By Charles M. Shulz 

Music by Vince Guaraldi

Based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson

Stage Adaptation by Eric Schaeffer

By Special Arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson

• Christmas Time is Here – Company
• Finding Christmas – Company
• O Little Town of Bethlehem – Company
• Away in a Manger – Company
• We Three Kings – Company
• Christmas Medley – Company
• Curtain Call / Sing-A-Long – Company & Audience (includes “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Silent Night”, and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”)

Act One

As the rest of the Peanuts gang enjoys the many activities of the season, Charlie Brown confides in Linus that, despite all the things he likes about the Christmas season, he is still depressed. After Linus’ dismissal and a put-down from Violet Gray, he visits Lucy’s psychiatric booth and tells her his problem. She suggests that he direct the group’s annual Christmas play to get him involved, and he accepts.

Charlie Brown becomes even more discouraged by his observations of Christmas’ commercialization as he heads for the rehearsal: Lucy laments over not receiving real estate for Christmas; Snoopy decorates his doghouse for a neighborhood lights and display contest; and Charlie Brown’s younger sister Sally asks him to write a greedy letter to Santa Claus. At the rehearsal, Charlie Brown finds a play fit for the 1960s with dancing, lively music, an uncooperative cast and a “Christmas Queen” (Lucy). Unable to control the cast, Charlie Brown decides the play needs a more “proper mood,” and recommends a Christmas tree. Lucy suggests a big, pink aluminum tree and then sends him and Linus to get one.

At the tree lot, Charlie Brown picks the only real tree there, a small sapling. Linus questions his choice, but Charlie Brown believes that once decorated, it will be perfect.

Act Two

As the rest of the kids work on the Christmas play, Schroeder shows Lucy the music he has selected for the Christmas play. Charlie Brown and Linus return to show the others the tree that Charlie Brown has selected. Lucy and the others scorn him and the tree and walk away laughing. Crestfallen, Charlie Brown loudly asks if anyone knows what Christmas is all about; Linus says he does, walks to center stage, asks for a spotlight, recites the annunciation of the shepherds.

Realizing that he does not have to let commercialism ruin his own Christmas, Charlie Brown takes the tree home to decorate it and show the others that it will work in the play. He stops at Snoopy’s doghouse, which had won the lights and display contest, and hangs a large red Christmas ball on his tree. The ornament’s weight causes the tiny tree to bend to the ground. Believing he has killed the tree, Charlie Brown, dejected, walks away.

The others realize that they were too hard on Charlie Brown and quietly follow him. As they all start to see its potential, the kids give the tree a makeover and even Lucy concedes to Charlie Brown’s choice. Charlie Brown returns to see that the sapling is now a magnificent Christmas tree. All the kids shout, “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!”, and then sing with Charlie Brown joining in as snow begins to fall.

Sally remembers that they have to rush to get ready for the pageant, and the gang returns to their preparations. Charlie Brown takes center stage to welcome the audience to the pageant, which does not go as planned. Forgotten lines, missed entrances, and children’s ad-libs make for a hilariously misfortunate production. In the end, the group manages to tell the story of the first Christmas, complete with Woodstock as baby Jesus.

The show ends with bows and a singalong of three Christmas favorites: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, “Silent Night”, and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.