Fort Peck Summer Theatre Extends Christmas Magic
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January 8, 2020
Courtesy Photo / For the Courier
Attendees pose with the cast of 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' after the performance on Dec. 28. Pictured are, back row, left to right: Schroeder (Jay Michael Roberts), Charlie Brown (Laramie Dean), Sally (Bridget Smith), Lucy (Haley Alexa Court) Christine Gilchrist, Isla Gilchrist; middle row, left to right: Frieda (Sidney Hayward), Snoopy (Megan Wiltshire), Pigpen (Andy Meyers), Linus (Andy Nelson); front row, left to right: Blakely Burleson, Ella Gilchrist and Amelia Gilchrist.
The Fort Peck Summer Theatre troupe brought their thespian magic to Glasgow over the winter break, extending the magic of Christmas for a few more days.
The FPST designed, rehearsed and produced "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on stage in the Glasgow High School auditorium Dec. 27 and 28.
The Christmas classic, adapted to stage from Charles M. Schulz's 1965 television special, gave area families the chance to extend the holiday spirit with its celebration of the true meaning of Christmas. Coming to Glasgow after a short run in Missoula, the show captivated all, with delighted laughter ringing through the auditorium.
Under the direction of Andy Meyers, who also played Pigpen, Laramie Dean played the titular role, while Haley Alexa Court was Lucy, Andy Nelson as Linus and Bridget Smith was Sally. Local FPST favorites also took to the stage as Jay Michael Roberts took on the role of Schroeder, Megan Wilshire played Snoopy and Sidney Hayward was Frieda.
With just over 500 tickets sold for the two shows in Glasgow, Fort Peck Fine Arts Council Executive Director Jennifer Fewer told the Courier, "It exceeded expectations. We're really happy with it."
This is the first year in many that Glasgow has seen a Christmas performance from the FPST cast. For many years now, cast members have worked to perform a dramatic reading each February. Fewer explained that Meyer had it in mind to try something different this year and that planning for a Christmas show was in the works this past summer. "We were lucky to coordinate and make it happen," she said. On plans for future shows, she added, "That seed has been planted."
"It was very well attended so I absolutely think it is something we could explore making a tradition," Meyers said, "especially if there seems to be interest from audiences." He noted the crew here was able to make use of costumes and props from the Arizona Broadway Theatre, but after cuts to their children's programming, this yearly tradition in Arizona suffered, even as the local program took advantage.
"It would be very cool if we could expand our itinerary and tour Charlie Brown to a few more venues, as we do with the summer kids shows," he added.
Proceeds from the show will go towards FPFAC's youth and education programming.
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