WAYNE – Tyler Baue has always loved the arts, especially when he plays a character he can relate to easily.
The 20-year-old Wausa native is a part of the cast of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” set to explore life with the “Peanuts” gang April 4-7 at Wayne State College.
Performances of the 2024 musical are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday this week inside the Ramsey Theatre, located at the college’s Peterson Fine Arts Building.
“It’s great,” Baue said of performing in the musical. “I have met so many amazing people throughout the entire process, along with getting closer to my friends. It’s been one of my highlights this entire school year.”
He described the “Peanuts” character he plays.
“I play the role of Schroeder, who is distinguished by his prodigious skill at playing the toy piano, as well as by his love of classical music in general and the composer Ludwig van Beethoven in particular,” Baue said. “Ironically enough, Schroeder is so similar to me – I study piano at Wayne State and love classical music.”
Rehearsals for the musical started back in February of this year, with them being held regularly from 6-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, though with breaks, of course.
“Towards the beginning, we strictly ran through all of the music and voice parts, so that way we could simply add the dialogue and acting in-between the songs for the rest of the year,” Baue said.
He noted rehearsals have been nothing short of fun and excitement in preparation for the public to see the performances. “Everyone who is involved is so dedicated to helping each other create a magical show, and they’ve been a great help for me,” Baue said. “Like all other characters in the musical, Schroeder does have his own ‘solo’ feature, and you will not want to miss seeing this. “It has tested my vocal ability and agility to a level I have never personally experienced before, but I am so excited to show everyone what I have worked on for so long,” he said. “Although I play Schroeder, we also do have understudies who perform alongside us and will get the chance to be the lead in some showings as well.”
He reiterated that to be surrounded by people who want to do well and also have fun is a “great environment.”
“I get to not only work with peers from the music department, but also students from the theatre department,” Baue said. “I have made so many friends throughout this entire experience, and I am very fortunate for it all.”
He originally did not plan to audition for the musical.
“Me and a friend of mine were told to audition by some professors, but felt our schedules were already too full even without the musical,” Baue said.
“Last minute, I received an email from my voice instructor who basically said how one of the roles, Schroeder, was ‘made for me’ and that I really should consider it,” he said.
“That afternoon, I told him I would and here I am today,” he said. “In the end, I am so glad I ended up doing it. I do have an incredibly tight, busy schedule, but it’s so worth it.”
He was not really a “Peanuts” fan before trying out for the musical.
“I hadn’t seen it or watched it when I was younger,” Baue said of the comic strip and cartoons. “I am familiar with Charlie Brown, and can remember only seeing the Christmas specials and all of that, but not really anything more. After this whole experience, I’ve grown to love my character and the story of them all.”
He described his favorite part about being in the musical as “simply how fun it has been,” as he has looked forward to having rehearsals and getting to see all of his friends while practicing.
“This experience has been great, and I am looking forward to the weekend we get to show everyone the work we’ve put in,” Baue said.
He noted this musical is the first one in years that has been offered and performed at Wayne State.
“This was something that was done years back, but they stopped for reasons I am unsure of,” Baue said. “This is exciting for us because it’s almost like a celebration in a way – we get to bring back musicals to Wayne, and do it in our newly renovated fine arts building.”
He recalled when he was attending Wausa High School, the closest he ever came to performing in a musical was in the Oral Interpretation of Drama speech event.
“My junior year speech season, we did ‘Addams Family: The Musical,’ and my senior year, we did ‘The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical,’” Baue said.
He noted he has always enjoyed the arts, ever since he was young.
“I want to be an actor for my entire life, and my love for theater – one act, speech, TV, etc. – has always been in my heart and everything I do,” Baue said. “I am grateful to have been in a community and programs that support the arts so much, and what the arts stand for – a voice for the next generation.
“I am also grateful to now be an assistant director for Wausa’s Play Production program, and help out with the Wausa speech team through judging and workshops,” he said.
The 2022 Wausa graduate participated in both one act and speech for all four years of high school.
“What I learned through one act and speech in high school is almost not enough to put into actual words,” Baue said. “It’s something that I will forever be thankful for. I cannot express how much those activities pushed me to become who I am today.
“Time management; being able to listen, not just hear; communication and networking skills; how to work as a team, and not only support your program and the people in it, but support the people who support you,” he said.
“This community does an outstanding job at putting in as much love into the arts as they do our sports and other clubs offered at school,” he said. “What Wausa has is something you don’t find in every small town – I am forever grateful for the people who made it so easy to fall in love with the arts, and let me do it for a career.”
The Wayne State sophomore is studying K-12 vocal and instrumental music education and wants to become a music teacher after graduating from college.
Presented by the Wayne State Theatre Program and Department of Music, the musical Baue is a part of is based on the beloved “Peanuts” comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, and its music and lyrics are by composer Clark Gesner.
The musical imparts humor, wisdom and heart for all ages. The story plays out through musical vignettes capturing Charlie Brown’s obsession with The Little Red-Haired Girl, Lucy’s infatuation with Schroeder and Schroeder’s equal fondness for his piano.
Linus clings to his blanket while Snoopy imagines fighting the Red Baron. The “Peanuts” gang plays baseball, flies kites, struggles with homework, ponders happiness and values sincere friendships.
The musical is scheduled to run for about an hour and a half, with a roughly 45-minute first act, 10-minute intermission and 35-minute second act.
Baue, whose parents are Jon and Dawn Baue, Wausa, is set to perform as Schroeder in the musical on April 5 for about 300 area elementary school students and at 7:30 p.m. April 6 and at 2 p.m. April 7 for public performances.
“They should expect to see great energy, amazing singing, silly jokes, and of course, be reminded of the ‘Peanuts’ gang,” the younger Baue said. “It’s a show made for all ages; it’s something special.”
Tickets are required to attend the musical. For tickets, people may visit www.wsc.edu/performing- arts and select “Purchase Event Tickets.” They also need to be sure to check when buying tickets that they have the correct date they would like to attend, as the tickets are specific to the performance date.
