Brown, known for his sophisticated and often complex musical theatre compositions, found himself in a different realm when he joined the team behind “The Wonder Pets.” Initially approached to write music for an episode, he recounts his surprise and delight at the show’s success. “The show’s done very well,” he noted, “it’s the number one show on Nickelodeon and they just got picked up for a second season.” His anecdote about a two-and-a-half-year-old fan enjoying the “Unicorn episode” highlights the show’s broad appeal and impact on young audiences. Despite his busy schedule and other creative commitments, Brown expressed genuine pride in his contribution to “The Wonder Pets,” acknowledging the unique satisfaction of being associated with a hit show.
However, Brown was also keen to shine a light on another crucial musical force behind “The Wonder Pets”: Larry Hochman. He emphasized Hochman’s foundational role in shaping the show’s musical identity. “I have to take this moment to credit Larry Hochman,” Brown stated, “who is not being acknowledged enough in the Nickelodeon publicity – he wrote the major themes… he set the palette for the whole show, he truly did a remarkable job laying out the template for what the show should be, and the success of ‘Wonder Pets’ is in no small part due to Larry’s work.” This generous acknowledgement underscores the collaborative nature of television music production and the importance of recognizing the contributions of all creative individuals involved.
Adapting his compositional style for a preschool audience presented an interesting challenge for Brown, but one he seemed to embrace. He explained his philosophy of not “writing down” to children, assuming their ears are more perceptive than often credited. “I really didn’t ‘write down’ for the Wonder Pets episode,” he clarified, “I just had to deal with the technical limitations of the performers.” This approach suggests a respect for young viewers’ musical sensibilities and a commitment to creating quality music that is engaging and enjoyable for all ages. The recorded nature of animation allowed for some flexibility in performance, contrasting with the demands of live theatre, a domain where Brown typically operates.
Delving into the specifics of the composition process, Brown described a structured workflow dictated by the show’s format and time constraints. He received finished scripts with lyrics and precise timings for each segment, as every episode had to be exactly thirteen minutes long. A particularly unusual aspect was the fixed tempo requirement for each episode. “One of the weirder aspects of the writing is that every episode is apparently done at the exact same tempo… So if I wanted to do any tempo changes or ritards or accelerandi, I had to do the math to figure out how to keep the quarter note consistent.” This technical constraint, while initially perplexing, became a unique puzzle to solve within the creative process.
Brown’s creative process involved drafting a piano/vocal score, creating a MIDI demo with his own vocals, and then navigating feedback from writers and producers. This iterative process is typical in television production, ensuring that the music aligns with the narrative and overall vision of the show. He humorously lamented the absence of singing in his particular episode, wishing he had advocated for more vocal pieces. Comparing his experience to that of Michael John LaChiusa, another composer who worked on “The Wonder Pets,” Brown noted, “I saw one of Michael John’s episodes (‘Save The Pigeon,’ I think it was) and he got to write a lot more vocal stuff, whereas I feel like my episode is almost entirely underscore. Oh well.” Despite this minor disappointment, his overall positive sentiment towards the show remained.
While his involvement with “The Wonder Pets” might be considered “peripheral” in the larger context of his illustrious career, Jason Robert Brown’s insights reveal the dedication and artistry that go into creating even seemingly simple children’s television music. His experience underscores the collaborative nature of the project, the importance of musical foundations laid by figures like Larry Hochman, and the rewarding challenge of composing for a young audience. “The Wonder Pets”’ enduring popularity is a testament to the magic created when engaging stories are combined with thoughtfully crafted music, a magic that Broadway composers like Brown were happy to contribute to.
