Seniors to perform ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ after 3-year break

A three-year break in the performing arts will finally come to an end for Colfax-Mingo High School on April 1, the day the school’s drama department will showcase its production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Michelle Grant, band and choir director for Colfax-Mingo, said the school was supposed to perform a music last year, but it inevitably cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But now students will be returning to the stage.

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is a short, two-act musical centering around characters from the classic comic strip “Peanuts.” While these characters’ stories are usually geared towards children, the show can be enjoyed by all ages, Grant said.

“It’s kinda like any other Disney movie you watch. It’s for kids but there’s always that subtle joke that adults get,” Grant said. “It’s very light-hearted.”

Usually, the high school organizes a play or musical every two years. Because of the pandemic, school hasn’t performed any shows since 2019.

“Our last musical was ‘Grease,’ which we put on just before COVID hit,” Grant said.

With students back in session full-time, Grant said the music department is now playing catch-up with its theater performances to make sure all students have their shot to participate.

“I think we’re going to double up and do a musical this year and next year. But this year it’s just our seniors that are involved in the actual roles since they’ve missed out,” Grant said.

The entire cast is made up of six seniors who will be playing the core members of the “Peanuts” cast. Ten students will be working backstage, sound and lights.

“I don’t think any of the younger students are upset about the situation. I’ve already told everyone that we’re doing another show next year, and if we’re being completely honest, the six kids who have been cast would’ve gotten lead roles anyway. I didn’t want them to not get the chance,” Grant said.

Auditions for the show were completed a few weeks after students returned from their winter break, with rehearsals getting underway after the winter sports season ends. Currently, the cast has been working on painting the sets, putting together costumes and constructing a coat hanger statue that is the center of much debate during the musical, Grant said.

“We’re working on our coat hanger sculpture right now. And don’t worry – it’s supposed to look that bad,” Grant said.

Contact Abby Knipfel at 641-792-4687 ext. 6531 or aknipfel@shawmedia.com