Latest news with #SummerMusical
New York Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
It's a New TV Musical, Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown isn't known for his successes. One of Charles M. Schulz's most memorable creations, Charlie is the ultimate clueless kid, never able to kick a football, ace a test or approach his crush, the Little Red-Haired Girl. But in 'Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical,' a new 'Peanuts' animated special, Charlie scores a major triumph. Thinking not so much of himself but of his little sister, Sally, and of future generations, he devises a plan to save a beloved institution: the 'Peanuts' gang's summer camp. The desire to preserve a cherished institution also inspired the creative team behind the production, the first new 'Peanuts' television musical in over 35 years. (The last was 'Snoopy! The Musical,' from 1988.) With this special, which begins streaming on Friday on Apple TV+, the writers aim both to celebrate the legacy of Charles Schulz, who died in 2000 — 2025 is the 75th anniversary of the comic strip — and to take the indelible 'Peanuts' crew in a slightly different direction. 'The thought jumped in my mind, wouldn't it be exciting to see the characters, you know, actually sing and dance?' Craig Schulz said in a joint video interview with Bryan Schulz and Cornelius Uliano, his screenplay collaborators and fellow executive producers. (Craig is Charles Schulz's son, and Bryan is the cartoonist's grandson.) The idea occurred to him while he was home watching movie musicals like 'Tick, Tick … Boom!' and 'In the Heights.' He added that he felt that musical numbers would give this fresh 'Peanuts' offering, which is being released just as many children are returning from camp, an extended life. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical,' first Peanuts musical in 37 years, hits the right notes
The Peanuts gang heads to summer camp in 'Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical,' a pleasant and even moving Apple TV+ show that has the retro feel of the old TV specials of the 1960s and '70s. What's more, the 40-minute special is spiced up with about a half dozen new songs. Yes, Charlie Brown and company sing, in what is billed as the first Peanuts musical in 37 years (after the 1998 CBS special 'Snoopy! The Musical'). The songs, by Emmy Award nominees Jeff Morrow and Ben Folds as well as Broadway veterans Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, augment emotions and fit seamlessly into the story about children trying to save their beloved Cloverhill Ranch. While Charlie Brown (voice of Etienne Kellici) and Snoopy (Terry McGurrin) take center stage, the heart and soul of the 'Summer Musical' is Charlie's younger sister Sally (Hattie Kragten), a camp newbie who has difficulty settling in during her first real trip away from home. Like the older kids did before her, Sally grows to love the camp, despite the fact there's no TV (actual modern kids would be pining for WiFi and a tablet, but no matter). But when it's announced that the camp will close because of declining enrollment, she joins her brother and the usual crew — Linus (Wyatt White), Peppermint Patty (Lexi Perri), Franklin (Caleb Bellavance) and even cantankerous Lucy (Isabella Leo), among others — to put on a show to draw attention and presumably more kids. Meanwhile, Snoopy and Woodstock (Rob Tinkler) go hunting for treasure when they discover a map behind an old photograph, a strained plot thread that eventually becomes relevant to the story. 'Summer Musical' is co-written and produced by Santa Rosa resident Craig Schulz, son of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz and able caretaker of his father's legacy. Directed by Erik Wiese, the animation is colorful and meditative, with several nice touches, such as the sun dappling on Charlie Brown's head as he walks under trees. Some of its target audience might have been subject to virtual classrooms during the pandemic, with some challenges to overcome in their social development. In a sense, this special is made for them, with its messages of the pleasures of unplugging, appreciating nature and social interaction landing gently.
