Good grief! Peanuts gang coming to Fringe

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This article was published 11/07/2014 (4425 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Some of North America’s most beloved characters will be gracing the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival stage.

The North Kildonan Community Players, under the name NKCP for Kids, are officially entering the festival for the first time with Snoopy: The Musical, which features prominent members of the Peanuts gang.

Director Laurie Fischer, who will also play Charlie Brown, previously performed in a decidedly darker Fringe production — Murder at the Fringe — in 2012. He is looking forward to the lighter fare based on Charles Schulz’s long-running comic strip.

“We’re really excited about entertaining kids, it’s going to be really fun,” he said.

The original version of Snoopy by Larry Grossman and Hal Hackady clocked in at over two hours, but the group pared it down by about half in order to make it just the right length for young viewers. Fischer explained the musical is presented in the form of “a year in the life” of the characters through short scenes, so some scenes made the cut while others were dropped.

“They’re small vignettes based on the comic strip,” Fischer explained. “Because we’re entertaining kids and their families, we didn’t want any of the slow, melodic solo music.

“It’s all the ensemble numbers that we kept in, so it’s the upbeat numbers.”

The show revolves around Snoopy, who talks but is only understood by feathered friend Woodstock. Fischer explained the play works well because “everyone loves Snoopy”.

The 60-year-old said the cast members range in age from their mid-20s to 60, and the performers all tend to act their age as opposed to playing children.

“You play your chronological age,” he said. “Whenever you see the show, it’s different age ranges doing it, just playing the different roles and having some fun.”

The show will be staged at the Kids Venue at the School of Contemporary Dancers (211 Bannatyne Ave.).

Showtimes are:
• Fri., July 18 at 11 a.m.
• Sat., July 19 at 12:30 p.m.
• Sun., July 20 at 2 p.m.
• Tues., July 22 at 12:30 p.m.
• Wed., July 23 at 2 p.m.
• Thurs., July 24 at 5 p.m.
• Fri., July 25 at 3:30 p.m.
• Sun., July 27 at 5 p.m.

For more information, visit www.winnipegfringe.com

In terms of its annual fall production, the group will perform Fiddler on the Roof this November, with auditions slated for Aug. 25 and 26. Those interested in lining up an audition can contact Fischer at northkildonancommunityplayers@gmail.com

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