NILES — The “Peanuts” gang comes to life at Trumbull New Theatre with the musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Generations of kids and adults have loved the characters created by Charles M. Shultz, originally as a comic strip that debuted in 1950, but branching out starting in the ‘6’0s into multiple television specials, films and this stage production, which runs through July 16.

The musical, which debuted Off-Broadway in 1967, might strike audiences differently 56 years later.

Its whimsical sense of humor may seem quaint by 21st century standards. At the same time, the bullying and casual cruelty directed at Charlie Brown that goes unchecked is shocking today.

Most of the show’s dialogue comes directly from the comic strips, but Clark Gessner, who wrote the songs, and Andrew Lippa (who penned additional songs for the 1999 revival) add to the pile on. The show may be called “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” but they give the best songs to the rest of the cast, in a sense yanking the musical football away from him.

It certainly isn’t the fault of Harmon Andrews, who brings tinges of wistfulness and pathos to Charlie Brown and displays strong vocal ability on “The Kite” and “T-E-A-M (the Baseball Game).”

The musical highlight opening night was “My New Philosophy,” sung by Lena Sophia Dill as Sally. She brings a huge voice in a small package, and Dill skillfully delivers some of Sally’s barbed dialogue behind a giant smile, disguising just how piercing her words are.

At times she seems to be channeling Kristin Chenoweth, who won a Tony for her portrayal of the character in the revival, but she does it so well that it’s an impressive feat.

Landon Eli also makes the most of Snoopy’s two big numbers, “Snoopy” in act one and “The Red Baron” in act two. It’s an energetic, lively performance that generated several laughs. Hayes Yocum has similar energy as Schroeder on “Beethoven Day.”

Nathan Chapline brings a gentleness and sweetness to his portrayal of Linus; Kat Roman, in contrast, leans into Lucy’s “crabbiness” and does a good job with her second act showcase “Little Known Facts.”

Directors Melanie Lucas and Patience Miles expand the cast with a small ensemble and baby birds who shadow Woodstock (Trudi Herrholtz), and the action plays out on a colorful set they designed with Ron Aulet that draws inspiration from the comic strips.

Credit musical director Emma Wason for the quality of the group numbers and how well the cast works with the pre-recorded backing tracks.

If you go …

WHAT: “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday through July 16

WHERE: Trumbull New Theatre, 5883 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles

HOW MUCH: $20 adults and $18 students with tickets available online at www.trumbullnewtheatre.com and by calling the TNT box office at 330-652-1103 between 7 and 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.