There’s a new group in town! The Richmond Hill Community Theatre is in rehearsal for their first presentation, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Revised),” to be performed on April 30 and May 1 and 2 at the New Beginnings Church off 144 in Richmond Hill.
When I first came to Richmond Hill with my husband as a snow bird four years ago from beautiful NH, we were surprised that such a vibrant and growing community like Richmond Hill didn’t have a community theater group. I am a retired high school music teacher, have been involved with community and summer stock theater for over 30 years, and have a passion for theater! So, with the help of about a dozen community members, a grant from Arts on the Coast and donations from several “angels,” we created the Richmond Hill Community Theatre, a not for profit organization. Our mission is to “enrich, entertain and educate the community of Richmond Hill through quality theatrical productions.”
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Revised)” is based on the popular comic strip by Charles Schultz , with book, music and lyrics by Clark M. Gesner. It is a family friendly musical with many of the characters from the comic strip. Charlie Brown, Lucy, Sally, Snoopy, Schroeder and Linus bring a child’s eye view of the world and its problems to light with humor and nostalgia.
“Charlie Brown” is just the beginning of what we plan to be a varied and entertaining season of productions. We hope that we can get more of our community members involved, both adults and children, whether it is as actors, directors, technicians, stage managers, advertisers, etc. Cast members will be hitting the streets soon to solicit advertising for our program and we hope you will consider placing an ad to help pay expenses. None of our participants are paid for their work.
One of our biggest challenges is finding appropriate venues for our productions. The New Beginnings Community Church has been very generous with the use of their facility. However, we hope to find a larger venue with stage, lights and sound that we might use in the future. If you have any suggestions, please let me know! You may contact me at jacki_scott@hotmail.com.
Our cast for “Charlie Brown” is from a variety of backgrounds, including those with theatrical experience and those who have never set foot on a stage before! Playing the lead role of Charlie Brown is James W. Willis, Jr. Lucy is played by Amy Thomas and Sally is performed by Nikki Brower Johnson. Amelia Medina takes the stage as the beloved Snoopy, and Aaron Wolfe is the blanket toting Linus. Rounding out the cast is Jim Diez as Schroeder, the classical pianist. We couldn’t do without our accomplished accompanist, Donna Dasher and stage managers Erica Durben and Anita Maxwell. And I get the privilege of directing these wonderful actors!
I do hope you will be able to attend one of our performances. We are doing short “vignettes” of about 15 minutes this Saturday (March 27) at 2 p,m. at The New Beginnings Church during Arts on the Coast’s “Jubliee.” On April 24 we will also perform our “vignettes” at Gregory Park at noon during Georgia Cities week. Both of these performances are free. On Friday, April 30 and Saturday May 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday May 2 at 2 p.m. we will be performing the complete “Charlie Brown” at the New Beginnings Church. Tickets are $7 at the door or available from a cast member. We hope to see you there!
Jacki Scott is president of Richmond Hill Community Theater. You can reach her at Jacki_scott@hotmail.com.
When I first came to Richmond Hill with my husband as a snow bird four years ago from beautiful NH, we were surprised that such a vibrant and growing community like Richmond Hill didn’t have a community theater group. I am a retired high school music teacher, have been involved with community and summer stock theater for over 30 years, and have a passion for theater! So, with the help of about a dozen community members, a grant from Arts on the Coast and donations from several “angels,” we created the Richmond Hill Community Theatre, a not for profit organization. Our mission is to “enrich, entertain and educate the community of Richmond Hill through quality theatrical productions.”
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Revised)” is based on the popular comic strip by Charles Schultz , with book, music and lyrics by Clark M. Gesner. It is a family friendly musical with many of the characters from the comic strip. Charlie Brown, Lucy, Sally, Snoopy, Schroeder and Linus bring a child’s eye view of the world and its problems to light with humor and nostalgia.
“Charlie Brown” is just the beginning of what we plan to be a varied and entertaining season of productions. We hope that we can get more of our community members involved, both adults and children, whether it is as actors, directors, technicians, stage managers, advertisers, etc. Cast members will be hitting the streets soon to solicit advertising for our program and we hope you will consider placing an ad to help pay expenses. None of our participants are paid for their work.
One of our biggest challenges is finding appropriate venues for our productions. The New Beginnings Community Church has been very generous with the use of their facility. However, we hope to find a larger venue with stage, lights and sound that we might use in the future. If you have any suggestions, please let me know! You may contact me at jacki_scott@hotmail.com.
Our cast for “Charlie Brown” is from a variety of backgrounds, including those with theatrical experience and those who have never set foot on a stage before! Playing the lead role of Charlie Brown is James W. Willis, Jr. Lucy is played by Amy Thomas and Sally is performed by Nikki Brower Johnson. Amelia Medina takes the stage as the beloved Snoopy, and Aaron Wolfe is the blanket toting Linus. Rounding out the cast is Jim Diez as Schroeder, the classical pianist. We couldn’t do without our accomplished accompanist, Donna Dasher and stage managers Erica Durben and Anita Maxwell. And I get the privilege of directing these wonderful actors!
I do hope you will be able to attend one of our performances. We are doing short “vignettes” of about 15 minutes this Saturday (March 27) at 2 p,m. at The New Beginnings Church during Arts on the Coast’s “Jubliee.” On April 24 we will also perform our “vignettes” at Gregory Park at noon during Georgia Cities week. Both of these performances are free. On Friday, April 30 and Saturday May 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday May 2 at 2 p.m. we will be performing the complete “Charlie Brown” at the New Beginnings Church. Tickets are $7 at the door or available from a cast member. We hope to see you there!
Jacki Scott is president of Richmond Hill Community Theater. You can reach her at Jacki_scott@hotmail.com.