YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN
Cast
Charlie Brown - Joe Colletti
Joe's first theater memory was seeing YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN when he was seven years old, and Snoopy causing him to fall laughing into the aisle. Many years and many shows later, he's delighted to be working with KED and a terrific cast, and sharing this show with you. If you've ever danced between self-confidence and self-doubt-- fought to keep a kite in the sky, or talk to someone you have a crush on-- then you may understand what Charles Schultz knew decades ago. We're all of us a little Charlie Brown. Enjoy the show!"
Lucy - Jada Diaz
Jada Diaz is a singer, dancer, and actor. A Lincoln County native, Jada ventured out of the Gem State for her formative years, to Northern California, where she attended Inspire School of Arts and Sciences where she majored in Musical Theatre and Vocal Music. Jada returned to her Idaho roots four years ago, and continued her journey performing in shows around the Valley including: BEEHIVE (2021) and EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL (2022) at Stage Coach Theater, and most recently played Jeanie in HAIR (2023) at Alley Repertory Theater. Jada is beyond thrilled to be a part of The Peanuts gang and can’t wait to spread “Happiness” to the audience.
Linus - John McCrostie
John is excited to act on the KED stage once again in YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN. With a strong musical background, he sang in the Christmas review TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY, and served as music director for KED’s 2001 production of TWO BY TWO. Prior KED musical productions in which he acted include TWO BY TWO (Shem), THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (Ching Ho), A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm), TITANIC (Murdoch/Widener/ 3rd class passenger), WORKING (Nunez/Werner/Blossom), and PIRATES OF PENZANCE (pirate/policeman/music director). John currently teaches band to 5th and 6th grade students in the Boise School District.
Shroeder - Levi Bruner
Levi is excited to be playing Schroeder!
Levi began his musical theatre journey 18 years ago as Schroeder, and is thrilled by the opportunity to play him again!
Levi began his professional career in the US Marine Corps as a clarinetist/singer. After performing around the world, and achieving the rank of sergeant, Levi exited the service and returned to Idaho. He earned his BBA in Business Management at Idaho State University, and currently works as a software engineer. In his downtime, Levi loves to write music - and he just released his debut album, “Me, Myself, & Levi” on all platforms.
He was most recently seen as Woof in Alley Rep’s production of HAIR, but some of his favorite roles include Quasimodo – THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME; Jervis – DADDY LONG LEGS; and Dan – NEXT TO NORMAL
Everyone's Friend - Darian Renee
Darian Renee is a musical theater veteran in the Treasure Valley. She has been on the KED stage for revues BROADWAY THROUGH THE DECADES and TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY, and as Goldie in TWO BY TWO. You may recognize her from other theatre productions of CINDERELLA, THE WIZARD OF OZ, and BEEHIVE THE 60’s MUSICAL. Offstage, she has been the Music Director for several productions and coaches young thespians. Her voice graces 6 FM radio stations in the valley. She is also an accomplished singer-songwriter with original music.
Snoopy - Eliot DeHaven
Eliot is excited to be playing Snoopy in tonight’s production of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN! This is Eliot’s first appearance on the Knock ‘em Dead stage.
A student of classical voice performance, Eliot will be a sophomore in Boise State’s Voice Department this coming August. Recent performances have included Mr. Fogg in SWEENEY TODD and Carlos in SOMETHING TO LOSE: A NEW MUSICAL at Utah State University.
Charles M. Schulz
Charles M. Schulz was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 26, 1922. His Peanuts comic strip debuted in 1950 in just seven newspapers and launched a cultural legacy. When Schulz announced his retirement in December 1999, Peanuts was syndicated in over 2,600 newspapers worldwide, with book collections translated in over 25 languages.
The recipient of two Reuben Awards from the National Cartoonists Society and inductee into the Cartoonist Hall of Fame, Schulz also scripted and storyboarded numerous television specials, earning five Emmy and two Peabody Awards. He was awarded many different honors, including the Ordre des Artes et des Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture; the Lester Patrick Award (the only recipient who was not a professional hockey player); a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a Carnegie Hall-commissioned concerto by Ellen Zwilich entitled "Peanuts Gallery." Charles M. Schulz died on February 13, 2000, but his Peanuts gang continues to entertain and inspire the young and the young at heart.
Clark Gesner
Clark Gesner (1938-2002) was an American composer, songwriter, author, and actor. In addition to You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Mr. Gesner wrote the book, music and lyrics for Animal Fair, which premiered at the Denver Center Theatre, and with Nagle Jackson, Broadway's The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall. For television, he wrote for Captain Kangaroo, Sesame Street and That Was The Week That Was, and on stage for the revues of Leonard Sillman and Julius Monk. He appeared regularly in B. T. McNicholl's Musicals in Concert series and performed regionally in 1776, Lend Me a Tenor, Carnival! and other musicals, as well as eight years of productions at the Weston (Vermont) Playhouse. The Jello Is Always Red, a revue of Mr. Gesner's cabaret and theatre songs, was produced by the York Theatre Company.
