"Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenaged Blockhead" is an odd and somewhat disturbing play currently on offer from Stray Dog Theatre. Based on and definitely not authorized with rights from the "Peanuts" cartoon strip and related material, it follows the characters as adolescents.
None of these characters are using what we can't help but think of as their "real" names – Lucy, Schroeder and ol' Charlie Brown (not the same one being sung of on another local stage right now) aren't names we hear, but the first part of the play finds the audience trying to figure out which kid grew into which lanky galoot. Sometimes there are hints, like the color of CB's shirt, but other times, it's an effort. One is forced to wonder about potential audience members who are only familiar with the characters as subjects for tote bags and motivational posters, rather than newspaper comic strips – although perhaps the television specials have lingered in their brains. Still, there are small, semi-insider jokes that cause laughter.
But overall, things aren't good. Like Morley, Snoopy is dead, to begin with. Lucy (described only as "Van's Sister"), gone away, is no longer holding the football for CB. Linus – excuse me, Van – is a stoner. Marcie and Peppermint Patty – I give up, you'll be able to figure this out – are shallow and air-headed and mean. The list goes on.
And amazingly, at least for people who have "known" the Peanuts gang most of our lives, we care about these kids, and mourn their falling apart. Michael Baird is CB, only slightly less unsure of himself than he was when last we knew him, and Ryan Wiechmann is Van, whose identity we're not quite sure of until he reveals himself as germphobic and someone reminds him of how he was always grimy as a kid. Good work with both of those, but particular applause to Chris Tipp, Beethoven, the piano player, who's mastered the art of the small gesture.
Don't go expecting a comedy. Director Justin Been understands it's far from that.
Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenaged Blockhead
through June 20
Stray Dog Theatre
Tower Grove Abbey
2336 Tennessee Ave.