Curtain Falls On Spring Play

By Catarina Cruz

College Hill Writer

SCCC’s timeless theatrical homage to Charlie Brown filled both seats and hearts

Photo submitted by Cheryl Conway

Sussex County Community College’s spring production “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!” went off without a hitch through the first two weeks of April. 

Theater Adjunct Professor Allison Ognibene helped handle the house in the Performing Arts Center in Newton as people arrived and reported on ticket sales. Across all six shows, there were more than 500 people who attended. 

Guest Director Christa Piper of North Star gave a short speech to the audience before each show, giving information on the play itself and sharing her thanks to the audience and college for the opportunity.

As a double cast play, the first weekend of April 4 and 5 was covered by the following cast: Chris Flatt as Charlie Brown, Nadia Cameron as Sally Brown, Sky Sobieski as Snoopy, Lydia Rivera as Lucy Van Pelt, Thomas Russo as Linus Van Pelt and Fenrir Lewin as Schroeder.

The second weekend of April 10, 11, and 12 involved Caesar Arana as Charlie Brown, Rebecca Job as Sally Brown, Danielle DiBattista as Snoopy, Molly McQueeney as Lucy Van Pelt, Jason Cahill as Linus Van Pelt and Chris Flatt as Schroeder.

Rehearsals began in February and continued throughout the midterms. Both casts have dedicated dozens of hours to learning the musical, some even assisting the crew when not performing on stage themselves.

Photo submitted by Cheryl Conway

Immediately before the play was tech week, a tough sequence of running through the play multiple times each rehearsal to introduce the technical aspects—lights, mics, sound effects, projections and other minutiae. 

Projections from Professor Anthony Ur and alumnus Leo Watson brightened the play, providing easy-to-transition backgrounds and fun visuals. One standout sequence was “Suppertime” performed by Snoopy, with a variety of flashing neon signs on the cyclorama.

Across each performance, the audience was engaged and excited, giving raucous applause at the end of every song. The lobby was filled with people eager to congratulate cast members and discuss the show.

“I thought it was a very charming and joyful show,” said Isabella Cruz of Vernon. “Perfect to see with friends and family. Very wholesome, very uplifting.”

Spirits were high by the end of the show, though several cast and crew members expressed that they would miss being so involved in the community until the next show. They were equally proud of all the work they had done for the play.

“It was amazing and wonderful,” said Danielle DiBattista of Vernon, one of the actresses for Snoopy. “Everyone did great in their roles and it was a fun cast!”

SCCC will announce its plans for the fall 2025 production via email and its website once the fall semester is closer.