BWW Reviews: ItÂ's a Good Show, CHARLIE BROWN, at Broad Brook Opera House

Garth West renders a lovable version of that Beethoven-obsessed Schroeder and brings down the house with his gospel-tinged “Beethoven Day.”  The star-turn in the cast belongs to Alyse Katherine Pilch.  In the 1967 original, the character of Sally, Charlie Brown’s overconfident sister, was actually Patty.  In 1999, a switch was made, presumably for the better as Sally is a wonderful comic creation.  The part was originated by Kristen Chenoweth in a star-making performance and Pilch follows in her squeaky, comic footsteps.   One would have to be a blockhead to miss it.

Photo of Alyse Katherine Pilch and Andrew Smalls by TIna Clark of Viviana’s Photography.

Jacques Lamarre has worked in theatre for over 20 years. As a Public Relations/Marketing professional, he held positions at Hartford Stage, TheaterWorks Hartford and Yale Repertory Theatre/Yale School of Drama. As a playwright, he wrote "Gray Matters" which was premiered by Emerson Theater Collaborative at the Midtown International Theatre Festival (nominee, Outstanding Playwriting). His short play "Stool" was a finalist for the inaugural New Works New Britain Festival and a Top Ten finalist for the NY 15 Minute Play Festival. His short play "The Family Plan" was a finalist for the 2011 Fusion Theatre "The Seven" short play competition. Jacques has co-written seven shows for international drag chanteuse Varla Jean Merman, as well as the screenplay for her feature-length film comedy "Varla Jean and the Mushroomheads" (2011). He has written for Theater CT Magazine, Hartford Magazine and Yale Alumni Magazine. Jacques is currently the Director of Communications & Special Projects for The Mark Twain House & Museum.

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