STAGE REVIEW : ‘Charlie Brown’ Puts On Amiable Production in Santa Barbara

Director Paul Blake had several brainstorms when he cast the Santa Barbara Theatre Festival production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Jo Anne Worley as Lucy Van Pelt. Billy Barnes as Schroeder. Jack Fletcher as Snoopy. Larry Hovis as Charlie Brown.

Imagine Worley--in a short white pleated skirt, purple top, pink socks--flirtatiously advancing on the smaller, florid-faced Barnes, as he tries to play Beethoven. Or psychoanalyzing hapless Hovis. Or taking a survey on what her friends think of her. Worley bites into the role as if it were written for her.

Of course, Clark Gesner’s 22-year-old revue is not big on bite. In some ways, this show is almost as wishy-washy as Charlie Brown himself. Lucy lists Charlie’s faults but consoles him with the observation that at least he’s got himself.

It’s all very amiable, but anyone in the market.

And it’s such a little show. Even with Worley, it hardly seems appropriate for the 669-seat Lobero Theatre.

By casting middle-aged actors, Blake has almost dispensed with the pretense that this is a show about children. This Charlie Brown doesn’t just have a high hairline; he is bald. On the other hand, most middle-aged neurotics probably wouldn’t wear Robert Fletcher’s colorful, juvenile costumes.

In other words, the concerns of Charles Schulz’s classic characters cross the generation gap.

Worley, who sings louder than the rest of the cast put together, is the engine of the show. But she also knows how to build the comedy by sitting perfectly still while her little brother lectures her.

Hovis is beautifully forlorn as Charlie Brown, and Fletcher’s Snoopy--as well as his World War I flying ace and Snoopy’s other fantasy figures--is inspired.

Like Fletcher, Carleton Carpenter’s Linus is much taller than you would ever have imagined his character to be, yet his moves are surprisingly graceful.

Marcia Wallace plays Patty, the least defined role, and she doesn’t make anything special out of it. Also, she has the shakiest singing voice in the show. But musical director Harper Mackay’s backstage piano and drums lend able support.

Performances are at 33 E. Canon Perdido, Santa Barbara, tonight through Saturday at 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets: $15-$21; (805) 963-0761.