Johnny and the Sprites is an American children's musical television show that aired every weekend on the "Playhouse Disney" block on Disney Channel. The show was created by, produced by, and starred John Tartaglia (most famous for his work on Avenue Q). The show's theme song was written by Stephen Schwartz. Each episode of the show features a musical number, many of which are written by various notable Broadway composers such as Gary Adler, Bobby Lopez, Laurence O'Keefe, Michael Patrick Walker, and others. The Sprites and all of the other creatures that inhabit Johnny's world were designed by Michael Schupbach. The set was designed by Laura Brock.
The series premiered on October 9, 2005, with five 5-minute-long shorts, which continually played on Disney Channel's programming. However, due to extremely positive audience reaction, the show was renewed for half-hour shows in 2007. The current episodes can also be viewed on the Disney Channel's official website. The show was then renewed for a second season of half-hour episodes, which were filmed in fall 2007 at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, New York City (the same studio as Sesame Street). The second season premiered on January 19, 2008.
The show follows Johnny T (Tartaglia), a songwriter who moves into a house given to him by his great-uncle. There, he discovers little magical creatures called "sprites," who introduce him to their fantasy world. In return, Johnny shows the sprites, named Ginger (Leslie Carrara-Rudolph), Basil (Tim Lagasse), Lily (Carmen Osbahr) and Root (Heather Asch) what it is to be human, teaching them lessons through song, dance, and entertainment.
In October 2007, Disney-MGM Studios presented a live version of the show as part of the Playhouse Disney in Concert shows.
In the Spanish dubbed version of the program, Johnny's voice is dubbed by the host of Playhouse Disney Latin America, Diego Topa.
In the United Kingdom, the show aired on CBeebies. The episodes were split up to 13 minute single episodes instead of the usual full 26 minute version.
Beginning on March 23, 2012, the show rerun on the Disney Junior channel and was removed on September 3, 2013.
Full series[]
Johnny and the Sprites premiered as a full 25-minute series on January 13, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The series features more elaborate sets, such as a reflecting pond and the Sprites' home in Grotto's Grove. Three new Sprites were added: Lily, a water Sprite played by Carmen Osbahr; Root, "a budding earth Sprite" played by Heather Asch; and Sage, the wisest of the Sprites, also played by Tartaglia. Natalie Venetia Belcon (who, along with fellow cast member John Tartaglia also had a role in Avenue Q) plays Gwen, a recurring character who, as a running gag, holds a different occupation in each episode. She always explains that "You never know what you can do, until you try something new." Johnny's sister Tina (Sutton Foster) has also appeared. Each show consists of two 10-minute mini-episodes. Each episode also features the song "Heads Up!" by Gary Adler and Phoebe Kreutz, performed by Johnny, Lily, Root, Ginger, and Basil in between the two 10-minute episodes.
Characters[]
Humans[]
- Johnny (performed by John Tartaglia) is a young composer who comes to live in his great uncle's old house to work on his music. He is the star of the show.
- Gwen (performed by Natalie Venetia Belcon) is Johnny's neighbor and best friend. She is always "trying out something new" and often has a different job every time she visits. In Season 2, Gwen officially meets the Sprites.
Sprites[]
- Ginger (performed and voiced by Leslie Carrara-Rudolph) is a pink and purple Air Sprite with a spunky, sporty attitude.
- Basil (performed and voiced by Tim Lagasse) is a light green and green Earth Sprite with glasses. He is very smart and knows a great deal about Sprite history and gardening.
- Lily (performed and voiced by Carmen Osbahr) is a blue and purple Water Sprite who is able to speak Spanish. She is very in touch with nature and loves to paint.
- Root (performed and voiced by Heather Asch) is a yellow and orange Earth Sprite who can already get plants to grow just by talking to them. He is the youngest, shyest, and smallest of the Sprites.
- Sage (performed and voiced by John Tartaglia) is the oldest and wisest Sprite of them all. When the younger Sprites need advice or lack knowledge on a subject, they often confer with him.
Other[]
- Seymour (performed and voiced by Jim Kroupa) is not a Sprite, but a Schmole (a purple, talking mole). He lives in (or rather 'under') Johnny's backyard and has quite an appetite.
- The Fuzzies are small, colorful creatures that live with the Sprites and enjoy hanging out with Johnny and they often do work for the Sprites.