Theatre Department Hosts Reunion for 1972 Peanuts Gang
It’s a homecoming for East Central College’s original Peanuts gang. Charlie Brown, Linus, Peppermint Patty, Lucy, and Schroeder from the 1972 production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” will return to ECC to watch the new production of the musical.
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is a 1967 musical based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz. The ECC Theatre Department’s production of the revised version runs from Thursday, July 18, through Saturday, July 20, beginning at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, July 21, at 2 p.m.
Original cast members Jim Eaton (Charlie Brown), Jim Carey (Linus), Susan (Schultz) Peterson (Peppermint Patty), Lucy (Struckhoff) Tobben (Lucy), and Doug Johnson (Schroeder) will attend the Friday, July 19, performance. The late Mike Richardson played Snoopy in the 1972 musical.
The reunion is the idea of John Anglin, the director of both the original and upcoming productions. Anglin, the namesake of the John Edson Anglin Performing Arts Center, directed “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” in his first year as the ECC Theatre Department director.
“I thought it would be intriguing to see if any of the original cast members could come to the show, and I’m delighted that the five surviving cast members from the 1972 show will be at this production,” Anglin said. “I am excited to see the original cast, but even more excited for you, the audience, to see this 2024 cast bring these iconic characters to life,” he added.
The 2024 cast of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” includes Eli Bray as Charlie Brown, Bethany Herron as Lucy, Ellie Schmidt as Snoopy, Ian McCracken as Linus, Michael Finck as Schroeder, and Mackenzie Emmert as Sally.
Anglin retired from ECC in 2004 and returns every year to direct a summer production.
The Original Cast
Listed below is information about the cast of the 1972 production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”:
Susan (Schultz) Peterson, Jefferson City, MO
Class of 1972 — Associate of Arts Degree
What did you do after your time at ECC? I attended SMSU (now Missouri State University) for one year, then graduated with a degree in music education from Webster College in 1976. Although I taught in several schools for about 10 years, I spent the bulk of my career in social and workforce services, mostly writing public policy. I’m retired now, and I mostly read, walk, volunteer at an art gallery, spend whatever time I can with my granddaughter, and goof off with my twin sister. We travel some, and I love to work with my flowers and tiny garden.
Who was your favorite faculty or staff member at ECC? The biology teacher who I also worked with during the summers.
What are some of your best memories of your time at ECC? Organizing one of the first Earth Day celebrations. The time spent between classes playing cards in the cafeteria.
Fondest memory of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”? As a cast, we were a tight-knit group, as I recall—good friends as well as cast members. That was great.
Did you perform in other theatre productions? I was Martha in “1776” and a cast member of “Rodgers and Hart: A Musical Revue.”
How satisfied are you with your decision to attend ECC? Very satisfied! With two girls of the same age, my family could not afford to send us to a four-year school. So, ECJC (as it was known then) was a great option to get us started.
What advice would you give to someone starting out at ECC today? Get involved. Be more than just a student. Be a member of the ECC community— theater, music, student activities, and campus life in general. It will enhance your time there (and maybe give you the opportunity to revisit that community 50 years later!).
Jim Carey, Nixa, MO
Class of 1973 — Associate of Arts Degree
What did you do after your time at ECC? Earned a BA from Mount Marty University, Yankton, SD, in 1975. Taught at St. Francis Borgia Regional High School from 1975-1979. Directed “Oliver,” “Charlie Brown,” “The Odd Couple,” “110 in the Shade,” “Never Too Late,” and “Godspell.” Taught at LOGOS School, St. Louis, from 1979-1981. Directed “Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feelin’ So Sad.” Earned a master’s degree from Webster University in 1992. Worked at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from 1982-2011 in St. Louis, Minneapolis, and San Diego. Retired in 2011.
Who was your favorite faculty or staff member at ECC? John Anglin, Chip Boyer, and Lee Adams.
What are some of your best memories of your time at ECC? Student Senate, Cheer Team, “Oliver.” Moving to the new campus. Student newspaper and Literary Magazine. Friends.
Fondest memory of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”? The cast’s group dynamic, making a small, intimate show work in a large auditorium.
Did you perform in other theatre productions? “Oliver.”
How satisfied are you with your decision to attend ECC? ECC was the perfect choice for me at the time, just coming out of four years of military service. The student/instructor ratio was optimal, and the sense of commonality in the growth of a new college added extra excitement.
What advice would you give to someone starting out at ECC today? Take advantage of every possible opportunity.
Jim Eaton, Dawsonville, GA
Class of 1972 — Associate of Arts Degree
What did you do after your time at ECC? Graduated from Maryville University, St. Louis, in 1974 with a degree in Fine Arts. Then obtained a degree in Mortuary Science from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science, Indianapolis, IN. Worked in the family business (Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan) from 1975-2016. Purchased the business in 1984. Married Mary Ann (Cukrowicz) Eaton in June of 1976. Two daughters, Addie (and husband Matt Walters) and Erin (and husband Cole Wilkins), and two grandkids, Adelyn and Erin Wilkins.
Hobbies include boating, painting, reading, and Civil War Studies. Member of the Dawson County Rotary Club, advisor to The Bowen Center for the Arts in Dawsonville, and member of D-MORT (a federal disaster Mortuary Response Team).
Who was your favorite faculty or staff member at ECC? Larry Pogue.
What are some of your best memories of your time at ECC? The art shows and music concerts.
Fondest memory of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”? We were all like family. The interaction between all of us was amazing. We were all so close.
Did you perform in other theatre productions? No, but have attended many productions at the Holly Theater in Dahlonega, GA, of which Mary Ann and I are members.
How satisfied are you with your decision to attend ECC? ECC was an important step towards achieving a four-year degree. All the instructors were personable and provided a great learning experience. It’s a good introduction to the college world. You receive your basics here and then continue to your major. I found it a great steppingstone in furthering your education.
Lucy (Struckhoff) Tobben, Washington, MO
Class of 1973 — Associate of Arts Degree
What did you do after your time at ECC? I transferred to St. Mary College, Leavenworth, KS, and continued to study, graduating in May 1975 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Dave Tobben and I celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage in August 1975 and moved to Columbia, MO, where he was finishing law school. I worked part-time as a music director at The Newman Center and gave private piano lessons for that year. In August 1976, we moved back to Washington to stay.
I began volunteering my music services at St. Francis Borgia parish in 1977 and have served since then. In 1996, I became the accompanist/organist for the parish choir and presently serve as the music coordinator for the parish. I began teaching vocal music at St. Francis Borgia in 1982. I retired from classroom teaching in 2016.
There were a few years off as we raised our six children. We now have 11 grandchildren who live all around the country. My hobbies over the years included playing slow-pitch softball till age 50, golf, watching grandkids’ sports, quilting, travel, and attending high school and college musicals.
Who was your favorite faculty or staff member at ECC? Carl Walker.
What are some of your best memories of your time at ECC? Attending a “new” college was exciting as we were making history every day. Homecoming, starting Drama Club, moving into the Administration building after Freshman year were just some events that stick out in my mind. I worked as the SOAR (Summer Orientation and Registration) coordinator after Freshman year. Getting to meet almost all of the incoming freshmen that summer was a fantastic experience. It was part of my work-study job.
Fondest memory of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”? I was just so excited to be chosen to be in the production. Never mind that we didn’t really have dressing rooms (they also served as faculty office space for Coach Dyson, Terry Zanin, and Tom Neal) or lighting, or mics, etc. Truly innovative theatre.
Did you perform in other theatre productions? I was one of the orphan boys/Fagin’s boys in “Oliver” during my sophomore year. Around 1985, I was a “Pick-a-little-talk-a-little lady” in “The Music Man” production in the ECC Theatre.
How satisfied are you with your decision to attend ECC? Attending ECJC was one of the best decisions I have made. In the ’70s, there was always a concern that credits would not transfer to four-year colleges, but St. Mary accepted all my hours. With scholarships and work-study money, my biggest expense was transportation.
What advice would you give to someone starting out at ECC today? Take advantage of the opportunity to take classes outside of your major, especially those in the practical arts. Expand your horizons. We need citizens now who are well-rounded individuals, able to reason logically and engage in conversation without hiding behind technology. Don’t be afraid to take classes in classical philosophy.
Doug Johnson, Lake of the Ozarks
Associate of Arts Degree
What did you do after your time at ECC? I went to the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and after college, I owned my own heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) business for 7 to 8 years. Then I worked for Jacuzzi and Magnetek hired me away, and that’s how I got in the motor industry — I was in that industry for 30 plus years.
Who was your favorite faculty or staff member at ECC? Carl Walker, music director, and Ed Conway, Business Instructor.
Fondest memory of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”? First off, John Anglin was an amazing director. He really related to us. The cast itself was amazing, and we all got along so well.
How satisfied are you with your decision to attend ECC? I am very satisfied with my decision to attend ECC. There are lifelong friends I acquired there. A lot of friends from high school participated in sports and music at ECC. It was a very friendly atmosphere.
What advice would you give to someone starting out at ECC today? ECC is a great place to get you prepared for a four-year school. But don’t overlook tech programs. Tech job opportunities (like welding, machining, industrial engineering, etc.) are immense, and the salaries are very attractive.
