BWW Interviews: Gabe Friedman of Athens Theatre's YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN

BroadwayWorld Orlando is proud to support theater not just locally, but all around Central Florida. Currently playing at the Athens Theatre in DeLand is the classic musical YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN. Based off the comic strip made famous by Charles M. Schulz, the musical revolves around Charlie Brown and his group of friends. We had a moment with Gabe Friedman, who plays Charlie Brown, to chat about his involvement in this show.

BWW: Hi Gabe. So you play Charlie Brown in Athens Theatre's production of YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN. What has it been like to play such an iconic character?

Gabe Friedman: it's been an absolute blast! With this kind of show, you can be as big and fun as you want. We're portraying cartoons, so people are already expecting larger than life characters. This show is based on the comic strip by Charles Shulz, but it has added dialogue by the composer/lyricist Charles Gesner, so it also has some simple, natural moments when you least expect it, too.

BWW: Is there any event from your past or in your training that helped you relate to Charlie Brown?

GF: Charlie Brown is depressed almost 24/7. Luckily, I have never been as constantly upset as he is, but everyone can relate to the simple ups and downs of childhood. I try to channel what it felt like for everything that happened to a child to be a life and death situation.

BWW: Tell me about your cast mates. Do you guys embody the Peanuts gang?

GF: My cast mates are incredible. There are only six people in the entire cast, so although we have only had about three weeks of rehearsal, we've gotten really close. The show has Linus, Schroeder, Sally, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and Lucy, who's played by Claney Outzen who I've known since I was 8. She is Lucy. Our relationship is literally CB and Lucy. It's great and she's incredible.

BWW: What was the rehearsal process like?

GF: Fast! We only had ten days of rehearsal off and on before we began tech week. Charlie Brown is in almost every scene in the show, so learning the lines that fast was definitely a challenge, but worth it! Now I know how I can do it in the future!

BWW: Our Orlando audience may not be as familiar with DeLand and the Athens Theater. What is it like there and what is it like working in the Athens Theater?

GF: It's a drive (about 50 mins from Orlando), but downtown DeLand is SUPER cute. It reminds me a lot of downtown Pensacola, my hometown. And the community LOVES the Athens. The Main Street is lined with posters of the show! It was so nice to see that when I first drove to DeLand to audition. It was very reassuring. The Athens Theatre itself is beautiful! They renovated it after many years of disrepair and reopened it in 2009. I've known a couple people who have done shows with them but never got a chance to go see them. Now that I've worked here, I will definitely see shows here in the future. I actually have a friend in Cabaret that will be playing in April.

BWW: Do you have any recommendations for places to eat in DeLand?

GF: There's a pizza place called Tony's right next door to the theatre that is TO DIE FOR! Also, if you want drinks, I'd recommend Brickhouse (two for one margaritas) or Halfwall.

BWW: What is it about YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN that makes audiences love the show?

GF: The music is surprisingly beautiful for a show about Charlie Brown. Clark Gesner is really only known for this show, but I wish his work was more popular because it's incredible and intricate. Everyone born in the 1960's and beyond grew up with Charlie Brown. We are familiar with all of Shulz's stories, but seeing them on stage and with song and dance is such a different experience.

BWW: Tell me about Snoopy. Who plays him? Is he funny?

GF: Erik Perry plays Snoopy. His voice is ridiculous (in the best way). He has this hilarious laugh that sounds exactly like the cartoon! "Suppertime" is a show stopper.

BWW: For audiences who are not familiar with the show, what is a "Don't Miss" scene?

GF: "Beethoven Day" for sure! The song was added in the 1999 revival by Andrew Lippa and is one of the most well-known songs from the show. Our Schroeder, Aladdin Demps, sings it with amazing power and tone. It's also one of the most fun songs to sing and dance to!

BWW: What's up next for you Gabe? Can you tell us any projects you'll be doing next?

GF: I can! The first annual UCF Celebrates the Arts Festival is happening in April! My friend Ashley Turner and I will be singing "Our Children" in the Theatre UCF part of it on April 11th at 6 PM and April 12th at 4 PM. The event is absolutely free to the general public, but you must reserve your ticket online or by phone.

To find about more about Gabe and his projects visit www.Gabe-Friedman.com. YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN runs at the Athens Theatre in DeLand now through March 22nd. For tickets and more information visit, http://www.athensdeland.com/ .

Photo Credit: Oxley Photography

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