'Peanuts' musical to be staged

Most of us can empathize with the earnest person who tries hard but fails.

And that's the key to Charles Schultz's gold mine of a '60s musical, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," based on his long-running "Peanuts" comic strip.

In the television specials that began 40 years ago, Charlie Brown is the little boy who longs to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but popcorn is served. He then wants to direct the school Christmas play and is saved barely in the nick of time. In brief, Charlie Brown reminds us of the challenges we all face in making small and big dreams come true, and really what is the difference.

The Company Company, a theatrical group co-founded by professional musician Maida Libkin and actor and singer Bill Schlitt, will present the whimsical musical for all ages starting Thursday at the Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St. in Charleston.

"We wanted to do something that would brighten up the lull in the summer when the Spoleto and Piccolo festivals are over," says Libkin. "Also, in 'Charlie Brown' there is plenty of pathos, but also plenty of fun."

Schlitt says that the musical marks the premiere of what The Company Company hopes to continue as a series of productions at the church. "We're testing the waters with this show, but hope to be back with other productions that best suit the qualities of this historic and intimate venue," Schlitt says of the church sanctuary where the performance will be held. "We are truly grateful to Pastor Bert Keller, his staff and his congregation for their hospitality."

With a book, music and lyrics by Clark Gesner, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" premiered off-Broadway in 1967, where it ran for 1,597 performances. The little show also had a brief Broadway run in 1971, with a more successful revival in 1999, copping two Tony Awards.

The musical will be directed by Libkin, who is an accomplished pianist and conductor, having conducted "Peter Pan" in the former Soviet Union and "Jerry's Girls" starring Carol Channing on Broadway. Libkin has been the musical director for dozens of local stage works including "Company" at the Footlight Players.

Taking the role of Charlie Brown will be Robbie Thomas, who was recently in "The Full Monty" at the Footlight Players and "A Christmas Story" at the Village Playhouse. Jamie Smithson, who was in "Urinetown: The Musical," will portray Snoopy, and Johanna Marie Schlitt ("Gypsy" and "A Little Night Music") will play Sally.

Taking the role of the annoying Lucy will be Elizabeth Ferraro, who acted in "She Loves Me," produced by The Company Company and Village Playhouse. The co-founder of the Charleston Acting Studio, Ryan Ahlert, who was in "The Little Shop of Horrors," will portray Schroeder, and Corey Webb, a local contemporary folk singer, will take the role of Linus.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and at 3 p.m. Saturday and June 22. The Isle of Palms will present two performances at the Sweetgrass Pavilion on Wild Dunes at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. June 29.

Tickets are $15 and may be reserved by calling 838-3006, 810-8100 or online at www.thecompanycompany.com. Thursday is "pay what you will" night. Also, producing director Schlitt says free tickets will be offered to some low-income students and others. For information, call 670-5634.

'16 Miles'

A dramatic body of paintings by realist landscape artist JB Boyd chronicling the distance between Capers Island and Johns Island is on display at the Robert Lange Studios through June 30.

Boyd's series, titled "16 Miles," captures scenes of downtown factories, farmland and Lowcountry marshes.

"Living and painting on Goat Island has given me a chance to make art by walking a quarter of a mile into the pluff mud, rather than just painting from the side of the road," he says.

Having studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Boyd had his work exhibited in New York and Los Angeles before he moved here.

"JB's style of painting is unlike anything I've seen regarding landscapes," says gallery owner Robert Lange. "He has veered away from photorealist and landscape realism to create his own language."

The featured work will consist of a series of 10-inch and 4-inch squares (in shadowbox frames) designed to simultaneously draw viewers in and then release them into grand vistas, says Lange. One of the pieces, "Just Go On," is of the spoils off the backside of Goat Island.

The gallery is at 151 East Bay St., downtown Charleston.

Nina Liu and Friends

Also, throughout June, the Nina Liu and Friends gallery will present "Bestiary," featuring drawings and sculpture by Aggie Zed, who grew up on Sullivan's Island and now lives in Virginia.

Since 1990, Zed's regular exhibitions at Nina Liu and Friends have featured lush drawings and intriguing sculptures of animals, whether recognizable domestic creatures or hybrids, recalling the myths of antiquity, says Nina Liu. "Bestiary" includes animal studies on paper and in clay with images of sharks, cats and horses prevalent among the works that are delicate in detail and are open to multiple interpretations.

A recipient of a Virginia Commission for the Arts Professional Fellowship for sculpture, Zed has shown her work at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Riverfront Studios in Schuylerville, N.Y.

Nina Liu and Friends is in the historic Poinsett House, 24 State St., downtown Charleston.