Now running at Old Academy Players, “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead” by Bert V. Royal is an “unauthorized continuance” of Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts.” Premiering at a fringe festival in 2004, Royal reimagines the legendary cartoon characters as high school students under new names. Some call the play a parody, others call it an homage. In truth, it is neither.

The main character is “C.B.” (Charlie Brown), who grieves to his pen pal, “C.S.” (Charles Schulz), that none of his friends attended the funeral of his rabid dog (Snoopy). In his pain, C.B now questions the existence of God. In “Dog,” you hear little more about God, but you do get to meet many morphed Peanuts characters.

Some do not surprise. “C.B.’s Sister” (Sally) is in a state of perpetual identity crisis. Taylor Rouillard plays her as a dazed teenager, not unlike young cartoon Sally, who is incessantly inquisitive and restless. Likewise, you can visualize Marcie and Peppermint Patty growing up to be “Marcy” and “Tricia.” Played by Isaura Sanguinetti and Cassidy Leyendecker, they are still the inseparable odd couple.

Other characters surprise you but are possibly contiguous with their childhood identities. Ross Weisman plays “Van” (Linus), now a Buddhist druggie who even smokes the ashes of his blanket. Annie Hnatko as “Van’s Sister” (Lucy) is still bossy but has to pitch her psychiatrist counter in a mental ward because she set the Little Red–Headed Girl’s hair on fire.

Nor are you that surprised to learn that “Beethoven” (Schroeder, played by William Reid) now meditates over his emerging homosexuality as he plays his piano. But two other characters are reimagined — repurposed is the better word — to advance Royal’s big interest: the struggles of gay teenagers.

“Matt” (Pig Pen, played by Micah Wagman) is no longer recognizable. In Peanuts, the character is proud of his companion cloud of dirt, amiable, self–assured and intelligent. Here, he is a homophobic bully, too fearful for self–examination. And Charlie Brown is no longer a born loser. Brian Balduzzi’s face continually beams, as C.B. confidently seeks out social conflict. He invites Beethoven to Marcy’s in–crowd party, then kisses Beethoven in public view to stir the pot.

Director Norman G. Burnosky, Jr.’s fine cast attacks these wacky characters with gusto. Burnosky also created the set design, in which the pastel colors of the rear wall suggest a dawning day. Jay Steinberg’s costumes delineate character and, just as importantly, help convince you that the young adult actors are teenagers. And the light and sound design of Steve Hnatko injects a needed element of foreboding.

There is little plot in “Dog Sees God” as the play recreates the format of a comic strip. Royal’s teenage characters have less sense of self than the charming children in Peanuts. At its best, the play makes you feel the liminal haze of high school life and, simultaneously, the odd solidarity of teenagers bonding through the tumult of shared normlessness.

But the angst, coming–of–age tableau is not the play’s only motif. In “Dog,” there is more than a whiff of macho gay advocacy. None of the girl characters matter very much. The vision of high school anomie feels secondary; Royal’s interest lies more in exploring male sexuality. And at some point, a part of you would like to hear Lucy say to Charlie Brown, or Pig Pen, or Schroeder, “The doctor is in.”

Old Academy is located at 3544 Indian Queen Lane. “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead” will run through Jan 25. Tickets are available at 215-843-1109.