CAST
Jonathan Fisher – Charlie Brown
With a growing list of theatrical accomplishments, Jonathan has proven his dedication to the craft. In his second musical endeavour, he takes on the iconic role of Charlie Brown in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Previously Jonathan showcased his talent as Frank in ‘Ladies in Black’ with YAPPERS in 2019. His resumé also includes performances in productions like ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, ‘Medium’, and ‘There’s a Dead Body in the Graveyard’. Jonathan’s interests extend well beyond the stage, and when he’s not captivating audiences with his musical performances, he teaches the next generation of potential performers at primary school.
Olivia King – Lucy Van Pelt
Olivia has an extensive background in local musical theatre in North Eastern Victoria and rarely sits still. She has played both Rusty and Cowgirl Barb in ‘Footloose’, Rizzo in ‘Grease’ and Elize Doolittle in ‘Pygmalion’. She was also Musical Director of ‘Les Miserables’ with BATS in 2020. More recently Olivia was Musical Director for Diamond Valley Singers’ production of ‘Spamalot’. She will make her directorial debut with Seymour Performers’ Workshop later this year in ‘Legally Blonde’. Liv debuted with YAPPERS as Patty in ‘Ladies in Black’, going on to play Megs in ‘Medium’, Narrator in ‘Living Wireless’, and Tamara in ‘Husband Murderers Support Group’.
Perry Moon – Snoopy
Perry Moon is a 17 year old who is passionate about acting and is working towards making a career of the craft. He has appeared in several short films, TV commercials, musicals and plays. Perry has played a variety of roles ranging from extras through to main characters. He’s featured in several YAPPERS productions, most recently in the hilarious role of Tank in 2022’s ‘Medium’. Away from the stage, Perry attends acting classes and dancing classes with Stage School Australia in which he learns Tap, Jazz and Hiphop. In his increasingly rare spare time Perry loves to make his own films, play his guitar and ukulele, play pool and just have fun.
Louise Fillmore – Sally Brown
With a decade of YAPPERS experience behind her, Louise is the veteran of this cast. A musician and singer as well as actor, she was first cast as Sister Mary Amnesia in our production of Nunsense. She also played Agnes Bent in Quaff, when she was surprised by a real-life proposal from Agnes’ love interest after the bows on closing night. Since then Lou has juggled marriage and family with her theatre involvement, finding time to direct the excellent “Love and Other Flushes” in 2021. We are thrilled to have her as part of the team for ‘Charlie Brown’.
Julia Gray – Schroeder
Julia is a new addition to the YAPPERS team, and this is her first musical. Julia also appeared in the challenging mid-pandemic production, ‘The Living Wireless’. Playing the role of Schroeder in ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown’, Julia draws inspiration from the children she has taught over the years as a kindergarten teacher. When not engaged in theatrical pursuits, Julia works out her inner rage against the weeds on her property.
Katy Somerville – Linus Van Pelt
Katy has participated in various aspects of community theatre both on and offstage since she was about 10 years old. Prior to her acting debut she was a theatre kid, attending several Shepparton Theatre Arts Group (STAG) rehearsals with her mother. It was here that she began memorising harmonies and lyrics from various musicals. Katy has performed in lead and supporting roles and worked backstage with STAG, Castabout Productions, Bendigo Theatre Company, and Altona Theatre Company, along with attending and performing in various professional workshops and events. This is approximately the 33rd show Katy has performed on stage. She has loved Peanuts and Charlie Brown since she was a child and is very pleased to play Linus and put her deep Peanuts obsession to some use.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Liz Zito – Director
Liz has 40 years experience on and off stage in community theatre and is a life member of Shepparton Theatre Arts Group (STAG). This is her third foray with YAPPERS and her second with this musical, having previously directed it with STAG in 2003. Her directing credits include Grease, Ladies Night, Monday to Friday, and revues – The Beat, and Only the Beginning. Liz worked with Tricia Baggs to create a series of cabaret revues including ‘Tribute’ and ‘One Hit Wonders’, and has received Georgy Awards for her onstage performances as Sylvia in ‘Sylvia’, and as Sandy in ‘Minefields and Miniskirts’. She has directed plays and revues for corporate events, and co- produced ‘Hit Songs of the War Years’ as Sargant Zito Productions. Liz has been thrilled to get to know such a wonderful team of people who have come together for this show.
Alison Huth – Co-director, Lighting Engineer
Having achieved a Diploma of Arts in Small Companies and Community Theatre in 2000/01 and a Diploma of Arts Event and Technical Production in 2008, Alison continues to hone her skills to support the high production values required for shows like this. Success is a journey not a destination; the travellers on this journey carry the passion and skills making the sum of the parts far greater than the simple equation. With thanks to all fellow travellers on the journey, Yea Arts Inc and YAPPERS members alike, who have worked tirelessly amid the challenges of busy lives to make “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” work; and especially Liz who has forged ahead under difficult personal circumstances, held my hand, shared her experience, inspired me and made me a better person through her example. Chookas all, enjoy yourselves!
CREDITS
Sound Engineer / Music Editor: Adam Dennis
Music Cueing & Control: Darryl King
Choreography: Liz Zito, Alison Huth
Extra Choreography – Suppertime, Snoopy, Blanket and Me, Rabbit Chasing: Michelle Musset
Rehearsal Assistants: Janine Arendsen, Deb Robinson
Costume Design: Katy Somerville
Costume Coordination: Judy Thomson, Liz Zito, Katy Somerville and the cast
Props Coordinator & Accent Coach: Jenny Price
Set Design: Liz Zito, Alison Huth
Set Construction & Painting: Yea Men’s Shed, Allan Thatcher, Drue Thatcher, Liz Zito, Alison Huth, Janine Arendsen, Katy Somerville
Specialty Props: Lulu Moon, Katy Somerville, Rick Collings, Seymour Performers Workshop
Poster Design: Sean Kirkpatrick
Front of House Coordination: Vikki Menhennitt
Marketing: Adam Dennis, Janine Arendsen, Kelly Petering
Ticketing: Adam Dennis
THANKS
Jenny Litherland at Yencken’s Hardware
Alan Cole and Yea Men’s Shed
Troy McKinley and Bronwyn Prater and Shepparton Theatre Arts Group
Teresa Clue at UGFM
Alister Huth
Mark Dooley
Millie Powers-Holmes
Pam Birkett
Bob Glenister
Deb and Geoff Leslie
Yea Library
St Luke’s Hall
SPECIAL THANKS
Alison and Liz want to convey a special note of thanks to the partners, husbands, wives, friends and children of the cast and crew. They gave up time with their beloved talented people so we could bring this show to you. We thank you with all our hearts and will return them to you when the show is over and all our toys packed away!