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BROOKHAVEN — A pair of local Mississippi School of the Arts students are excited to step into the spotlight this weekend. MSA is presenting their theatrical performance “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” Friday Dec. 6 through Sunday Dec. 8. Shows will be at 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. 

The musical production features familiar characters from Charles Schultz’s comic strip “Peanuts.” Tickets for the show are just $10 and can be purchased online. Shows will be presented in Enochs Hall Black Box Theatre at MSA’s campus at 355 West Monticello Street. 

Summit native Emmy Ott was bubbling over with excitement for the production. She is a junior and in her first year at MSA. Her theater career began with the Brookhaven Little Theatre. 

“I’m excited for everyone to see this show. It is family friendly and enjoyable for all ages,” Ott said. “I’m excited for the new atmosphere. I’ve been in theater since I was 13. After I started I realized this is my calling. It is how I communicate and tell stories. This is my first show here.”

One thing she loves about theater is how it brings people together. 

Ott plays the role of Charlie Brown’s sister Sally Brown. It is a very fitting type cast because Ott said she normally plays a bratty little girl. She added she is not bratty herself but in theater it just feels comfortable to be bratty. 

At Brookhaven Little Theatre, she played the role of Little Red in the production “Into the Woods.” She has been in BLT’s Beauty and the Beast and other performances over the last few years. 

Ott said she looks forward to playing the part of Sally Brown. 

“She is a little girl who is very intimidating,” Ott said. “I just love playing bratty characters.”

There will be two students playing the role of Sally. Ott will perform Saturday, Dec. 7. 

Crystal Springs native Parker Burns will play the role of Charlie Brown. He is a senior at MSA and is in his second year with the theater program there. Burns said he started theater in fourth grade and the interest really took off in ninth grade. 

“My first production was at Brookhaven Little Theater. I found out about this school and realized I wanted to do that with my life and come here,” Burns said. “I would like to do a little bit of it all. I’m interested in dabbling in both music and theater. I enjoy acting, singing, teaching and conducting.”

Burns said his casting of Charlie Brown was fitting because most people have told him he is similar. Indeed, Burns has the same balance and mature demeanor of Charlie Brown. He added he is happy with his role and loves the show. 

“I love that the show subverts expectations. It puts you into the cartoonish aspect of it,” Burns said. “My favorite character is Snoopy. He says very few words but everyone likes him. He doesn’t have to talk to get you to like him.”

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