Kindergarten: The Musical
| Kindergarten: The Musical | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Created by |
|
| Voices of |
|
| Opening theme | "Kindergarten: The Musical" performed by Eva Noblezada |
| Ending theme | "Kindergarten: The Musical" (instrumental) |
| Composer | Vidjay Beerepoot |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 25 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Greg Chalekian |
| Running time | 22 minutes (11 minutes per segment) |
| Production company | Oddbot Entertainment |
| Original release | |
| Network | Disney Jr. |
| Release | September 3, 2024 – present |
Kindergarten: The Musical is an American animated children's television series created by Michelle Lewis and Charlton Pettus. The series is produced by Oddbot Entertainment, and animation services provided by M2 Animation. It premiered on September 3, 2024 on Disney Jr.
Synopsis
[edit]The series follows the adventures of Berti Benavente, a 5-year-old girl who starts kindergarten at Porter Elementary School and discovers the highs and lows of school, along with her classmates and teacher Ms. Moreno. Each episode is presented in the style of a Broadway musical, with the kids singing and dancing as they learn new things. One song per episode features a shift from CGI animation to 2D Flash animation, featuring a music video based on what Berti and her classmates have learned.
Characters
[edit]Main
[edit]- Berti Benavente (voiced by Andrea Rosa Guzman)[1]
- Radish Rizal (voiced by Zander Chin)[1]
- Rose (voiced by Leah Newman)[1]
- Tej (voiced by Shyam Balasubramanian)[1]
- Abigail Wells (voiced by Tandi Fomukong)[1]
- Kat and Ellie (both voiced by Alice Halsey)[1]
- Kenji (voiced by Kailen Jude)[1]
- Jamil (voiced by Randy Perrine)[1]
- Ms. Sonja Moreno (voiced by Gina Torres)[1]
Recurring
[edit]- Mr. Benavente (voiced by Aloe Blacc)[1]
- Ms. Alvarez (voiced by Ana Isabelle)[1]
- Val Rizal (voiced by Vincent Rodriguez III)[1]
- Carly (voice by Lena Josephine Marano)
Guest
[edit]- Hedgehog Holmes (voiced by Leona Lewis)[1]
Episodes
[edit]| No. | Title [2][3][4] | Directed by | Written by | Storyboarded by | Original release date [2][3][4] | Prod. code [2][4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "There's No Place Like Kindergarten" | Chong Suk Lee | Laurie Israel | Sam J. Irizarry & Joe Haider | September 3, 2024 | 101 |
| "We're Off to Get a Sticker" | Guy Moore | Damien Luis Lopez | ||||
| 2 | "One Singular Self-Portrait" | Chong Suk Lee | Dara Frazier & Laurie Israel | Sam J. Irizarry | September 4, 2024 | 102 |
| "Don't Cry for Me Kindergarten" | Guy Moore | Damien Luis Lopez | Damien Luis Lopez | |||
| 3 | "Little Job of Horrors" | Guy Moore | Laurie Israel | Rebecca Snowden | September 5, 2024[a] | 103 |
| "Bye Bye Albie" | Chong Suk Lee | Areli Quinonez | ||||
| 4 | "Shoeloose" | Chong Suk Lee | Amanda Gotera | Angela Choi & Joe Haider | September 6, 2024[a] | 104 |
| "If I Only Had a Scarf" | Guy Moore | Dara Frazier | Hilary Paige Taylor | |||
| 5 | "Bunny Girl" | Chong Suk Lee | Charlton Pettus | Areli Quinonez & Joe Haider | September 13, 2024[a] | 107 |
| "Give My Regards to Backdrops" | Nora M. Johnson | Matt Price | Rebecca Snowden | |||
| 6 | "Twin the Heights" | Chong Suk Lee | Matt Price | Angela Choi & Bill Breneisen | September 20, 2024[a] | 109 |
| "Everything's Coming Up Jamil" | Nora M. Johnson | David Brandyn | Hilary Paige Taylor & Lauren Kreiger | |||
| 7 | "The Witch and I" | Nora M. Johnson | Amanda Gotera | Lauren Kreiger & Sam Marin | October 4, 2024[a] | 117 |
| "Berti and the Beast" | Matt Danner | Ivory Floyd | Sam J. Irizarry & Cindy Quach | |||
| 8 | "Phantom of the Trumpet" | Chong Suk Lee | Peter Chen | Angela Choi & Stephen B. Jones | October 11, 2024[a] | 106 |
| "Food Glorious Food Fair" | Nora M. Johnson & Guy Moore | Venessa M. Diaz | Hilary Paige Taylor | |||
| 9 | "All or Muffin" | Chong Suk Lee | Peter Chen | Areli Quinonez & Bill Breneisen | October 18, 2024[a] | 110 |
| "Bring in 'da Cake, Bring in 'da Fun" | Nora M. Johnson | Venessa M. Diaz | Rebecca Snowden & Stephen B. Jones | |||
| 10 | "Don't Grow for Me" | Chong Suk Lee | Amanda Gotera | Sam J. Irizarry & Bill Breneisen | October 25, 2024[a] | 111 |
| "You Can't Stop the Beads" | Nora M. Johnson | David Brandyn | Lauren Kreiger & Stephen B. Jones | |||
| 11 | "Meet Me in Santo Domingo" | Nora M. Johnson | Peter Chen | Hilary Paige Taylor & Sam Marin | November 15, 2024[b] | 118 |
| "Some Enchanted Second Grader" | Matt Danner | Venessa M. Diaz | Angela Choi & Cindy Quach | |||
| 12 | "Do You Hear the Students Sing?" | Matt Danner & Chong Suk Lee | David Brandyn | Sam J. Irizarry & Kelsey Norden | November 22, 2024[b] | 114 |
| "Hello, Dino Dolly!" | Nora M. Johnson | David Murto | Lauren Kreiger & Stephen B. Jones | |||
| 13 | "Squish in Boots" | Matt Danner & Chong Suk Lee | Ivory Floyd | Areli Quinonez & Crystal Kan | November 29, 2024[b] | 113 |
| "Take Me or Leaf Me" | Nora M. Johnson | Peter Chen | Rebecca Snowden & Stephen B. Jones | |||
| 14 | "A Winter's Walrus" | Matt Danner | Amanda Gotera | Angela Choi & Cindy Quach | December 5, 2024[b] | 121 |
| "One Holiday More" | Nora M. Johnson | Peter Chen | Hilary Paige Taylor & Sam Marin | |||
| 15 | "A Star is Drawn" | Nora M. Johnson | David Brandyn | Rebecca Snowden, Stephen B. Jones & Sam Marin | January 10, 2025[b] | 116 |
| "My Tooth Fairy Lady" | Matt Danner & Chong Suk Lee | Peter Chen | Areli Quinonez & Cindy Quach | |||
| 16 | "Berti and the Amazing Candy-Coated Cottage" | Matt Danner | Ivory Floyd | Areli Quinonez & Cindy Quach | February 5, 2025 | 122 |
| "Beet Juice" | Nora M. Johnson | David Murto | Rebecca Snowden & Sam Marin | |||
| 17 | "Choosies" | Nora M. Johnson | Ivory Floyd | Rebecca Snowden & Sam Marin | February 14, 2025[c] | 112 |
| "When You Wish Upon a Rose" | Matt Danner | Amanda Gotera | Areli Quinonez & Cindy Quach | |||
| 18 | "All That Math" | Matt Danner & Chong Suk Lee | Amanda Gotera | Angela Choi & Cindy Quach | February 21, 2025[c] | 115 |
| "Don't Rain on My Field Day" | Nora M. Johnson | Venessa M. Diaz | Hilary Taylor & Sam Marin | |||
| 19 | "You're a Good Teacher, Ms. Moreno" | Matt Danner | David Brandyn | Sam J. Irizarry & Cindy Quach | March 7, 2025 | 120 |
| "Piñata With the Fringe on Top" | Nora M. Johnson | Venessa M. Diaz | Lauren Krieger & Sam Marin | |||
| 20 | "Gotta Go!" | Chong Suk Lee | Jessica Leventhal | Rebecca Snowden | March 21, 2025 | 105 |
| "Feel Ev'ry Feeling" | Guy Moore | David Brandyn | Areli Quinonez | |||
| 21 | "Take Me Out to the Tee-Ball Game" | Chong Suk Lee | Matt Price | Sam J Irizarry & Joe Haidar | April 4, 2025 | 125 |
| "The Sun'll Come Out" | Nora M. Johnson | Amanda Gotera | Stephen B. Jones & Crystal Kan | |||
| 22 | "Oh, What a Beautiful Flower" | Matt Danner | Ivory Floyd | Sam J. Irizarry & Cindy Quach | April 18, 2025[d] | 123 |
| "Stink, Stink...Boom!" | Nora M. Johnson | David Brandyn | Lauren Krieger & Sam Marin | |||
| 23 | "It's Only a Paper Crane" | Matt Danner | Peter Chen | Angela Choi & Lauren Krieger | May 2, 2025[d] | 119 |
| "If I Were a Princess" | Nora Johnson | Vanessa M. Diaz | Hilary Paige Taylor, Angela Choi, & Sam Marin | |||
| 24 | "Mami Mia" | Chong Suk Lee | Vanessa M. Diaz | Angela Choi & Charlotte Vevers | May 16, 2025[d] | 124 |
| "Beach Blanket Berti" | Nora M. Johnson | Ivory Floyd | Hilary Paige Taylor & Stephen B. Jones | |||
| 25 | "Somewhere Over the Ocean" | Matt Danner | Amanda Gotera | Areli Quinonez | May 23, 2025[d] | 108 |
| "It's the Hard-Book Life" | Nora M. Johnson | Ivory Floyd | Rebecca Snowden & Sam Marin | |||
Production
[edit]On April 29, 2022, during the Disney Jr. Fun Fest event, it was announced that Michelle Lewis and Charlton Pettus' preschool series Kindergarten: The Musical had been green-lit for Disney Jr. Lewis and Pettus executive producer alongside Tom Warburton, Kay Hanley and Dan Petty, with Laurie Israel serving as co-producer/story editor. The series is produced by Oddbot Entertainment in association with Disney Jr.[9] Warburton, Guy Moore (3D) and Mallory Coronado (2D) serve as the series' supervising directors. Eva Noblezada helms the main title.[10][11] The main cast was announced on August 5, 2024.[1]
Release
[edit]Kindergarten: The Musical premiered in the United States on Disney Jr. on September 3, 2024.[12] The first batch of ten episodes was made available for streaming on Disney+ starting September 4, 2024.[13] The series later debuted on Disney Jr. in Canada on September 7, 2024.
Reception
[edit]Ashley Moulton of Common Sense Media rated Kindergarten four out of five stars and stated the series is a great pick for younger kids, praising its positive educational value and social-emotional lessons. She found the show's diverse representation of characters, with Berti being a Puerto Rican girl and classmates from various backgrounds, to be a highlight, stating that it subtly acknowledges cultural diversity without overtly discussing identities. Moulton appreciated the absence of stereotypical gender roles, noting that the characters don’t adhere to gendered interests. She appreciated the series' focus on kindness, problem-solving, and the excitement of learning, highlighting the positive role models that Berti and her friends represent.[14] BELatina complimented Kindergarten for highlighting Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage. They found that the focus on Dominican culture, particularly in an episode where Berti visits her father's hometown of Santo Domingo, beautifully showcased the pride and joy of reconnecting with one's roots. BELatina said that the show provides young Latino viewers with an authentic reflection of their identities, amplifying their stories and validating their experiences. They appreciated how the show blends Broadway-style music with lessons about emotional expression, celebrating the complexities of Latino culture in a fun, engaging way.[15]
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h This episode was first released on Disney+ on September 4, 2024.[5]
- ^ a b c d e This episode was first released on Disney+ on November 6, 2024.[6]
- ^ a b This episode was first released on Disney+ on February 5, 2025.[7]
- ^ a b c d This episode was first released on Disney+ on April 4, 2025.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Milligan, Mercedes (August 5, 2024). "'Kindergarten: The Musical' Tunes Up with Trailer, Cast & Premiere Reveal". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on February 24, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c "KINDERGARTEN: THE MUSICAL! (DISNEY JUNIOR)". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ a b "Kindergarten: The Musical! Season 1 Episode Guide". Gracenote. September 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Kindergarten: The Musical!". Disney Branded Television Press. Disney General Entertainment Content. Archived from the original on December 28, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ "Next on Disney+: September 2024". Disney Plus Press (Press release). August 19, 2024. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ^ "Next on Disney+: November 2024". Disney Plus Press (Press release). October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ "Next on Disney+: February 2025". Disney Plus Press (Press release). January 16, 2025. Archived from the original on February 24, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ "Next on Disney+: April 2025". Disney Plus Press (Press release). March 17, 2025. Archived from the original on March 17, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
- ^ Palmer, Roger (June 11, 2024). ""Kindergarten: The Musical" Coming Soon To Disney+". WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Alice! Mickey! Pooh! Spidey! Disney Junior Announces Slate of New Original Series and Shorts, Along With Returning Franchises, Debuting Across Disney+ and Disney Junior Platforms Through 2024 at First-Ever Disney Junior Fun Fest" (Press release). Disney Branded Television. April 29, 2022. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2024 – via The Futon Critic.
- ^ Petski, Denise (April 29, 2022). "John Stamos To Voice Iron Man In Spidey and His Amazing Friends Season 2; New Disney Jr. Programming Slate Unveiled". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Reif, Alex (August 30, 2024). "Exclusive Clip: Disney Jr.'s "Kindergarten: The Musical" – Berti Feels Homesick at Lunchtime". LaughingPlace.com. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ Palmer, Roger (August 5, 2024). "Disney's "Kindergarten: The Musical" Trailer Released". WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ Moulton, Ashley. "Kindergarten: The Musical TV Review | Common Sense Media". Common Sense Media. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ Daily, BELatina (November 21, 2024). "Representation Matters: Dominican Culture Comes Alive in Disney Jr. Series, 'Kindergarten: The Musical'". BELatina. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
External links
[edit]
 | This article about a children's television series produced in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- 2020s American animated television series
- 2020s American children's comedy television series
- 2020s American school television series
- 2020s preschool education television series
- 2024 American animated television series debuts
- American children's animated adventure television series
- American children's animated comedy television series
- American children's animated fantasy television series
- American children's animated musical television series
- American computer-animated television series
- American English-language television shows
- American preschool education television series
- Animated preschool education television series
- Animated television series about children
- Disney Jr. original programming
- Elementary school television series
- Fictional American people
- Television series by Disney
- American children's television series stubs