Unsophisticated and silly, this production of A Charlie Brown’s Christmas is a sheer delight. Generations have seen the animated TV show since it first aired in 1965. So, it is fitting that for its 60th anniversary real characters make it come alive, on the stage of the Zach Theatre in Austin.
We didn’t need a lot of encouragement for audience participation. Fast-paced, and at times wild choreography, sweeps one along. For the adult crowd it is a joyous trip down memory lane, but I saw little kids fully animated by the music and action.
The show is ostensibly geared to a young audience, but three fourths of audience was over 18 on premiere night. I suspect the proportion of youngsters will increase as the performances get closer to Christmas.
Of all the characters, Charlie Brown (played with suitably depressed angst by Charlie Turner) looked most like his character. But it must be said that ‘the dog’ stole the show. Yes, everybody’s favourite dog, Snoopy, is here complete with his dog house, which is decorated for Christmas! (lead photo)
After the show, I interviewed Snoopy himself! (Matthew Kennedy in real life). His favourite part of the show?
“Oh, the best production for me personally, I think is when we start doing Linus and Lucy. When we start doing that dance it just takes me straight back to when I was a kid watching Charlie Brown’s performance; and as a kid, I’m like, transported to that moment.
It’s just the sweetest thing. I know I’m playing a dog in that moment, but I just feel like a little kid again. You know what I mean? It’s just beautiful.”
I asked if he liked playing the dog best, or maybe one of the other animals?
“Oh, gosh. I love the penguin, the penguin is great, but playing Snoopy is just a dream. It’s such a fun movie. So much pride, so much imagination, so much fun!” This production quite literally takes comedy to another level. On my way out, I heard one patron say “I liked it so much I want to come back!”
In these days of dissension maybe momentary silliness is what is needed. Go see it!
A Charlie Brown’s Christmas continues thru Dec. 28, 2025. Website: www.zachtheatre.org
Photo credit for both images: Axel Buecker
second photo: Charlie Brown (l) and Snoopy (r)
Lucy is played by Hannah Marie Smith; Sally by Kyra Jackson; and Schroeder by Ben Knight. On different shows, Linus is played by Oscar Lopez and Luke Golby. All the performers I saw opening night clearly put their heart & soul into the production. Really superb.