It’s been 16 years since the students at NCI have performed a musical, but they are bringing it back for this year’s Christmas play with You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. The musical will take place December 15–16 with a pair of 7:00 p.m. performances.

“Students had to audition with Mrs. Horne and me by singing a song and reading a part from the script,” says Deanna Wiebe, the show’s director. Auditions ran in early October. “We enjoyed listening to many wonderful performances and it wasn’t easy choosing which person would take which role.”

NCI will stage two plays a year: this one, involving Grade 7 and 8 students, and another play in spring for the seniors. 

“Isaiah Klassen is playing Charlie Brown,” Wiebe says. “He is in Grade 9 and we brought him down because we needed a solid experienced actor to anchor the musical since this is the first musical that NCI has done in many, many years. Lucy is played by Stefanie Zacharias. Sally is played by Janae Wolfe. Linus is played by Hannah Bergen. Schroeder is played by Jonathan Hiebert, and Snoopy by Marissa Jensen.”

Students have been rehearsing every lunch hour since mid-October. Leading up to the opening night, the cast will have several after-school rehearsals as well.

“The fun part has been finding a spot to rehearse,” says Wiebe. “Sometimes it is in the band room and sometimes a classroom, but on really crazy days, we are in the hallway or squished into my guidance office.”

Two other teachers, Tony Clark and Dwayne Penner, helped build the set. On top of the six main characters, there will be a chorus and side roles.

“The performing arts are alive and well at NCI!” Wiebe adds. “We have many talented kids and I love providing opportunities for them to learn more and showcase their abilities.”

Tickets will be $5 and sold at the door.