‘Charlie Brown’ comes to life at the Wellmont Theater.
Ever since the special first aired in 1965, Americans everywhere have come to love Charlie Brown’s Christmas Special. The special is a beautiful and timeless story of how Charlie Brown, who is depressed even though it is Christmas, learns about the true meaning of Christmas. Charlie Brown goes to several of his friends, citing his disappointment in Christmas and asks how he can truly grasp watch what Christmas means.
After becoming more dismayed by various things, including his little sister simply asking for money for Christmas, Charlie Brown decided to direct a Christmas play. The finer points to the story, such as Charlie Brown having to overcome the commercialization and secularism of Christmas time, become more and more pertinent to society and America every year. In 2013, the special was adapted for the stage by Eric Schaeffer, and since then it has been played at hundreds of churches, theaters and community centers.
The live version follows the story of the TV special completely, but in many ways it is more immersive. Charlie Brown Live offers sing alongs and well performed live music for nostalgic parents and awestruck children.
Annie Mendoza, a mother of two who has seen the show before, recounted the experience. “I grew up loving Charlie Brown, so sharing that experience with my children was special,” said Mendoza. “The actors and actresses all understood how magical the story is supposed to be, and did a wonderful job relating the meaning of Christmas even to the younger members of the audience. My kids are six and 10 and they both loved it and asked to go again!”
The show also offers a wonderfully merry sing along at the end, where the cast members sing their favorite Christmas hymns and songs and ask the audience to help them out. This involves kids who may be having the same problem as Charlie Brown, and just can’t quite get into the Christmas spirit.
The show will take place on Dec. 22, and will start at 7 p.m. Tickets for the show are available at The Wellmont Theater or online at www.wellmontheater.com. The theater is located at 5 Seymour St. in Montclair. Parking can be found in the lot next to the theater or on nearby Bloomfield Ave.
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