Snoopy is dead and CB (Charlie Brown) and the gang are traveling somewhere you've never seen them before — high school.
Join the Peanuts as they embark on a journey filled with drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, violence, rebellion, religious identity, sexual identity and suicide in "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead" at Muncie Civic Theatre.
"It's hysterical and sad," Tyler Sarkis, a sophomore musical theater major who plays Bethoven (Schroeder), said.
The play will run in the Studio Theatre on Friday, Saturday, Feb. 24-26 and March 2-3. All performances begin at 8 p.m., except the matinee at 2 p.m. on Feb. 26.
Ball State senior directing major Max Gosman will direct the play for his Capstone project.
"Directing this show will be beneficial to my career," Gosman said. "It's been a great experience collaborating with Muncie Civic. Working with a theatre this size has given me the chance to design my own set, lighting, sound, costumes and props, and have the resources to actually use them."
The cast is also made up of Ball State students.
"I've never been in a show like this before, it's definitely a new experience," said Dallyn Brunck, a sophomore musical theater major who plays Marcy (Marcie). "It's funny, disturbing and emotional."
Audiences should expect to see major changes in their favorite Peanuts character.
"My character went from being a child who was surrounded by dirt to being a germaphobe in high school," said Derek Grabner, a senior theater major who plays Matt (Pig-Pen). "In the play, we watch him deal with suppressed self-esteem and anxiety issues."
During the show, the gang navigates through stereotypical high school situations.
Extreme stereotypes are present in the play, but they are still relatable and realistic, said Lori Nierzwick, a junior theater major who plays CB's sister (Sally).
"It is an interesting show because it examines how we deal with emotionally heightened situations, cope with loss and discover our identity — in many ways, it's true of life," Gosman said.
"Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead" was written by Bert V. Royal, who also wrote the film "Easy A," starring Emma Stone. Despite Royal's recent Hollywood success, he has been willing to communicate with Gosman about the production since the planning stage.
"This kind of accessibility to a playwright is rare," Gosman said. "He has been very helpful by filling me in on what he was dealing with when he wrote it and what he looks for in a successful production."
Like "Easy A," the play is a commentary on life as well as a source of entertainment. The show is a dark comedy intended for teen and young adult audiences.
"Ball State students will be interested in this show because of its content — it features topics that are very heavy and hugely taboo, such as sexual identity and the search for identity in general," Sarkis said.
Sarkis added that CB's sister changes identities every time she is on stage.
"Audiences should expect to see and hear some dirty things. It's not just the happy Peanuts' gang," Brunck said. "In fact, this show runs much deeper than just the Peanuts."
The issues in this show happen in real high schools, Gosman said. He hopes that the impact of this play will last much longer than the hour and a half. He and the cast will sponsor a donation drive for The Trevor Project, a nationwide organization with the mission to prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth.
"It's a great organization that can make a powerful difference and we're excited for this chance to make a donation on behalf of Muncie Civic," Gosman said.
Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased online at the Muncie Civic website, on the phone at 765-288-PLAY, at the box office between noon and 6 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday or one hour before each performance.
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