Snoopy The Musical: A Stage & Screen Gem That’s More Than Just Peanuts
Let’s cut to the chase—Snoopy The Musical isn’t your run-of-the-mill cast recording. Released in 1998 by the Original London Cast, this album is a quirky love letter to Charles M. Schulz’s iconic comic strip. With its mix of whimsical storytelling and toe-tapping tunes, it feels like someone took Snoopy’s doghouse, gave it wheels, and sent it rolling straight into your heart. Produced under TER and Jay Productions Ltd., with Arthur Whitelaw at the helm as director and writer, this thing has charm for days.
Now, let me tell ya, if you’re expecting some highfalutin Broadway bombast, you might need to recalibrate those expectations. This album is more about intimate moments and clever lyrics than jaw-dropping showstoppers (though there are definitely highlights). Hal Hackady penned the words while Larry Grossman handled the music, creating a score that’s equal parts playful and poignant. And hey, props to Matthew Scott on keyboards and Stuart Pedlar as music director—they keep things tight without overdoing it.
Tracks That Stick Like Peanut Butter
Out of all the tracks, two stood out enough to make me hit repeat like I was training for an “annoy my roommate” marathon.
First up: "The World According To Snoopy." Oh man, this one’s a vibe. It perfectly captures Snoopy’s larger-than-life personality—the way he sees himself as everything from a World War I flying ace to a novelist sipping coffee in Parisian cafes. The melody bounces along with just the right amount of pep, and Robert Locke’s vocals? Pure gold. You can practically picture Snoopy typing away furiously on his typewriter, dreaming of literary greatness. It’s catchy, fun, and somehow makes you feel cooler just listening to it. Like, yeah, maybe I could write the next great American novel too… or at least a decent blog post.
Then there’s "Don’t Be Anything Less Than You Can Be," which hits different. If "The World According To Snoopy" is all sunshine and daydreams, this track brings the feels. It’s got a gentle, almost lullaby-like quality that sneaks up on you. When they sing about embracing who you are and not settling for less, it’s impossible not to nod along like, “Yeah, okay, fair point.” It’s the kind of song that sticks with you long after the final note fades, reminding you to chase your dreams—even if your biggest dream is nailing that perfect nap pose à la Snoopy.
Behind the Curtain
The credits read like a who’s who of talent. Kay Cole’s choreography probably made the stage version pop, and David Graden’s design likely added buckets of charm. Meanwhile, John Kurlander’s engineering ensures the sound is crisp but never sterile. Bonus points for including liner notes by Arthur Whitelaw, because context matters! Even Snoopy would approve.
Final Thoughts (With a Dash of Weirdness)
Here’s the deal: Snoopy The Musical won’t change your life, but it will brighten your day. It’s the musical equivalent of finding a forgotten peanut butter cup in the back of your drawer—it’s sweet, nostalgic, and exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
And honestly? Listening to this album made me wonder… why don’t we have more musicals based on cartoon dogs? Imagine Garfield belting out power ballads or Scooby-Doo solving mysteries through interpretive dance. Food for thought, folks.
