Serendipity’s ‘Snoopy’ Aims Too High at Coronet Theatre

“Are you enjoying it?” At intermission, a doubtful mother wants to know what her young daughter thinks of the Serendipity Theatre Co.’s revival of the Charles M. Schulz “Peanuts”-based musical “Snoopy” at the Coronet Theatre.

The response is a nod.

“Do you understand it?” A vigorous head shake in the negative.

That’s not surprising. Bright, perky and well-sung as this production is, young children, who made up most of the audience at a recent viewing, are not its intended audience. The show’s appeal is adult; references to Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” “Citizen Kane’s” Rosebud, Caesar at the Rubicon and the sack of Carthage are not usually in a preschooler’s lexicon.

Ken Realista’s staging is uncomplicated; his choreography has bounce. Lyle Brooks’ set of multi-hued boxes lends eye interest and pianist Bud Wayne Bisbee provides live and lively accompaniment. The capable professional cast, headed by Jeremy Scott, with significant contributions from the full-voiced, comic AnnaLisa Erickson as vinegary Lucy and Lisa Picotte’s clear-eyed Sally Brown, does its best to bring to life the “Peanuts” gang’s tribulations.

The several tuneful songs are the best part of the show, particularly when the whole cast sings or when Erickson, Picotte and Katy Henk, who plays Peppermint Patty, get together as a dynamic trio.

But there’s not much for children to relate to in Snoopy’s battle to write the great American novel--”It was a dark and stormy night”--Lucy’s edgy psychoanalysis or even Patty’s self-consciousness about her big nose, when Henk is so obviously normal in the nose department.

Serendipity may be trying to target older audiences, an admirable goal when youth theater is usually aimed at the youngest family members. It’s difficult to imagine the company felt this show would have preschooler or toddler appeal, however. Based on a comic strip it may be, but Schulz’s cartoon ironies are not kinderfare.

Written by Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, Warren Lockhart, Arthur Whitelaw and Michael L. Grace. Music by Larry Grossman, lyrics by Hal Hackady.

“Snoopy,” Coronet Theatre, 366 N. La Brea, Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 and 4 p.m. through Aug. 2. $6-$12; (310) 652-9199.