The Peanuts gang get at the heart of the holidays when one of the most-beloved Christmas stories comes to life on the Northwestern Lehigh High School stage just as the season begins.

The endearing story, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” is based on the iconic comic strip written by the late Charles Schulz. An animated television special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” premiered in 1965.

Schulz used the story to strip away the commercial aspects of the holiday in favor of uncovering its true meaning through scenes of childhood, accompanied by traditional Christmas music and jazz numbers performed by Vince Guaraldi.

“We sometimes forget the true meaning of Christmas,” said the play’s director Bill Mutimer. “It’s not the fancy toys, gadgets and decorations or how many Christmas cards you get or send.

“It’s about being with family and friends, hope, and celebrating the birth of Christ and each other.”

Cast members found it easy to relate to the characters of this play.

Junior Matt Lucarelli said he was kind of shocked at getting the title role of the hapless Charlie Brown.

“Even though [the news] was surprising, Charlie Brown’s character actually fits me,” he said. “I’m more of an introvert and I feel that’s how Charlie Brown is, too.”

Memorable is his search for the perfect Christmas tree.

“In the story, Charlie Brown thinks he finds a great tree, [which is really] a sadder version of himself,” Lucarelli said. “But, you could decorate it and make it a pretty tree.

“At the end of the story, he’s happy and the tree is also happy.”

Lucy, Charlie Brown’s antagonist, is played by Savannah Madeira.

“Lucy thinks she’s a lot more mature and better than the other kids, and she’s a little sassy but I could be a little sassy, too,” Madeira said. “I think it’s very unfortunate the way everybody treats Charlie Brown.

“After he starts directing the play, I think they realize he’s trying to do something right, so at the end of the play, even though they’re mad about the tree he picked, they realize the tree is not so bad and by extension Charlie Brown is not so bad, either.”

As Linus, Steven Sukley stops the action of the play when he delivers the traditional meaning of Christmas and you can hear a pin drop.

“He’s kind of just the quiet kid that has all this information he knows,” Sukley said. “But, he’s also very witty and at the same time, he’s very intellectual.

“Linus kind of fears being bullied so he doesn’t really defend Charlie Brown a whole lot.”

Linus and his blanket are inseparable.

“His blanket probably represents his childhood because he kind of grew up with it,” Sukley explained. “He actually is a pretty relatable character, though a lot of people think he’s misunderstood.”

Porter Lilley said his character, Pig-pen, is nothing short of a mess.

“I am a mess in some ways, too, but not like him,” Lilley said. “He’s fun and a great friend to Charlie and he seems to say, ‘This is who I am,’ and he’s incredibly comfortable with that. It’s hilarious.”

Harrison Bernhard, who plays Schroeder, agreed.

“It’s a funny show,” Bernhard said. “Charlie Brown and all the other characters are just so familiar.”

The cast also includes Molly McGorry as Sally, Elijah Kinzel as Snoopy, Gwen McArdle as Peppermint Patty, Emma Burton as Marcie, Bailey DeJesus as Frieda, Elizabeth Leiser as Violet Gray, and Sebastian Canseco as Franklin, just to name a few.

The show has its serious moments, too. It’s notable for Caitlyn Miller that her character Royanne Hobbs, is a baseball player.

“Now girls don’t play baseball. They play softball,” she said. “But Royanne is widely accepted as a baseball player and everyone accepts it even though she’s a girl.”

Bernhard said the play has a good message.

“It’s kind of like a classic Christmas story,” Bernhard said.

“Parents could come and revisit a story that they know pretty well.”

Miller added that it’s a great play, especially for little children.

“It addresses many of society’s problems and life’s problems in a way for kids to understand and still have fun with it,” Miller explained.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” opens tonight, Dec. 5, at the high school, with additional shows 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and Dec. 7.

Tickets are available at the door.