Poor Charlie Brown.

Between being the only one to not get a Valentine and putting off book reports and paying for it later, Charlie Brown can’t seem to get it right.

These are just some of the themes expressed in “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” the musical presented by the Toledo School for the Arts.

The play opened yesterday and will continue to run until Sunday at Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Starring a cast of 11- to 18-year-olds, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” incorporates singing and acting in the Toledo School for the Arts’ fourth production this year.

David Saygers, producer, said the Toledo School for the Arts puts on a show every fall with the discretion of four directors who choose the plays.

This year, the cast has been rehearsing production for eight weeks.

“We try to keep our production schedule to eight weeks including the shows,” Saygers said. “We want a fairly realistic idea about what production goes through in professional production.”

According to Saygers, Toledo doesn’t have any professional acting companies, so about a half-dozen amateur and volunteer companies have sprung up to provide the drama queens and kings of the Toledo area a chance to shine.

That’s where the Toledo School for the Arts comes into play.

“We produce about 30 performances a year,” Saygers said, “but our students are probably doing 90 performances a year of various kinds.”

Saygers said the stars of the play were narrowed down from a list of 100 to 50. The roles were given to the actors who illustrated the ability to sing in key and act out a dramatic portion.

Shelby Butz said she rehearsed for the play by practicing a music piece she picked out for at least 15 minutes a day, everyday.

This was what landed her a spot as Sally, Charlie Brown’s sister.

Butz – who is 12 years old – is handling the musical like a pro.

“I was a bit nervous, but it wasn’t too bad because I’ve tried out for things before,” Butz said. “I just tried my best and I did pretty good. I’ve always been interested in doing musicals and everything. Last year, I played Annie [in “Annie”] and I was in various performances last year. [“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown] looked like a lot of fun, so I tried out for it.”

Butz said she wants to be on Broadway when she grows up and loves drama and watching plays.

“I like a lot of things, but right now, since this is really new to me and it’s a lot of fun to do, right now ‘Charlie Brown’ is my favorite play.”

The young actress said she knew most of the actors through the Toledo School for the Arts. But performing in this play has brought all of them close together. She ended up with something more than she imagined.

“I knew pretty much every one I was with, but when I was doing the show, I formed an even bigger bond and friendship with everyone else,” Butz said.

Tickets can be purchased at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts and are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

‘#160;

‘#160;

‘#160;

‘#160;