The Hawk

Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Entertainment

Aaron Deede and Hanna Brannau in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."

On Sunday, Sept. 16, Acting Without Boundaries (AWB), a group designed for actors with physical disabilities, performed "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" in the Bluett Theatre. The show began with a selection from "Peter Pan" performed by AWB Jr., followed by the performance by the AWB company.

The performance of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" was highly successful. The adorable performance by AWB Jr. was met with a warm ovation from the audience. Afterwards, the AWB Jr. company joined the audience to watch their older counterparts. The performance exceeded the audience's expectations, with the actors giving fantastic performances. The set was colorful and highly effective at calling the comic strip to mind.

The entire cast did an outstanding job. Aaron Deede played a loveable Charlie Brown. Lauren Gretz played Lucy with charm, and Steven Sebastianelli made her brother, Linus, extremely likable. Hannah Brannau brought everyone's favorite, Snoopy, to life. The entire cast delivered an outstanding performance. The actors knew just how to bring a personal touch to their characters.

The performance could have been enjoyable for anyone. It was not simply children's theatre. The audience consisted of people of all ages.

Acting Without Boundaries is a unique program that allows actors with disabilities to attend monthly workshops and to perform around the Philadelphia area. Christine Rouse, an alumna of Saint Joseph's, founded the program in 2004. Recently, the program expanded to include AWB Jr., a program for children with disabilities ages 4 to 11.

Artistic Director Neill Hartley, Musical Director Maria Ceferatti, and Assistant Director Michael DeVitis aid Rouse in production development.

The Acting Without Boundaries company includes actors from the ages of 11 to 30. The monthly programs allow these actors to improve their singing, acting, and improvisational skills. The program seeks to give the actors an opportunity to grow in skill and confidence. The actors perform for a variety of audiences, including the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The Acting Without Boundaries is a non-profit organization that operates with the help of volunteers. The program relies on donations and grants in order to operate without cost to the actors involved in the program. AWB is interested in volunteers for administration as well as teaching at the workshops. Purchasing merchandise and making donations are among the ways to make contributions.

Acting Without Boundaries will perform at the upcoming Festival of Disability Arts & Culture in Philadelphia.

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