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Youth actors bring ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ to life at Theatre Centre

"Does the innkeeper's wife have naturally curly hair?" asks Frieda, played by Kenya Sharp, standing second from left, when Lucy, played by Kristin Lowery, at left, hands out the parts for the Christmas pageant. Bon Oliver Owens, seated, plays Schroeder at the piano. Also pictured standing are Flying Ace cast members Sarah Davis, Kinsley Crowdis and Jack Rogers.
"Does the innkeeper's wife have naturally curly hair?" asks Frieda, played by Kenya Sharp, standing second from left, when Lucy, played by Kristin Lowery, at left, hands out the parts for the Christmas pageant. Bon Oliver Owens, seated, plays Schroeder at the piano. Also pictured standing are Flying Ace cast members Sarah Davis, Kinsley Crowdis and Jack Rogers. "Does the innkeeper's wife have naturally curly hair?" asks Frieda, played by Kenya Sharp, standing second from left, when Lucy, played by Kristin Lowery, at left, hands out the parts for the Christmas pageant. Bon Oliver Owens, seated, plays Schroeder at the piano. Also pictured standing are Flying Ace cast members Sarah Davis, Kinsley Crowdis and Jack Rogers.

By Susan Pierce 3 min read

If you go

› What: “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”› When: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3; 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 4; 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10-11.› Where: Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St.› Admission: $10.› Phone: 423-267-8534.› Website: www.theatrecentre.com.

THE PRINCIPALS

Joe Cool CastCharlie Brown: Dylan Marks, Chattanooga Christian SchoolLinus: Benjamin Suhrbier, homeschoolSnoopy: Tison Buck, Center for Creative ArtsLucy: Shea Grande, Center for Creative ArtsFlying Ace CastCharlie Brown: Jude Major, Signal Mountain Middle-High SchoolLinus: Charlie Clevenger, Boyd BuchananSnoopy: Aiden DiChiacchio, Fairyland ElementaryLucy: Kristin Lowery, Center for Creative Arts

Three generations of children have grown up discovering the true meaning of Christmas with the Peanuts gang in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” since the animated television special came out in 1965.

Youth actors at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre will bring Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and all Charles Schulz’s beloved characters to life when they present “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in six performances Dec. 2-11. The production is based on the TV special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson, with a stage adaptation written by Eric Schaeffer.

To help Charlie Brown get in the Christmas spirit, Lucy suggests he direct the school Christmas play. But to Charlie Brown’s dismay, he is mocked and ignored by his friends as he tries to carry out the job while not falling prey to the commercialization of the season. But by the play’s conclusion, the Peanuts gang and their audience are reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

The CTC Youth Theatre production has been double-cast, each company consisting of 14 actors. Jude Major plays Charlie Brown with the Flying Ace cast and Dylan Marks is Charlie Brown in the Joe Cool cast.

Director Scott Dunlap says this production was “wildly popular” last year, with every show selling out. Because of that, additional performances were added this year to meet the anticipated demand for tickets.

Also, due to the high number of expected schoolchildren, this Youth Theatre production has been moved from the Circle Theater to the MainStage of the theater.

“Next week, more than 4,000 schoolchildren will see ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ during our daytime school performances,” says theater spokeswoman Jan Belk. Since the CTC production of “Miracle on 34th Street” opens Friday, Dec. 9, adjustments have been made in the number of performances of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Only 2:30 matinees will be offered the weekend of Dec. 10-11.

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.