Show Synopsis:
Charlie Brown explores various trials of childhood with his sister Sally, his dog Snoopy, and his friends Linus, Lucy, and Schroeder.
Character:
Sally Brown, a precocious and stubborn child who is eagerly exploring the world around her.
Song Context:
Sally is angry about a bad grade she received in class and tells Schroeder, who teaches her about the basics of having a life philosophy. Sally tries to understand how she can take on a philosophy to understand life events, such as this bad grade.
Fun Facts:
1. This song and the role of Sally Brown were not included in the original version of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, and were added in the 1999 revival by Andrew Lippa for Stanley Wayne Mathis.
2. Kristin Chenoweth originated the role of Sally on Broadway and won a Tony Award for her performance.
3. "Man does not live by bread alone" is a quote from Matthew 4:4, when a man asks Jesus to prove he is the son of God by changing stone into bread. Jesus proclaims that God's word and deeds can do much more than merely food and basic sustenance can.
"SALLY
""Why are you telling me?""
My new philosophy.
The teacher gave a ""D"" on last week's homework
She said, ""Miss Sally Brown,
Your grades are going down.""
I could have told her-
SCHROEDER
Your new philosophy?
SALLY
My new philosophy!
""Miss B?""
""I'm she!""""
""Look see.""
""A 'D?'""
""A 'D.'""
""Well, why are telling me?""
And that's my new philosophy!
SCHROEDER
That's your new philosophy?
SALLY
Why are you telling me?
My new philosophy!
SCHROEDER
That's great, Sally, but I've gotta go practice Chopin's Nocturne in B-Flat minor.
SALLY
No! I like it! ""No!"" That's a good philosophy. ""No!"" ""No!"" ""No!""
SCHROEDER
That's your new philosophy, huh?
SALLY
Yes. I mean-- ""No!""
Just like a busy bee,
Each new philosophy
Can fly from tree to tree and keep me moving.
When life's a dizzy maze,
On alternating days
I choose a different phrase-
SCHROEDER
Your new philosophy?
SALLY
My new philosophy!
SCHROEDER
Sally!
Some philosophies are simple:
""Man does not eat by bread alone.""
Some philosophies are clear.
SALLY
""Leave your message at the sound of the tone.""
BOTH
Some philosophies pick and choose
Deciding what goes in it.
SCHROEDER
Some take a lifetime,
SALLY
Mine take a minute.
SCHROEDER (spoken)
But, Sally, anything that takes only a minute can't be
very lasting. For instance, Beethoven took over two years
to complete his brilliant Ninth SYmphony.
SALLY
""No!""
SCHROEDER
I can't stand it!
SALLY
""I can't stand it!"" I like it!
It's like a guarantee.
My new philosophy.
And things are sure to be a whole lot brighter
""Oh, yeah? That's what you think!""
""Why are you telling me?""
""No!""
""I can't stand it!""
Now life is free and easy,
Much more philosophy-zy.
And that's my new philosophy!"