A Charlie Brown Christmas

Way Off Broadway will be kicking off the festive season at the beginning of November with a special Dessert Theatre presentation of A Charlie Brown Christmas.  A live stage adaptation of the television classic, the show will run for five performances at the theatre beginning the first weekend in November.

Based on the television special, the story tells of how Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang discover the true meaning of Christmas.

When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism he sees among everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant.  Charlie Brown accepts, but this proves to be a frustrating endeavor.  When an attempt to restore the proper holiday spirit with a forlorn little Christmas fir tree fails, he needs Linus’ help to find the spirit of the season.

Since it first aired in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas has been a holiday tradition, with the stage version premiering in 2013. This year’s production will mark the second time the show has appeared at Way Off Broadway.

Bringing Charles Schulz’s Peanut characters to life on stage this year will be Bob Gudauskas as Charlie Brown, Justin Barish as Linus, Megan Elizabeth West as Sally, Jessica Billones as Lucy, Wil Spaeth as Schroder, Rebecca Sears as Peppermint Patti, Luke Goggin as Pig Pen, MacKenzie Brannen as Violet, Elizabeth Pillai as Frieda, and Tucker Kiska as Snoopy.

    A Charlie Brown Christmas was written by and based on characters created by Schulz, and is based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson.  It was adapted for the stage by Eric Schaeffer.  Way Off Broadway’s production is directed by Bill Kiska, with music direction by Tina Marie Bruley.
Performances of the family-friendly holiday event are on the evenings of November 3^rd, 4^th, 10^th, and 11^th, with a matinee performance on November 5^th.  Tickets are $30 per person and include a gourmet dessert and the show.

To learn more about A Charlie Brown Christmas, or any of Way Off Broadway’s holiday offerings, which include Jingle Jingle All the Way, Santa Claus: The Musical, or the theatre’s 22^nd Annual Breakfast with Santa (and Mrs. Claus), visit www.wayoffbroadway.com.  Or, to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at (301) 662-6600.

The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, under the direction of the Kiska family since 2002, is currently in its 29^th Season of producing live theatre. Since it first opened in 1995, the theatre has been a leader in the area’s theatre community, proudly bringing both classic musicals, as well as regional and area premieres to the Frederick stage. Productions have included Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia!,  Disney’s Beauty & the Beast, Sister Act, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Monty Python’s SPAMALOT, Noises Off, The Addams Family, Les Misérables, Sunset Boulevard, Legally Blonde, Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical, Hairspray, South Pacific, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Mel Brooks’ The Producers, CATS, The Wedding Singer, Evita, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, La Cage aux Folles, Guys & Dolls, Steel Magnolias, …Forum, Lend Me a Tenor, Joseph…, Blood Brothers, Mame, and 42^nd Street. In addition to its regular Mainstage season, Way Off Broadway produces a number of special events throughout the year, including family theatre productions and an annual Breakfast with Santa (and Mrs. Claus). Through its outside producing brand, WOB LIVE! Entertainment, Way Off Broadway also presents Marquee Mysteries – an interactive murder mystery series where the audience helps solve the case – not only at the theatre, but regularly on the Walkersville Southern Railroad and other venues through the area for private functions.  www.wayoffbroadway.com