MONMOUTH — Happiness is … a ticket to the Monmouth Community Players’ current production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

The musical and dramatic talents of six fine young actors and actresses, under the direction of Lucy Rioux, combine for a delightful visit with the “Peanuts” comic strip gang.

Remaining performances at Cumston Hall are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 27-29.

The show is loaded with chuckles, a few bittersweet moments and some excellent solo and ensemble vocal numbers.

All of the performers deliver remarkable interpretations of the comic strip characters. This is done in scenes that range from one sentence to longer monologues. The show mimics the four-panel format used by the original cartoon strip by Charles M. Schulz.

Jeff Fairfield of West Gardiner gives an excellent performance as Charlie Brown, the round-headed kid who is ever optimistic and always thwarted in his approach to life. Fairfield, a recent graduate of the University of Maine with a degree in music, maintains just the right low-key portrayal of Charlie Brown through his trials with kite-flying and expectations of meeting the “little red-haired girl.”

Sally, Charlie Brown’s little sister, is played with infectious enthusiasm by Karen Lipovsky of Monmouth. She is a picture-perfect representation of the youngest character in the “Peanuts” gang. “My New Philosophy,” in which Sally comes up with minute-by-minute outlooks on life, is very funny. She also delights with her frustration over tangled jump ropes and coat hanger sculpture.

Lucy, the opportunist, is very well portrayed by Emily Trefethen of Monmouth. Trefethen’s performance is just what the doctor ordered, complete with her booth for 5-cent psychiatric advice.

Lucy embraces her crabbiness with a public opinion survey among the little band of friends. She insists she can become “Queen of the World” and she persistently pursues Schroeder, the sensitive, 6-year-old fan of Beethoven.

Eric Lundquist of Augusta turns in a fine performance as Schroeder. He displays a good voice in his number, “Beethoven Day” as he and the company promote a new holiday.

Garrett Crawford of Auburn does a fine job with his portrayal of Linus, Lucy’s younger brother. Linus keeps a tenacious grip on his security blanket, and in his solo number, “My Blanket and Me,” he tells everyone about the benefits of a blanket.

Charlie Brown’s dog, Snoopy, is an indispensable part of the “Peanuts” gang. Dustin Shepherd-Bussiere of Waterville successfully brings Snoopy to life in some delightful vignettes atop his dog house where he spends much of his time thinking of being something else — a gorilla, a jungle cat and the WWI flying ace in a duel with the Red Baron.

Snoopy’s anthem to the joys of “Suppertime” is a highlight of the show.

There are several well-done ensemble skits and songs. “The Book Report” has all of the kids struggling with the assignment, except for Linus who breezes through it.

Cindy Turcotte’s set design is excellent. It includes Snoopy’s dog house as the central focus, along with Schroeder’s piano and Lucy’s psychiatric consultation booth.

Other entertaining musical numbers featuring the company include “Glee Club Rehearsal” and “T-E-A-M.”

Musical direction is by Rebecca Caron, who plays keyboard and leads the two other instrumentalists, Easton Morang, percussion, and Blaise Spath, reeds.

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” premiered on March 7, 1967, in an off-Broadway theater. It ran for 1,597 performances. The first actor to play Charlie Brown was Gary Burghoff, who went on to fame as “Radar” O’Reilly in the M*A*S*H movie and television series.

Remaining shows

WHAT: “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”

WHO: Monmouth Community Players

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27-28; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29

WHERE: Cumston Hall, 796 Main St., Monmouth

FOR TICKETS: Call 514-4929

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