Capturing Snoopy's essence

Charlie Brown, the downtrodden hero of the "Peanuts" comic strip, leads a dog's life. But his dog, Snoopy, lives life to the fullest.

Here's a beagle who writes novels, produces his own satirical sock puppet shows and generally regards Charlie and the other kids with amused disdain.

There is no overt effort to make star Zack Reino look like a dog in Summer Repertory Theatre's current production of the musical "Snoopy!"

Like its predecessor, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," this play takes a minimalist approach, much like the original comic strip itself.

Clad in a simple white sweatshirt and jeans, Reino doesn't move like a dog, either. Instead, he captures the spontaneous canine goofiness of the character, with his wild leaps and manic grins.

Despite Snoopy's star billing, this is an ensemble show, with most of the "Peanuts" gang represented: Brian Watson as wistful Charlie Brown, Jimmy Robertson as the erudite and philosophical Linus, Nicole Odell as bossy Lucy, Sarah Michelle Cuc as the tomboy Peppermint Patty and Raquel Cockrell as Charlie's precocious little sister, Sally.

Under the direction of William McNeil (who also stars in SRT's "The Producers" this summer), every actor accurately embodies the idiosyncrasies of each iconic character, while maintaining a general air of childlike innocence.

Doubling as choreographer, McNeil doesn't fare quite so well, at least partly because of the cramped stage in the Santa Rosa Junior College's Newman Auditorium. The movements are kept simple, but with six performers milling about, the dance numbers feel claustrophobic.

Coached by musical director Lilli Wosk, who also serves as the show's keyboard accompanist, the cast does a good job with the ensemble numbers, particularly the zany "Edgar Allen Poe" and the moving finale, "Just One Person." A couple of the solos, however, suffer seriously from slurred diction and laconic delivery.

Sherry Rahn's scenery -- mainly Snoopy's trademark doghouse and Lucy's "Psychiatric Help, 5 Cents" booth -- and Julia Hunstein Kwitchoff's costumes -- especially Charlie's famous zig-zag shirt -- suit the show perfectly.

Shrewdly packaged as this season's family show, "Snoopy" can be seen in matinees at just $8 a ticket for all ages, and that makes the show a good bargain.

Ultimately, the production's greatest asset is its overall mood of good-hearted whimsy, which even preschoolers can appreciate. And earnest, sincere performances make this modest little effort well worth seeing.

You can reach Staff Writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@

pressdemocrat.com.