`CHARLIE BROWN' PROVES CHILDHOOD KNOWS NO AGE.

Byline: Victoria Giraud Daily News Staff Writer

Does the child in us ever die? Most assuredly not, as evidenced by the irrepressible production of ``You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown'' at the Arts Council Center. This vivacious, ``mature'' cast of six proves that a young heart can overcome age.

Minutes into this musical by Comedy Tonight Productions, you'll forget that several cast members are sporting white hair and character lines etched on no longer youthful faces. Thanks to a terrifically talented cast, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy, Linus, Schroeder and Patty come alive with all the expressions, gestures, body language and situations we've seen in the comics for years.

Bob Decker's finely etched portrayal of Charlie Brown (he's even wearing the shirt with the zig-zag pattern on the bottom) is full of angst and insecurity. Will the little red-haired girl notice him? Oops, she's looking; time for a bag on his head. It's hard not to like Charlie Brown - he tries so hard.

Crabby Lucy, played with such panache by Eleanor Brand, is winsome at times, so blunt at others. Brand, in a perky red dress, red ribbons and saddle shoes, struts around the stage, eyes as big as saucers, declaring she wants to be a queen. But even aggressive Lucy has her vulnerabilities.

Snoopy, in a hilarious and exhilarating performance by the gifted Don Pearlman, almost steals the show. But then he's got the best lines and all those great characters to portray: the Red Baron, a cowboy, Laurel and Hardy, a Broadway dancer with hat and cane, etc. It's easy to imagine that the long, lean Pearlman of the constantly changing hats is really a beagle.

Terry Fishman, an Englishman by birth, has an accent in this play reminiscent of the Dudley Moore comedies, which only adds to the fun. He's the perfect choice for the intellectual Linus, the wise analyzer who needs his ``blankey'' for comfort, and brings great style and grace to the role.

The budding pianist, Schroeder, is rendered with comic flair by ``Doc'' Reynolds, whose expressive face was made for comedy. He returns Lucy's pushiness with some perceptive comments of his own as he declares that she truly is a crabby person.

Marlene Reinhart, attired in white middy blouse with a red tie, plays the bright and breezy Patty with a sweet vulnerability.

The play is a series of comic sketches and songs moving along at an entertaining pace. Watch for ``The Book Report'' song, one of the most memorable. It's an excellent, humorous interpretation of the individual Peanuts characters.

THE FACTS WHAT: ``You're a good man, Charlie Brown.''

WHEN: Tonight, Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m.; Thursday at 8 p.m.; June 22 is sold out; June 23 at 4 p.m.; June 28-30 at 8 p.m.

WHERE: The Arts Council Center, 482 Greenmeadow Drive, Thousand Oaks.

COST: $10, $9 for seniors and students, $8 for children under 12.

INFORMATION: [phone].

CAPTION(S):

Photo

Photo: Cast members of ``You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown'' rehearse.

Jeremy Greene/Special to the Daily News