Slow Burn Stages YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

Currently nominated for 16 Carbonell Awards for theatrical excellence, Slow Burn Theatre Company will stage You're a Good Man Charlie Brown based on the beloved Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz in the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Thursday, February 28-Sunday, March 10 and at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Thursday, March 14-Sunday, March 17.

Schulz released the book Happiness is a Warm Puppy in 1962 and five years later "blockhead" Charlie Brown ruled Broadway in a production with book, music and lyrics by Clark Gesner. The 1998 Broadway revival, the version to be presented in South Florida, added his sister Sally to the fun and featured additional dialogue by Michael Mayer and additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa.

Current Carbonell Award nominee Cameron Jordan portrays the kite-loving Charlie Brown and is joined by Kristi Rose Mills as the personal philosophy-seeking Sally, Nicole Kinzel as bossy Lucy, Rick Peña as piano prodigy Schroeder, Robert Fritz as blanket-toting Linus and Sahid Pabon as the irrepressible beagle Snoopy. Together they comically struggle with book reports, childhood dilemmas and the heartwarming search for what "Happiness is."

The creative team features two current multiple Carbonell Award nominees with director and choreographer Patrick Fitzwater and scenic designer Michael McClain. The production has music direction by Michael Ursua, lighting design by Tom Shorrock and costume design by Peña, who is pulling double duty in the cast and behind the scenes.

Sensory-friendly performances of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown are specially designed for individuals with sensory processing and autism spectrum disorders and will be offered at the Broward Center on Saturday, March 2 at 2 p.m. and, as a JM Family Enterprises Smart Stage Matinee, on Wednesday, March 6 at 2:30 p.m. before being presented in Aventura as Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m. The adaptive performances include pre-curtain preparatory activities, modifications to stage and auditorium lighting, lower sound volumes and the availability of noise-cancelling devices. Tickets to the sensory-friendly performances start at $10 at the Broward Center and at $15 in Aventura.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc. The Broward Center's sensory-friendly programming is made possible through the generous support of The Taft Foundation, The Batchelor Foundation, The Hagen Family Foundation, Gore Family Memorial Foundation and Florida Blue Foundation. Theatre Development Fund's Autism Theatre Initiative serves as an advisor.

Broward Center audiences may enjoy delicious dining and a full cash bar in the Café at the Abdo New River Room starting 60 minutes prior to the performance and during intermission. Sumptuous sandwiches, salads, snacks and desserts are available for purchase with convenient walk-up service.

Performances at the Broward Center are Thursday-Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 and 6 p.m. Tickets are $50-$60. Buy tickets online at BrowardCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com; by phone at 954.462.0222 or the Broward Center's AutoNation Box Office. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

Show times at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center are Thursday, March 14-Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $45-$49. Buy tickets online at aventuracenter.org, by phone at 877.311.7469, or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 N.E. 188 Street in Aventura.

For more information visit BrowardCenter.org and aventuracenter.org.

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