A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR:
Based on the popular daily and Sunday comic strip, Peanuts, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” first aired on television in 1965. In the special, Charlie Brown finds himself depressed the onset of the cheerful holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a school Christmas play, but, he is both ignored and mocked by his peers. The story touches on the over commercialization and secularism of Christmas, and serves to remind viewers of the true meaning of Christmas.
The special has aired continuously since 1965, and continues to provide viewers with feelings of nostalgia around the holiday season. Like other classic Christmas specials (“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”) watching a “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has become an annual tradition in my family that my Dad started with me many years ago, and now, I have passed on to my son, Paul (who is making his on stage debut as Snoopy in this production.)
It has been a rather enjoyable experience bringing “A Charlie Brown Christmas” to the stage in this production. However, it has provided quite a bit of challenges. It was difficult trying to figure out how to re-create the animated special and these cartoon characters in a live action setting. It was my goal to make it as close to the original special as possible. “How does one do that?”, you ask. The answer is very delicately. I wanted to pay the appropriate homage to these characters who have become such a staple in popular culture, and to give them the respect that they deserve. I felt challenged in the design aspect of certain areas, and enjoyed the experience immensely. This production is appropriate for all ages, and supports exactly what the theatre is intended to do-allow and opportunity for an escape from reality, and to create magic on stage while being a form of live entertainment.
On a more personal note, I would like to dedicate this production of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” to my Dad. Year after year, we would watch this show together. It was a part of our tradition. No matter how many times we had seen it, we enjoyed the story, and discussing the familiar score of the Vince Guaraldi Trio-one of my personal favorites in the jazz genre. I lost my Dad two years ago, but, I know he is watching over this theatre, and he would be impressed and tickled at the fantastic job that the students have done with this timeless holiday class.
On behalf of the Kennedale High School Headliners and myself, we wish you a very Happy Holiday season.
Enjoy the show.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:
Genevieve has worked in various professional and community theatres across the Dallas/Fort Worth area as an actor, director and designer. She is a graduate of The University of North Texas, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts, and a graduate of Southern Methodist University with a Master of Liberal Studies in Theatre Arts. Her passion for the performing arts industry extends into Radio, having worked at KNTU-FM (88.1 The One) at UNT as a Drive-Time DJ, and a news anchor. She has additional experience working with CBS Radio-Dallas (98.7 KLUV-FM) in the Promotions and Programming Departments. For the past ten years, Genevieve has worked as a Theatre and Speech Educator, and truly believes in the difference that the Arts make in schools, and the futures of students. In her spare time, Genevieve is an Associate Theatre Critic for John Garcia's The Column, a nationally syndicated Theatre column.
