By Annika Nelson
Walking into the Lincoln Theater for A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage projected you into a Christmas wonderland. The stage was lit with snowflakes as families filtered into their seats. The venue itself set the perfect tone for an evening steeped in nostalgia, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Lincoln Theater popcorn–simply the perfect blend of salty and satisfying. The historic theater created a beautiful atmosphere to settle in and enjoy a show drawing from a Christmas classic.
From the moment the lights dimmed, the production attempted to whisk the audience straight into the world of Charles M. Schulz. While the script stayed remarkably close to the original television special, a few details fell short. The production’s attempt to modernize or energize certain sequences sometimes felt at odds with the quiet simplicity that makes A Charlie Brown Christmas so endearing. Not everything translated well from animation to stage. Some actors embodied the beloved Peanuts characters with impressive accuracy; Charlie Brown in particular captured the spirit of earnestness and uncertainty quite well. Others, like Snoopy, brought the magic to a crashing halt as the famously wordless character was portrayed by a fully embodied actor, uttering barks that sounded far too close to words. Maybe this is just my perception as someone who grew up on the comic strip and TV special, but these key moments where they chose to stray from defining characteristics of the Charlie Brown universe made it hard for me to be fully on board.
The show was clearly crafted with children in mind, and were I five years old in my plaid Christmas dress with puffed sleeves (I know you know the one) perhaps I would have enjoyed it more. The audience was filled with excited kids and their Snoopy stuffed animals, and the cast leaned into that energy. There were playful participation opportunities throughout the show, like during the snowball fight when actors encouraged the children to take part. Laughter soared throughout the theater as soft snowballs flew, making the moment feel alive, spontaneous, and wonderfully chaotic.
The live jazz band truly elevated the experience. The character Pigpen both acted in the show and played his famous upright bass. Hearing Vince Guaraldi’s iconic score performed live added a vibrant texture to the show, enriching the storytelling. The musicians brought a richness to each scene, grounding the more chaotic moments with a sense of authenticity and holiday charm. Their presence reminisced on the original’s special emotional heartbeat as the familiar jazz melodies often felt like gentle anchors pulling the show back towards its roots.
The show certainly attempted to breathe new life into a beloved classic–one I’m not sure it was ready for. With giggling children, families hugging each other a bit tighter, and the Peanuts gang gathering around their infamous tree, the theater emanated a bit of collective nostalgia. So while certain creative choices missed the mark, the spirit of the season hung warmly in the air, gently prompting theater goers to remember the true meaning of Christmas and disregard commercialism for a season of love, hope, joy, and care.
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