A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS makes its First Stage debut this ...

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Nov 27, 2015 - Milwaukee, WI – Ring in the holiday season with Charlie Brown, Linus ... 929 N. Water Street, by phone
Office address: 325 W. Walnut Street  Milwaukee, WI 53212 Tickets: (414) 273-7206  Fax: (414) 267-2930  www.FirstStage.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Erica Davis (414) 267-2931 or [email protected]

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS makes its First Stage debut this holiday season November 27, 2015 – January 3, 2016 Todd Wehr Theater, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts By Charles M. Schulz Based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson Stage adaptation by Eric Schaeffer By special arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson Directed by Jeff Frank This play is for everyone ages 3 and up. Sponsored by Associated Bank and Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren Milwaukee, WI – Ring in the holiday season with Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and the rest of the Peanuts gang as A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS makes its First Stage debut November 27, 2015 – January 3, 2016. Performances take place at the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater, located at 929 N. Water Street, downtown Milwaukee. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center box office at 929 N. Water Street, by phone at (414) 273-7206 or online at www.firststage.org. Based on the heart-warming television special, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS follows Charlie Brown as he navigates the Yuletide blues, searching for the true spirit of the holiday season. First Stage Artistic Director Jeff Frank directs as First Stage welcomes A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS to the Todd Wehr Stage for the first time. "Schulz and director Bill Melendez were both adamant that actual children should voice the beloved Peanuts gang,” said Jeff Frank. “They couldn't fathom adults speaking the words and felt that young people would give the piece more humanity and truth. They were right - and our young performers are eager to bring them to life on stage.” Veteran Milwaukee actor Matt Daniels inhabits the role of Snoopy, as the only adult actor working with two alternating casts of young performers. Music Director Jack Forbes Wilson will be at the piano playing the music we all know and love live at each performance. -more-

First Stage presents A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS/add one First Stage’s production of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS is sponsored by Associated Bank and Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren. Media sponsors include FOX6, MetroParent Magazine, and Oldies 95.7 FM. Jeff Frank (Director) has been First Stage’s artistic director since February 2003. Previously he had served as education director/associate artistic director. Jeff is a native Wisconsinite who earned a B.F.A. in theater from UW–Whitewater and went on to the University of Utah, earning an M.F.A. in child drama. Over the past 18 seasons Jeff has directed over 50 First Stage productions. Among his favorites are: LUCHADORA, BIG, THE MUSICAL; CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY; PETER PAN AND WENDY; U: BUG: ME; THE NEVERENDING STORY; SLEEPING BEAUTY; TOM SAWYER; SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON; LILLY’S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE; A LITTLE HOUSE CHRISTMAS; THE HOBBIT; A MIDNIGHT CRY; PERSEUS BAYOU; A CHRISTMAS STORY and THE GIVER. Matt Daniels (Snoopy) Matt is a frequent collaborator at First Stage, as an actor (SHREK THE MUSICAL, A MIDNIGHT CRY, A WRINKLE IN TIME, AESOP'S FABLES, FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS and NANCY DREW AND HER BIGGEST CASE EVER), director (JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER™: THE MUSICAL, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, CYMBELINE, ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD and THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD), and teacher for the Theater Academy. He has numerous credits with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, In Tandem Theater, and the late Milwaukee Shakespeare, and has also performed with Forward Theater, Kentucky Rep., Lake Geneva Theater Co., several regional Shakespeare Festivals, and on many independent stages in New York. Matt's directing work has been seen locally at First Stage, MCT’s New Play Development series, Sunset Playhouse, and goats & monkeys. An avid ukulelist, he enjoys time spent with Il Bazzone's Jumping Flea Circus. He is the associate director of First Stage's Young Company and a graduate of the Juilliard Drama Division. The adult actor cast of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS includes Matt Daniels (Member of Actor’s Equity Association) as Snoopy. First Stage fellow Johnny Williams will understudy the role of Snoopy. Young performer roles are double cast. Young performers in the Schulz Cast are Ben Kindler (as Charlie) and Andrew Kindler (as Pig Pen) from Brookfield; Ben Kramer (as Schroeder) from Fox Point; Holden Glass (as Linus) from Hartford; Anthony Bagley (as Shermy) and Sydney Johnson (Featured Skater/Ensemble) from Waukesha; Claire Zempel (as Lucy) from Wauwatosa; Claire Holtebeck (as Violet) from Saukville; Michalene McQuide (as Sally) from Elm Grove; Lizzie Borg (as Frieda), Abby Thompson (as Patty) and Malik Clark (Ensemble) from Milwaukee; Kate Ketelhohn (Ensemble) from Cedarburg and Riley Halpern (Ensemble) Whitefish Bay. Young performers in the Sparky Cast include Jake Koch (as Charlie) and Hope Stiverson (as Frieda) from Pewaukee; Lawrence Hapeman (as Schroeder) from Muskego, Jonathan Neustifter (as Linus) from -more-

First Stage presents A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS/add two Racine, Sawyer Esten (as Shermy) and Greta Dane (Ensemble) from Cedarburg; Selvin Forsythe (as Pig Pen) from West Allis; Miranda Cecsarini (as Lucy), Lonnae Hickman (as Patty) and Asha Metcalfe (Featured Skater/Ensemble) from Milwaukee; Lily Baranowski (as Violet) from Brookfield; Harper Navin (as Sally) from Franklin; Isabella Lozier (Ensemble) from Shorewood and Sam Gist (Ensemble) from Glendale. The Artistic Staff for A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS includes: Jack Forbes Wilson (Music Director); Jennifer Adams (Choreographer); Martin McClendon (Scenic Designer); Noele Stollmack (Lighting Designer); Jason Orlenko (Costume Designer); Matt Whitmore (Sound Designer); Sarah Deming-Henes (Stage Manager) and Lauren Gingold (Assistant Stage Manager). Tickets start at $15. Tickets may be purchased at www.firststage.org or through the Marcus Center box office, in person at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee or by phone (414) 273-7206 or toll free at (888) 612-3500. The number for TDD (for deaf and hard of hearing patrons) is (414) 273-3080. Group Sales – Groups of 10 or more receive 15% off main floor, regular single ticket prices on most First Stage performances at the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater. Call (414) 267-2964 or email [email protected] for more information. First Stage Family Packages – any combination of tickets for three or more plays in our 2015-16 season – are on sale now. Family package prices are available at up to 30% off the cost of regular single ticket prices. Benefits include unlimited ticket exchanges, free family workshops, backstage tours and more. Special events for A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS Opening Night Reception: Friday, November 27 – Following the opening night performance, First Stage invites all patrons to attend the Opening Night Reception at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, located one mile from the Marcus Center at 325 W. Walnut Street. Patrons can mix and mingle with the cast and crew of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS while enjoying refreshments, courtesy of First Stage. Grandparent Holiday Brunch: Sunday, December 20 – Enjoy a festive holiday brunch at the InterContinental Hotel, then see the 1:00 p.m. performance of First Stage's A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS! Along with a delicious brunch, families will enjoy an exclusive pre-performance activity and a special gift. Tickets and information are available at www.FirstStage.org/Grandparents.

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FACT SHEET About: A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS Location: The Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater, 929 N. Water Street, Milwaukee Dates: November 27, 2015 – January 3, 2016 Description: “Christmastime is here…Happiness and cheer….” The cherished holiday classic you know and love makes its First Stage debut this season. Christmas lights may be twinkling red and green, but Charlie Brown has the Yuletide blues. Will directing the Christmas play help him get in the spirit of the season? Join Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang to discover the true meaning of Christmas. For everyone ages 3 and up. Performances:  Friday, November 27 at 7:00 p.m. – OPENING NIGHT  Saturday, November 28 at 1:00, 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.  Sunday, November 29 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.  Wednesday, December 2 at 7:00 p.m. – PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE PERFORMANCE  Friday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m.  Saturday, December 5 at 1:00, 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.  Sunday, December 6 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.  Friday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m.  Saturday, December 12 at 1:00, 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.  Sunday, December 13 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.  Friday, December 18 at 7:00 p.m.  Saturday, December 19 at 1:00, 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.  Sunday, December 20 at 1 & 3:30 p.m.  Tuesday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m.  Wednesday, December 23 at 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.  Thursday, December 24 at 1:00 p.m.  Saturday, December 26 at 1:00, 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.  Sunday, December 27 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.  Tuesday, December 29 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.  Wednesday, December 30 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.  Thursday, December 31 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.  Saturday, January 2 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.  Sunday, January 3 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m. Ticket and information: Tickets start at $15. Call (414) 273-7206 or online at www.firststage.org ASL Interpreted Performance: Sunday, January 3 at 3:30 p.m. – this performance will be sign language interpreted for patrons who are deaf or have low hearing. Assistive listening devices are also available at the Todd Wehr Theater.

About First Stage Since 1987, First Stage touches hearts, engages minds, and transforms lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences for young people and families through professional theater productions that inspire, enlighten, and entertain; unparalleled Theater Academy training that fosters life skills through stage skills; and dynamic Theater in Education programs that promote active learning in our schools and community. In 2012, First Stage was selected to participate in the Partners in Education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education, Theatre Wisconsin, and Milwaukee Arts Partners, and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF). ###