Disney Channel Order Second Season of Johnny and the Sprites

Disney Channel has ordered a second season of its hit series for preschoolers "Johnny and the Sprites" for the learning-focused Playhouse Disney programming block. The announcement was made today by Nancy Kanter, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Channel. Tony Award-nominee, John Tartaglia returns as star and executive producer of the series, which combines the musical talent of some of Broadway's finest with endearing puppet characters and stories for preschoolers and parents to enjoy together. The series is scheduled to begin shooting season two this fall at Kaufman Astoria Studios in New York.

A ratings winner since its January 13 premiere, "Johnny and the Sprites" has consistently ranked among the top ten basic cable series with Kids 2-5. The series premiere episode ranked as basic cable's most watched program for Kids 2-5, in its time period. (Source: Nielsen Media Research). Ratings based on coverage rating. "When we developed 'Johnny and the Sprites' our goal was to create entertaining and educational content while introducing our viewers to the exciting world of Broadway style music," said Kanter. "Since our premiere we have experienced extremely gratifying ratings and feedback telling us that our stories and music are resonating with kids and their parents. Our creative team is busy preparing to develop new episodes filled with more of this original, quality music, dance and innovative storytelling."

Season one of the series saw an incredible roster of Broadway talent involved with the show. Tony Award-winning actress Sutton Foster ("Thoroughly Modern Millie") and the cast of the hit Off-Broadway show "Altar Boyz" had guest starring roles, and Natalie Venetia Belcon ("Avenue Q") had a recurring role as Johnny's next door neighbor, Gwen, which she is expected to reprise for season two. Among those who contributed lyrics and music to the series for season one are Oscar-winner Stephen Schwartz ("Pocahontas," "Wicked," "Pippin," "Godspell"), Gary Adler ("Avenue Q," "Altar Boyz"), Mark Hollmann ("Urinetown"), Robert Lopez ("Avenue Q"), Michael Patrick Walker ("Altar Boyz"), Ryan Cunningham and Joshua Salzman ("I Love You Because") and the award-winning cabaret duo of Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler.

"Johnny and the Sprites" stars Tartaglia as Johnny, a singer/songwriter who moves out to the country after inheriting a family home. He soon discovers a portal in his backyard leading to the enchanted world of magical creatures known as the Sprites: Ginger, Basil, Lily and Root. Together, Johnny and the Sprites learn valuable lessons about appreciating differences and embracing new customs and ideas.

The series' educational goals emphasize the importance of mutual understanding and tolerance. Often, the differences between the Sprites' world and Johnny's human world culminate in invaluable lessons learned about respect for other cultures and customs. Additionally, the show presents preschoolers with a sense of community and teaches them about the environment and how their behaviors can affect the world around them.

The Sprites are brought to life by a team of veteran television puppeteers including Leslie Carrara-Rudolph ("Sesame Street") as Ginger, Tim Lagasse ("It's a Big, Big World," "Bear in the Big Blue House") as Basil, Carmen Osbahr ("Sesame Street") as Lily, Heather Asch ("Between the Lions") as Root and Tartaglia himself as Sage.

John Tartaglia is the executive producer. Emmy Award-winning Michael Schupbach ("Avenue Q," "Sesame Street") is the character designer. Emmy Award-winning Laura Brock is the production designer.

"Johnny and the Sprites" airs Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. during Disney Channel's Playhouse Disney programming block for preschoolers. Playhouse Disney is a daily programming block on Disney Channel which encourages preschoolers to imagine and learn through original series, interstitials and acquired programming that encompasses song, movement and entertainment. Guided by an established curriculum, Playhouse Disney supports multiple areas of child development: physical, emotional, social and cognitive; thinking and creative skills as well as moral and ethical development through carefully constructed themes, storylines and characters.