Early rehearsal for the NextStop Theatre's “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Photo courtesy of NextStop Theatre
Where and When
NextStop Theatre presents "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at the Industrial Strength Theatre, 269 Sunset Drive Park, Herndon. Performances are Dec. 12-21. Friday, Dec. 12 – 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13 at 12, 4, and 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at 12 and 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20 at 12 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 21 at 12 and 4 p.m. Tickets: Adults $20, Children (12 and under): $16. Call: 866-811-4111 or visit www.nextstoptheatre…. Note: There are two separate casts performing on different days/times for this production; the Peace Cast and the Joy Cast. Go to www.nextstoptheatre… for details.
It's that time of year. Time to "try to catch snowflakes on your tongue" as a live edition of that animated favorite, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" comes to the Industrial Strength Theater by way of Herndon's NextStop Theatre.
A show with great heart, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" will spring to life through the efforts of 25 children and youthful actors. In the almost 50 years since first premiering on television, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" has been broadcast yearly. Now kids of all ages can see this perennial holiday tradition staged live.
"It brings me so much pride and joy to be able to provide the opportunity for a new generation of kids to feel the rush of performing in a top notch production," said Evan Hoffmann, artistic director, NextStop Theatre. The NextStop Theatre presentation will also introduce new generations to the capacity of theatre to beguile.
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" will be a full-scale production under the direction of award-winning Jennifer Lambert. The show includes all the characters remembered from comics and animated features such as the endearing Charlie Brown, a bossy Lucy, humorous Snoopy, and all the others. There will be plenty of music, singing and dancing. All with the Holiday Spirit.
"There is a special insight that kids can provide about characters that sometimes adults simply can't. These kids really get the brilliantly created characters Shultz has given to us and they bring them to life like only youngsters can," said Lambert. The show has such "joy you want to hold onto during the holidays."
Lambert wants audiences to have a "the same joyful smile that comes to my face every time I watch these children perform this show and listen to the peaceful score that goes with it."
There are also many other values of being in a live theatre production. Speaking for many of the parents, Lori Gaskill (parent of Owen Gaskill) said "Acting in this is such a great opportunity for Owen. Building his confidence and presence is such a phenomenal opportunity. I am thrilled with the positive and upbeat attitude everyone involved maintains and expects." Margo Osborne (parent of Hudson Osborne) noted that beyond honing "acting, communications and listening skills" the rehearsal process has been "an absolute ball."
So, relive your own youth, or bring someone new to visit the world of Charlie Brown and friends right in your own neighborhood.