| Snoopy!!! | |
| The Musical | |
| Music | Larry Grossman |
|---|---|
| Lyrics | Hal Hackady |
| Book | Warren Lockhart, Arthur Whitelaw, and Michael Grace |
| Basis | Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts |
| Productions | 1975 San Francisco 1982 Off-Broadway 1983 London 1988 U.S. Television 2003 Off-West-End 2004 London |
Snoopy!!! The Musical is a musical comedy by Larry Grossman and Hal Hackady (lyrics), with a book by Warren Lockhart, Arthur Whitelaw, and Michael Grace. It was based on the Charles M. Schulz comic strip Peanuts. This sequel to the musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown focuses more on the life of Snoopy.
The London production of the musical had twenty songs, while the American version had fourteen, including a few solos for Snoopy ("The Big Bow-Wow") and Charlie Brown ("Where Did That Little Dog Go?") as well as a song sung by Linus as he waits for the Great Pumpkin to appear on Halloween ("The Vigil"). Peppermint Patty also has a song where she expresses her love for Charlie Brown ("Poor Sweet Baby").
Contents |
Productions
Snoopy!!! The Musical premiered on December 9, 1975 at the Little Fox Theatre in San Francisco, California. Directed by Arthur Whitelaw, the cast featured Don Potter, Jimmy Dodge, and Pamela Myers.[1][2]
The musical was produced Off-Broadway at the Lamb's Theatre from December 20, 1982 through May 1, 1983. Directed by Whitlaw, the cast included David Garrison as Snoopy, Terry Kerwin as Charlie Brown and Vicki Lewis as Peppermint Patty. Lorna Luft played Peppermint Patty starting on February 21, 1983.[3]
The musical ran at the West End Duchess Theatre from 20 September 1983 through 11 November 1984 for 479 performances[4], and featured Susie Blake. The production was nominated for the Olivier Award, Musical of the Year, and Teddy Kempner was nominated Actor of the Year in a Musical.[5] It was revived at the Off-West-End Jermyn Street Theatre in February 2003 for 14 performances. The musical ran at the New Players Theatre, London, in July 2004, with several cast members from the Jermyn Street production and again directed by Whitelaw, the original director.[6][7]
A prime-time animated TV special based on the musical, also called Snoopy!!! The Musical, aired on the CBS network in 1988.
The musical has been produced by many regional theatres, such as by The Journeymen Theater Company, Chicago, Illinois in July 2009, and The Knightsbridge Theatre, Los Angeles, California in July 2009 through August 2009.[8][9]
Plot
Summary: the show is a "series of self-contained vignettes".[10]
Charlie Brown's friends try to figure out why he has chosen Snoopy as his pet. As Snoopy lies on top of his dog house, the children go off to school. Charlie Brown is now a Safety Patrolman. In school, the children are challenged by their school-work. As Snoopy is becoming independent Charlie does not understand ("Where Did That Little Dog Go?"). Snoopy's latest play is rejected, but his spirits remain high, and he is finally named Head Beagle. Lucy opens her psychiatric booth and tries to help Charlie. The children are optimistic ("Don't Be Anything Less Than Everything You Can Be").
Characters
Songs
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† Added for the London version
The Original Cast album contains another song, "Friend", also performed by the Ensemble (after "Daisy Hill").
Response
In his review of the 1983 Lamb's Theatre production, Mel Gussow wrote: "If the musical "Snoopy!" were nose-to-nose with Mr.[David] Garrison's performance, it would be a subject for celebration. Sadly, this sequel ...is a hand-me-down...the show meanders all over play-school country...The book, which is credited to three individual writers as well as a task force called "Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates" is a pastepot of 'Peanuts' dialogue that wanders into various other neighborhoods in order to accommodate the score."[11]
In reviewing the 2004 London production, the Whats On Stage reviewer noted "...this is a show for all ages and all seasons - and as a sunny summer's entertainment, could hardly be bettered. The musical retains the fast, sharp comic appeal and instantly recognisable characterisations of the line-drawing originals, but also irresistibly brings it to human form by buoying up its snapshot scenes with the tuneful ease of the light, bright melodies of composer Larry Grossman's settings to Hal Hackaday's apt, witty lyrics."[10]
References
- ^ Listingtams-witmark.com, accessed July 30, 2009
- ^ Suskin, Steven. Show tunes (2000), Oxford University Press US, ISBN 0195125991, p. 350
- ^ The New York Times, Display ad, February 21, 1983, p. C12
- ^ Snoopy at the Duchess Theatrethisistheatre.com, accessed July 30, 2009
- ^ Olivier Winners, 1983officiallondontheatre.co.uk, accessed July 30, 2009
- ^ Loveridge, Lizzie."A CurtainUp Review:Snoopy the Musical"curtainup.com, February 17, 2003
- ^ "Snoopy! The Musical Returns,"britishtheatreguide.info, 12 June, 2004
- ^ Snoopy listing, 2009, Chicagotheatreinchicago.com, accessed July 30, 2009
- ^ Snoopy at Knightsbridge, 2009knightsbridgetheatre.com, accessed July 30, 2009
- ^ a b Shenton, Mark."Snoopy!The Musical",whatsonstage.com, 21 July 2004
- ^ Gussow, Mel. "Stage: Snoopy is Back On Doghouse Singing", The New Yotk Times, December 24, 1982, p.C6
External links
- Snoopy!!! The Musical at Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Listing at guidetomusicaltheatre.com
- Internet Movie Database, Snoopy:The Musical, 1988
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