This December, Salem’s theatre community will have extra reason to celebrate — Bridgetown Musical Theatre is bringing the holiday musical The World According to Snoopy!!! to the Verona Studio at the historic Reed Opera House. The Salem cast, composed of talented youth ages 11 to 18, will perform four shows December 11 through 14, and the production promises to be one of the season’s most heartwarming local events. Bridgetown’s decision to stage dual productions—one in Portland, one in Salem—reflects a strategy to expand its footprint while offering robust opportunities to young performers in both markets. But it’s the Salem installment that holds particular resonance for our local arts and business community. Salem audiences have long sought consistently high-quality musical theatre, and this show could help anchor Bridgetown’s reputation here for years to come.
A Show with Roots — and Revisions
Based on Charles M. Schulz’s beloved Peanuts characters, The World According to Snoopy captures life through the lens of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Peppermint Patty, and Woodstock. The version being presented is a revised adaptation first developed at Texas State University in 2017; it introduces new material such as the song “Husband Material” (music by Larry Grossman, lyrics by Andrew Lippa) alongside the enduring melodies and humor of the original.
Artistic Director Rick Lewis, who has a personal connection to earlier versions of Snoopy!!!, has expressed enthusiasm about entrusting this material to younger actors. “It’s a great musical and works beautifully in the hands of young performers,” he has said.
Salem Cast & Creative Team
The Salem run features a dedicated cast of seven young performers: Theo Ueng plays Snoopy; Harper Smith is Charlie Brown; Lavender Maceira takes on Lucy; Tyson Miller is Linus; Elsie Kravitz plays Sally; Clarabel Ardianto is Peppermint Patty; and Stella Allen portrays Woodstock.
At the helm is Beth Sobo Turk as director, with choreography by LeOnna Small and stage management by Tonya Nichols. Christopher Meade serves as music director, while Nate Pierce handles lighting design and Noah Benson the scenic design, roles shared with the Portland production.
Venue & Local Context
Salem’s Snoopy runs at the Verona Studio Theatre inside the Reed Opera House, located at 189 Liberty Street NE. The Verona Studio is a black-box theatre known for its intimate space and focus on contemporary works. The Reed Opera House itself is an anchor of Salem’s downtown arts and retail scene—originally built in 1870 and now restored as a mixed-use historic building housing shops, events, and theatre spaces.
While some recent sources suggest the Verona Studio may have limited activity, the listing of Snoopy there in December affirms its continued role as a performance venue this season.
This show marks an important chapter in Bridgetown’s expansion into Salem. The Conservatory launched a Salem arm in 2024, offering classes in acting, dance, and voice. With Snoopy, the organization signals that it intends not just to teach, but to stage high-caliber performances here as well.
Why Local Audiences Should Care
From a business and community perspective, The World According to Snoopy!!! offers several promising benefits:
- Downtown vitality: Holiday theatre traffic helps sustain nearby restaurants, cafés, and shops in the Reed and Liberty Street corridor.
- Youth development: Local students gain exposure to meaningful performance experience, increasing the pipeline of homegrown talent.
- Cultural branding: A high-quality, recurring theatrical attraction can raise Salem’s profile in the region’s arts economy.
- Partnership opportunities: Local sponsors, advertisers, and community organizations can become engaged in a visible, family-friendly seasonal event.
Tickets for the Salem run go on sale now via SimpleTix (the Snoopy listing currently shows $32.64 per ticket).
For Salem residents, this December’s Snoopy offers something more than holiday entertainment—it is a symbolic moment: Bridgetown asserting Salem as a full partner in its theatrical endeavors, and the city itself stepping forward to embrace a new holiday tradition. Don’t miss it.
