Kilauea Drama and Entertainment, or KDEN, will be bringing its summer musical to three locations for three weekends.
Suzi Bond is directing “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” for the first time in 21 years with a small cast that includes two returning actors.
“We are still waiting for work to be done at Kilauea Military Camp’s Kilauea Theater and felt like we had to do something after not doing a show last summer,” Bond said. “I love this show, and we put it on in 2003, so I knew it could easily be done in multiple locations with a small cast and easy set.”
The musical is based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his famous comic strip, “Peanuts,” with music and lyrics written by Clark Gesner in 1967.
Many people know the story from the animated TV special that was released in 1985 and is based on the musical.
Stephen Bond, who played Woodstock in the 2003 production, is playing Charlie Brown, and Rachel Klein is reprising her role as Lucy. Joining them will be Elizabeth Young as Sally, Ray Ryan as Schroeder, Debbie Campbell as Snoopy, and youth actor Malia Wells as Linus.
Due to necessary electrical upgrades, KDEN has not had access to its home theater at KMC, which has been difficult for Suzi Bond when it comes to choosing productions, making plans for rehearsals and finding spaces to perform.
“I’m definitely ready to be back in our home, but I know that these upgrades were necessary,” she said. “As far as I know, the contract has been awarded and permitting is ongoing. If all goes well, work could start soon, and hopefully we can be back by the end of the year.”
The initial performances are this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at KMC’s Koa Room in Volcano.
Next weekend’s performances will be Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28, at the Ocean View Community Center, and the final three performances will be at Hilo Church of the Nazarene from Friday, Aug. 2, to Sunday, Aug. 4.
“This is actually our first time reaching out and taking KDEN performances to Ocean View, which is long overdue,” Suzi Bond said. “There is not much going on down there as far as theater goes, so we are hoping to make this more of a partnership by offering auditions in Ka‘u and more community performances.”
Performances of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” will start at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors and students of all ages, and $10 for children 12 and under.
Tickets can be purchased at the door each night by cash or check only. Credit or debit cards cannot be accepted.
“This is one of my favorite shows and is nostalgic for me since I played Lucy in high school,” Suzi Bond said. “I think it’s nostalgic for many people, though. It’s a wholesome show that will be heart-warming for audiences of all ages.”
With or without a home theater, Bond said she plans to keep KDEN going strong by continually offering opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels to learn and perform, ultimately bringing communities together through a common purpose and shared experiences.
After this production run, auditions will be held for the radio play, “War of the Worlds,” which she hopes can be performed live and over the radio.
For more information, or to make reservations for the musical, call (808) 982-7344, or email kdenhawaii@gmail.com
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.