BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

CANTON — There will be a live audience for the Canton Central School Thespians performance of the musical “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” with performances set for April 30 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee at 2 p.m. on May 1.

There was no formal vote at the school board meeting April 19, but a show of hands by board members in support of allowing a live audience was overwhelming.

“So I just wanted to thank you so much for allowing the kids and myself to move back to what feels like normal,” said Kimberly Busch, music teacher, at Canton Central School.

Busch is also in charge of the musical production at the school.

“Today was the first day in so many, where I was just busy … running around doing NYSSMA solos, and things for the show and you know I’ve been here since 7:45 this morning and it feels like I am at work again. So thanks.”

As of the meeting, students did not know that the play would be available to a live audience.

“There’s so many things that have been taken away from them,“ Busch said about not wanting students to get their hopes up.

Busch said the school used a ticket program that blocks off seating in the auditorium to automatically maintain the proper social distancing.

There would be three tickets per cast and crew member allowed per show. Busch estimated that around 93 people total would attend each show with cast, crew, and a handful of others. This is below the state allowance.

People can still choose to watch the show virtually, which would help the club financially.

Online ticket prices are $8.50 for students and senior citizens and $11.50 for adults.

Streaming passes are available online at cantoncs.booktix.com.

For more information email Kimberly Busch at kbusch@ccsdk12.org.

“Happiness is…” the many wonderful moments of childhood brought to life by Charles Schulz in the Peanuts comic strip. In this musical version of the popular comic, Charlie Brown (Sam Moses) is comforted by his friend Linus (Henry Hebb) as he endures the frequent “advice” offered by Linus’s sister, Lucy van Pelt (Emma Gainey). Schroeder (Lianna Pront) lobbies his friends to create a new holiday in honor of the great Ludwig van Beethoven. Snoopy (Abby Metcalf) and Woodstock (Elyse Tavernier) do battle against the great Red Baron, and Sally Brown (Chloe O’Shea) is quick to interject her random views on life and new philosophies.

The musical will also feature well known Peanuts characters Peppermint Patty (Kayla Larrabee), Marcy (Allison Shorette), Freida (Isabelle Gustafson), Lydia (Katie Metcalf), Violet Grey (Natalie Todd), Pigpen (Nathan Lyndaker), Franklin (Nolan Swinwood), and Shermy (Aiden Rodriguez-Doyle).

The stage managers for the production are Caroline Hines and Peyton Taylor.

Lighting controllers will be Hailey Jordan and Brooke Larrabee.

The show is being directed by Lindsey Fifield and Kimberly Busch with Tim Savage conducting the pit orchestra, with Sue Dean and Lauren Dean designing the costumes, and Erin Lassial choreographing the dance numbers.