"Peanuts" character Charlie Brown once said, "Happiness is anyone and anything that's loved by you".
Well, love was in the air at the Historic Olney Theater last month when Ellicott City's K.I.D.S. Summer Conservatory presented the show, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
With a cast of 44 talented kids, the show rocked the roof of the Olney Theater during it's two-night engagement.
More than half of the cast members were students from Centennial Lane Elementary School, including Hailey Ambrose, Lauren Aylaian, Piper Berry, Sophie Bombick, Hannah Boodin, Allison Brown, Dominic Cangialosi, Velina Chapoval, Casey, Cicely Clark, Erin Clark, Seth Crumley, Emily Dewhurst, Jackson Dewhurst, Julia Grassl, Carolin Harvey, Evelina Howser-Doty, Julie Howser-Doty, Valerie Hsieh, Katie Keating, Katelin Phelps, Carolyn Reynolds Julia Reynolds, Lauren Scott, Colton Smith, Matthew Sorak, Hannah Souba, Julia Stitely and Sarah Thorman.
"I had a blast. Life is good on top of a doghouse," said Piper Berry who played Snoopy, Charlie Brown's lovable beagle.
Berry is a raising star in the local theater community. I saw her performance this spring as Marta in Centennial High School's production of "The Sound of Music." She was a stand out! You might remember her from her earlier roles as Mowgli in "The Jungle Book," Sargent Tibbs in "101 Dalmations" or the judge in "Dinostars." Keep an eye on this gutsy and formidable actress, she is someone to watch.
Congratulations to the entire cast and director Stevie Brouillet, K.I.D.S. Summer Conservatory founder!
If you missed the "Charlie Brown" show, you are in luck. Tonight, Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m., K.I.D.S. Summer Conservatory will present another musical at the Olney Theater — "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." One additional performance will be Friday, Aug. 5 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students/seniors and free for kids 5 and younger. For more information about tonight's show, email Brouillet at sbrouillet@hcpss.org.
Reminder for Veterans Elementary School incoming kindergarteners and families: the last summer play dates are Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m and Aug. 26 following Kindergarten orientation. Both play dates will be held on the school playground. Siblings are welcome.
The Howard County Center for the Arts still has openings in several summer camps for the weeks Aug. 8-12 and 15-19. The camp sessions cater to students as young as kindergarten through seventh grade. ""Learn to Paint!", "Stuck on Shakespeare", "Lights of Broadway" and "Silly Sculpture" are just a few of the camps offered. For a complete camp listing, go to the website http://www.hocoarts.org then click the hyperlink "Register for Summer Camps 2011" in the scrolling menu bar.
Are you interested in having input on school policy in Howard County? Then, you should consider joining the the Community Advisory Council to the Board of Education. This group serves as a vehicle for concerns, advice and information from the public and reports directly to the school board. CAC members have an unique opportunity to have input into school curriculum, redistricting and budget policy issues.
CAC is seeking at-large members (a two-year term) for the 2011-12 school year. Meetings generally are held at 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month. For more information, email CAC Chairman Ted Mallo at tjmallo@verizon.net.