsored by Fann Farms. Rehearsals ongoing. Performances Oct. 2, 3, 4, and Oct. 9, 10, 11. (6 Shows)
Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever — Directed by Angela Martin. Auditions Oct. 3 at 2 p.m., ages 4-adult. Performances Nov. 13-15 and Nov. 20-22. (6 shows)
Taylor Michaels Music and Magic Christmas Show — Performances Dec. 18-19 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. This is a fundraiser for the theater and not a patron sponsor event.
Thoughts until next week
The idea is to die young as late as possible.
If a problem can be solved, there is no need to worry about it. If a problem can’t be solved, there is no need to worry about it.
Expect people to be better than they are; it helps them to become better. But don’t be disappointed when they are not; it helps them to keep trying.
