If Angela C. Santomero had done nothing other than help bring the TV show Blue's Clues into the world, then her place in the world of kids' TV would be secure.
But she hasn't rested on her laurels and finds herself busier than ever, having created and executive-produced Super WHY!, the #1-ranked preschool TV show, as well as Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, which is a spinoff of the beloved Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Oh, and she executive-produces and co-hosts The Parents Show on PBS Parents.
And did we mention the Super WHY! live musical show, which is now touring throughout the country this spring, which Santomero wrote and features music written by fun. guitarist Jack Antonoff?
Angela answered some question by e-mail recently, though exactly where she found the time to do so, I'm not entirely sure. Read on to find out Santomero's favorite part of the show, how Antonoff got involved, and how she stays on top of her many different enterprises.
Zooglobble: What
are your first musical memories?
Angela C. Santomero: Annie! I
fell in love with theater when I went to see my first Broadway show as a little
girl, Annie. My sister and I were so inspired that we acted it out and sang for
hours and hours after we saw the show!
What
are your first reading memories?
As a
young preschooler, I "read" the little Golden Book Little Mommy over and over
again to my parents, cousins, grandparents - basically anyone who would listen
to me. I still have the book, it's such a favorite!
I
understand that Super WHY! had its origins as your Masters thesis -- what
prompted you to develop the concept then (and then subsequently into production
as an actual TV show)?
I was
such an avid reader as a child and loved that reading took me on adventures to
the most exotic and interesting places. When I was in college, I realized that
not everyone is a visual learner and that some have a harder time seeing beyond
the words in a book. I wanted to celebrate reading and use animation to help
kids visualize the worlds and the characters that are beyond the text. Helping
kids to learn and LOVE to read is a passion of mine.
What
prompted you to turn Super Why into the stage production?
The idea
of having kids fall in love with theater, interact with our characters and sing
the songs LIVE is one of the most fulfilling experiences. The kids who come to
the show all bond over their love of the music, the stories, the games, and
can't wait to hug our characters. It's a dream come true!
