Photo Flash: 9 Works Theatrical Presents YOUÂ'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

Co-written by Jude Cartalaba

Manila, Philippines, February 21, 2012 – For its first offering this year, 2011 BroadwayWorld Philippines' Best Theater Company, 9 Works Theatrical, presents the musical comedy You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown – based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles Schulz; featuring book by John Gordon, and music and lyrics by Clark Gesner.  You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown runs at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City until Saturday, March 3.

Despite the absence of a lavish set (the show's creative team opts for background images that depict Peanuts' comic strips), the performances of the six actors on stage outweigh everything.

Robbie Guevara, 9 Works Theatrical's artistic director, breathes life into Charlie Brown's character effortlessly fine. He intelligently paints an image of a child who's treated like an adult; he's extraordinarily serious and at the same time extraordinarily funny.

The rest of the cast members such as Franco Laurel (Linus), Carla Guevara-Laforteza (Lucy), Sweet Plantado-Tiongson (Charlie's sister, Sally), Tonipet Gaba (Schroeder), and Lorenz Martinez (dog Snoopy) have their shining moments in the play.  However, it's Tiongson who makes a memorable performance during her hilarious rendition of "My New Philosophy" in Act Two.

Michael Williams (Leading Ladies, Love, Loss and What I Wore) directs the production. Toff de Venecia, who's an alternate actor for the role of Linus, is Williams' assistant director.  Joseph Tolentino and Tiongson are musical directors for instruments and vocals respectively. Deana Aquino is choreographer; Mio Infante is scenographer; Martin Esteva is lighting designer; Chuck Ledesma is sound engineer; Infante and Twinkle Zamora are costume designers; Larry Palma is graphic designer; and Richard Lazaro is photographer.

Performances on Fridays are at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. For tickets, contact (632) 5575860, (632) 5867105, (63) 9175545560 or send an email to info@9workstheatrical.com.

Photos by Dale Bacar and Sundee Guevara