Finding Comfort in the Good Things We Share

For many around the country, December 14^th brings thoughts of tragedy and loss. For Nashville Children’s Theatre (NCT), December 14^th brings bittersweet memories.

Four days a week, sometimes twice a day, a caravan of school buses brings thousands of children through our doors to view our productions. Prior to their arrival, their teachers spend time on the phone and email with our Registrar, who helps to plan their trip.

For 32 years, that Registrar was a woman named Lorna Turner. Lorna was committed to working with teachers all over Middle Tennessee and beyond to ensure the children’s field trips were a success.  This started by talking to the teachers to share each program’s curriculum guide and prepare for the show. It continued with leading some teachers through our financial assistance program to get them the right ticket price to make the trip happen. And when the day came, Lorna was often the person who greeted the children and their teachers at the door.

Last year, Lorna retired from her position at NCT. It provided an opportunity for us to celebrate her years of work here, and the millions of lives she affected over the years. Even Mayor Karl Dean got involved, issuing a proclamation recognizing December 14^th as Lorna Turner Day.

Lorna’s position at NCT has since been filled by a team of equally committed individuals who continue her work.  Through this team, Lorna’s legacy of service to the children of Middle Tennessee goes on.

Like Lorna Turner, there are countless others across the country who work so hard to give our children the opportunities they need to flourish and grow as they learn. This weekend, while we recognize the anniversary of this tragedy, let’s also find some comfort in the good things and good people our children will encounter in the coming year. 

Go, Dog. Go! is the most fun-packed, side-splittingly funny

hour of entertainment in all of Nashville!

Get Tickets or Schedule information.

Josh Bernaski in NCT's Go, Dog. Go!

The first time NCT did this show I played MC Dog in all but four performances, where Patrick Waller heroically stepped in for me while I attended the birth of my first son. I could not be more pleased and giddily excited to now be directing this tremendously funny show just at the time that my son is old enough to get all of the jokes.

Rarely have I had as much fun as I've had in working on this show. The staff and crew at NCT are always tremendous and this cast is absolutely phenomenal! To top it off, the playwrights have succeeded in creating the most clever and imaginative adaptation of a book for the theatre I have ever seen.

P.D. Eastman’s original book is a favorite in my house. The humor in the book comes from seeing the action and interaction of some highly mobile dogs doing very human things, all the while inviting the reader to notice the deeper significance of small thing.

The playwrights have honored the elements of the book to the point that they chose to stick to the few words that appear in the book. The result is an astounding homage to circus, to delight, and to surprise right through the very end.

Peter Vann, director

The magic of this play is that it successfully makes an audience, (I'm seriously talking ages 4-104), literally bust a gut laughing within the first 45 seconds of the show, and then has the relentless ability to sustain that feeling of breathless awe and uncontrollable laughter until the very last second of the show. It is truly astounding.

This is the perfect play for introducing the young people in your life to the fun of the theatre, and for the young person in the rest of us to come out and play.

Patrick vs Schroeder

Patrick Waller compares himself to Schroeder

What attributes or traits do you share with your character?

Schroeder and I both are huge Beethoven fans. Schroeder is an exceptional piano player, but me not so much.

What is the most exciting part about bringing this character to life on stage?

I think for the simple fact that Schroeder, and all these characters for that matter, are so universally known and loved. I have been reading and watching these guys since I was a kid. The image of Schroeder at his piano and Lucy perched atop is one that is forever etched in my memory and to now be in that image is an amazing thing.

What work have you done/will you do to prepare to play this character?

I've got a lot of work to do at the piano!

Schroeder has dedicated his life to piano performance, you have dedicated yours to theatre. What made you choose that path?

I got into theatre on a whim. They were having auditions for Annie at the local community theatre in my hometown and driving by one day I thought, “Hey, that sounds fun!” I went in, auditioned, and was cast as Rooster Hannigan and there was no stopping after that. When it got to the point I was doing so much community theatre that it was like a second job, I decided to try and turn it into a profession. Now, thankfully, I've been working as a professional actor for the last nine years and I can't imagine doing anything else. 

Visit NCT's website for fun Behind the Curtain videos about You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown as well as a schedule of performances.

Jeff vs Snoopy

Jeff Boyet answers questions about how he compares to Snoopy

What attributes or traits do you share with your character? 

Snoopy and I share a love for adventure, food, and we both have extraordinary imaginations. 

What is the most exciting part about bringing this character to life on stage? 

Snoopy is a dream character, probably the most famous dog in the world. Being allowed to interpret his personality and inner thoughts is very exciting. 

What work have you done/will you do to prepare to play this character? 

I'll watch some of the Charlie Brown television shows and read some of the comics. I'm really going to try and perfect his joyful, nose-in-the-air dance. 

Snoopy has lots of alter egos from a World War I Flying Ace to a secret agent. Do you have an alter ego?

As an actor, I joyfully get to create an alter ego with every show that I do. As a father, I also get to create a lot of alter egos. My favorites are the ones that bring laughter to my girls.

Visit NCT's website for fun Behind the Curtain videos about You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown as well as a schedule of performances.

Bobby vs Linus

Bobby Wyckoff compares himself to Linus

What attributes or traits do you share with your character? What attributes or traits of your character do you not share? 

Linus is a loyal, encouraging, helpful friend to Charlie Brown (and, I think, loves his sister, Lucy). I try my hardest to be that kind of friend and relative. Linus looks past other people’s flaws: Charlie Brown’s ineptitude, Lucy’s aggressiveness. We ALL struggle with that. And we still love people because of who they are and, sometimes, despite how they behave.

Do you have a special connection with your character?

I have a special connection with ALL these characters. The Charlie Brown television holiday specials were always a favorite growing up! (And back then you could only watch them when they aired, around the time of the appropriate holiday: Christmas, Halloween, etc.)

What is the most exciting part about bringing this character to life on stage? 

As always, the most exciting part about doing a character at NCT is two-fold: working with the incredible creative staff/actors and then experiencing the audience reaction. It’s truly my favorite place to work.

What work have you done/will you do to prepare to play this character? 

Going into rehearsals, I’m only slightly familiar with the script and musical score, but I’m afraid I might have to dance. If so, that will take A LOT of work. I look silly when I try to dance!

Linus has his blanket that he is very attached to. Do you have an object that you are quite attached to or has special meaning for you? 

I have many objects I enjoy. I even have several collections: bottles of sand from far-away beaches I’ve walked on, salt and pepper shakers I inherited from my grandmother, and many, many more. I treasure them, but I could let them go. I nearly lost them all in the flood a few years back. I think your real “security blanket” are those people (and pets) you hold close. 

You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown will run at NCT until Sunday, Dec 23. Check out the schedule and view some fun Behind the Curtain videos about the production.

Martha vs Sally

Martha Wilkinson answers questions about herself and Sally

What attributes or traits do you share with your character?

We both ask "Why?" a lot... and we are both VERY straight forward--sometimes to a fault. Though I don't consider myself a "philosopher", I do like to search for reasons for certain things and don't always go on trust and faith. And we both get panicky about little things sometimes!

What attributes or traits of your character do you not share?

I don't share Sally's apathy or ease for problem solving...I'm kind a chronic "fixer". Also, Sally never thinks it’s her fault and I always think its mine.

Do you have a special connection with your character?

Yes. I like her frankness and admire how she can often see the bright side of things. I LOVE her romanticism about Linus.

What is the most exciting part about bringing this character to life on stage?

Getting to be a KID! I love the freedom that comes with that! And I'm excited to sing her song "My New Philosophy"!

What work have you done to prepare to play this character?

Watch little kids play together and talk, and though I will not try to copy the Peanuts characters per se, I will try to emulate aspects of her that are familiar to Schulz's comic character that we all know and love. I'll probably watch The Great Pumpkin as I do every year.

Sally has a new philosophy every other minute. What is your most recent philosophy?

Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer helps you grow, serves you, or makes you happy.


Come join the Peanuts fun at NCT!

View the performance schedule and some Behind the Curtain videos.

Shawn vs Charlie Brown

Shawn Knight answers questions about himself and Charlie Brown

What attributes or traits do you share with your character?

Charlie Brown is often very unsure of himself, and sometimes the harder he tries, the more foolish he looks. That's me all over!

Do you have a special connection with your character?

I have played Charlie Brown before and discovered how much Charlie Brown means to people. He's a sweet guy who only wants to make others happy and like him. I think everyone can relate to that.

What is the most exciting part about bringing this character to life on stage?

No matter how many times I read the PEANUTS comic strip, I always get a little jewel of wisdom from them about how to live life fully. The greatest thing about this show is that it is not limited to a mere few frames, like a comic strip is. It has so much to say about finding happiness in all the little things of life!

What work have you done/will you do to prepare to play this character?

I certainly intend to watch lots of Charlie Brown cartoon specials and relive those special moments from my childhood.

Charlie Brown always wants to fly a kite, but can never seem to keep it in the air. Is there something you've always wanted to do, but have never been able to?

I'm not a very athletic guy, but I am competitive and love playing games with others. I wish I had skills that would allow me to be a successful athlete in some way.

Make plans to join us for this show! Schedule of weekend shows, and Behind the Curtains can be found online our website.