Allegra's Window is an American musical children's television series that aired on Nickelodeon during its Nick Jr. block from October 24, 1994, to December 8, 1996,[2][1] with reruns being shown until February 5, 1999;[3] it was later shown on Noggin from February 2, 1999, to April 6, 2003. The series deals with the daily life of a precocious, imaginative puppet character named Allegra, and featured live actors, puppets and animation, that was the similar to Sesame Street. The show was created by Jan Fleming, John Hoffman and Jim Jinkins, the latter of whom is also the creator of Doug. Two of the puppeteers, Kathryn Mullen and Anthony Asbury, would later work together on the PBS series Between the Lions as the performers of Lionel and Leona Lion.
| Allegra's Window | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Created by |
|
| Voices of |
|
| Composer | Don Sebesky & Dan Sawyer |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 50 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | John Hoffman |
| Production locations | |
| Cinematography | None |
| Editor | None |
| Camera setup | Single Camera |
| Running time | 24 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Nickelodeon |
| Release | October 24, 1994 – December 8, 1996[1] |
The series also spawned a series of music videos aired during interstitials that aired on Nick Jr.
In the 2010s, the first season was released on iTunes and Amazon Video. On March 5, 2015, the whole series was released for viewing on Noggin's paid-subscription service from its initial launch.[4]
Synopsis
editThe series follows Allegra through the daily triumphs, trials, and tribulations of being a little girl. She and her big brother Rondo, along with her best friend Lindi (a yellow dog), a pesky blue neighborhood cat named Riff and a green boy named Poco all try to learn about the world around them with the help of their neighborhood friends. At the end of each episode, Allegra sits at her window and reflects on all the lessons she has learned. The series was music-based and included musically inspired characters named Lindi, Rondo, Riff, Poco, Reed, Miss Melody, Ellington, Encora, Sonata, Clef, Woofer, Aria, Tweeter, Flugie, Vi, and of course, Allegra the title character's name herself. There were also segments that feature talking musical instruments that live on the wall of Reed's Music shop.
Over 100 original songs were created for the series, under the oversight of musical director Don Sebesky.
The original decision to use the name Allegra for the show's lead occurred after creator/executive producer Jan Fleming attended a dinner party at the house of London-based academics and was introduced to their youngest daughter, Allegra. That evening, she remarked that it would be a great name for the little girl at the center of the project she was working on.
Characters
edit- Allegra (performed by Kathryn Mullen) is the title character of the series, a 3-year-old girl.[3] She is just learning about the world outside of her home and is quite brave. She mostly encounters problems and is always relied on her friends to find a solution. She also is known for having curly doodle hair, which Rondo points out and hates the fact that he does. She is also the leader of the gang.
- Rondo (performed by Anthony Asbury) is the older brother of Allegra. He is 6 years old and often tries to act tough. Nevertheless, he has a great deal of love and protection for his younger sister. It is mentioned that he is in the first grade by Allegra. In some episodes, Rondo walks upside down with his shoes on up.
- Lindi (performed by Pam Arciero) is a yellow dog who is Allegra's best friend and lives with Reed. She is feisty and often acts as her voice of reason in many cases throughout the series. She loves playing in the mud and also enjoys dance, especially ballet.
- Riff (voiced by Martin P. Robinson) is the pesky and grumpy neighborhood blue cat and Rondo's best friend and also a big brother type to him. Although he frequently takes advantage of Allegra's naivety, his favorite target is Mr. Cook. He becomes nicer as the series progresses.
- Mr. Cook (performed by Tim Lagasse) (credited as Timothy Lagasse) is the town baker who is frequently the butt of Riff's antics. He is generally upbeat and always speaks in third person and also speaks broken English. Rather than saying their names, he usually refers to the other characters based on their personality and appearance.
- Poco (voiced by Anthony Asbury) is Mr. Cook's nephew. The funniest and most curious character of the show, he tells jokes and teams up with Allegra, Rondo, Lindi, and Riff. Like his uncle, he also speaks in third person. He is the youngest character, being only 21⁄2 years old. Poco appears in the second and third seasons of the show.
- Reed (played by Bob Stillman) is a musician who runs the town's music shop. He is also Lindi's master. In the first season, he was depicted as being easily forgetful.
- Miss Melody (played by Andrea Frierson) is a teacher who runs Little Blue Daycare and favors Allegra.
- Ellington (played by Harry Burney) is the oldest resident of Hummingbird Alley. He is very kind and gentle to everyone in town, especially towards the kids. He appears in the first season only.
- Encora (played by Joanne Baum) is a friendly and energetic mail carrier with a love for singing. She rides a bicycle which she calls her "recycle cycle". She was introduced at the beginning of the second season.
- Sonata (performed by Pam Arciero) is Allegra and Rondo's mother.
- Clef (performed by Martin P. Robinson) is Allegra and Rondo's father.
- Grandma (performed by Heather Asch) is Allegra and Rondo's grandmother and Sonata's mother.
- Woofer (performed by Anthony Asbury), Aria (performed by Heather Asch), and Tweeter (performed by Tim Lagasse) are three tiny hummingbirds who live in a nest above a tree in Reed's piano garden.
- Flugie (performed by Martin P. Robinson) and Vi (performed by Heather Asch) are a tuba and a viola who hang on a wall at Reed's music shop.
- Jingle (performed by Heather Asch) and Jazz (performed by Tim Lagasse) are two toy balls who are often played with by Rondo and Allegra.
- Steve is an Australian green tree frog who is Allegra and Rondo's pet. He appears in the second season only.
- Arnold is an insect who is the pet of the three hummingbirds.
Production
editAllegra's Window was taped at Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando at Universal Studios Florida,[5] and was produced by Topstone Productions and Jumbo Pictures.[6]
Episodes
editSeries overview
edit| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| 1 | 18 | October 24, 1994 | December 21, 1994 | |
| 2 | 22 | September 10, 1995 | October 28, 1996 | |
| 3 | 10 | September 8, 1996 | December 8, 1996 | |
Season 1 (1994)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [2] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "My First Day at Daycare" | Emily Squires | Barry Harman | October 24, 1994 | |
|
Three-year-old Allegra is very nervous about attending her first day of Daycare. Accompanied by family and friends, she enters into a new world which at first seems overwhelming. Under the careful guidance of her teacher, Ms. Melody, Allegra learns to take things at her own pace, as well as the most important tool for making friends--saying "hello"! | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Where's Godfrey?" | Emily Squires | Mollie Fermaglich | October 25, 1994 | |
|
When Allegra loses "Godfrey the Octopus", her favorite stuffed toy, she is devastated. Everyone in Hummingbird Alley helps to look for Godfrey, and the concern and understanding her friends demonstrate helps Allegra to deal with her loss. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "My Own Monster" | Emily Squires | Jeff Kindley | October 26, 1994 | |
|
Allegra and Lindi are frightened when Rondo and Riff pretend that scary monsters lurk inside the boys' new fort. At Daycare, the girls learn monsters are not only imaginary--but can also be fun! And a good laugh is had when the girls learn that the boys can be scared of monsters, too. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Small Is Beautiful" | Emily Squires | Susan Kim | October 27, 1994 | |
|
Allegra feels terribly frustrated--she's always being told she's "too little." She can't play with her brother's toys or assist Mr. Cook in his diner. But she learns that small is sometimes the best size to be when working in tandem with Reed she is "instrumental" in providing the finishing touch to his new Tinga Linga Wind Chimes in the Piano Garden. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "The Imaginary Zoo" | Emily Squires | Story by : Joe Bailey Teleplay by : Joe Bailey and Barry Harman, Donna Harman & Jeff Kindley | November 1, 1994 | |
|
Rondo goes on a class trip to the zoo, and Allegra and her friends long to go with him. At Daycare, Ms. Melody takes them on a different type of "field trip"...by helping them to create their own, imaginary zoo. Even reluctant Riff joins in the fun, when he gets the chance to play his favorite relative--the lion! | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "The Zootabaga Caper" | Ted May | Donna Harman | November 2, 1994 | |
|
Allegra enjoys discovering new things at Daycare, until she's asked to sample a new food--fresh blue zootabagas! She stubbornly resists--any new food, she hasn't tried has to be yucky! When she finally agrees to take a bite...she learns that you can't always tell a zootabaga by its cover. | ||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Secret Adventures" | Ted May | Tim Grundmann | November 7, 1994 | |
|
Allegra inadvertently slips up and reveals a big secret Lindi shared with her. Lindi is furious; the plan to surprise Riff with a newly refurbished guitar is ruined. After Reed explains the importance of keeping one's promise, Allegra proves she is trustworthy. Lindi gives her another chance, tells her the second secret, and Allegra demonstrates she really can keep a confidence. | ||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Lots of Turkey Pox" | Ted May | Ian James | November 8, 1994 | |
|
When Allegra awakens with a case of Turkey Pox, she fears she will miss out on all the fun at Daycare. But with the help of her faithful pal Lindi and her Dad, she finds she can join the day's activity from her bedside. Lindi provides the instructions, Dad provides materials, and Allegra learns she can still have a great time...even with the Turkey Pox. | ||||||
| 9 | 9 | "Don't Touch My Stuff!" | Ted May | Andrew Yerkes | November 10, 1994 | |
|
Allegra accidentally damages her brother's new prized toy, after being warned not to touch it. Rondo gets very upset with her, so he then pretends she has become invisible, and Allegra fears he will stop being her brother! Both of them learn "brothers and sisters are forever." Not only can toys be repaired--so can hurt feelings. | ||||||
| 10 | 10 | "The Big Concert" | Ted May | Pippin Parker | November 11, 1994 | |
|
Allegra is excited about singing backup in Rondo and Riff's big musical concert...until she realizes there is going to be a big audience. Reed shares his own experiences of "stage fright" with her. In the end, it was Allegra who saves the day by singing her lead when Rondo and Riff get a bad case of the hiccups during the performance. | ||||||
| 11 | 11 | "Puppy Power to the Rescue" | Emily Squires | Andrea Toney & David Toney | November 14, 1994 | |
|
Allegra and her friends love playing at being super-heroes. But one day, Lindi almost starts believing she has the super powers of her favorite comic book heroine "Power Puppy" and determines she will find Mr. Cook's missing oven timer. In the end, Lindi realizes she is not endowed with "super powers" but is terrific just the way she is. | ||||||
| 12 | 12 | "When is Reed Coming Home?" | Emily Squires | Story by : Doug Cordell Teleplay by : Jeff Kindley | November 16, 1994 | |
|
Reed is going on a trip, and Allegra worries when and if he will return? Reed tries to case the separation by teaching all the children a song to sing when they feel lonely. Even so, Riff becomes convinced Reed will never come back. He and the rest are comforted when various surprises Reed has planned in his absence are revealed. | ||||||
| 13 | 13 | "Bandages R Us!" | Emily Squires | Mollie Fermaglich | November 29, 1994 | |
|
Lindi hurts her paw, and Allegra does not want her friend to feel alone while she recuperates, is determined to wear a bandage as well. This pleases Lindi but totally confuses Riff, who can't understand why Allegra wears a bandage when she isn't hurt. Allegra keeps her decision to wear her bandage, even getting the entire Daycare class to make one-handed finger painted get-well cards for Lindi. | ||||||
| 14 | 14 | "Read Me a Story" | Emily Squires | Jeff Kindley | December 1, 1994 | |
|
Allegra is impressed when Rondo proudly reads a story to her, and is determined to being learning the skill herself. She takes the first step at Daycare, when Ms. Melody involves the class in "writing" a book...made up of pictures, which Allegra learns is another way to tell a story. Happy with the new skills she has acquired, she proudly "reads" the book aloud to her very impressed friends. | ||||||
| 15 | 15 | "Allegra Has a Bad Day" | Emily Squires | Susan Kim | December 5, 1994 | |
|
Awakening late, seeing a cloudy sky, and then knocking a drum over at Reed's workshop, Allegra is having a bad day. At Daycare, the day gets worse: she discovers she's forgotten her lunch! But the day turns into a fun one when a sudden shower brings a much needed watering to Ellington's garden. Sometimes, the worst days can turn out the best! | ||||||
| 16 | 16 | "Nothing to Do" | Jim Jinkins | Susan Kim | December 7, 1994 | |
|
Riff's gone catfishing, and Rondo can't find anyone to do magic tricks with. Everyone else on Hummingbird Alley is going to Allegra's tea party. Convinced that tea parties are "uncool", Rondo declines Allegra's invitation, until Allegra asks him to show her guests one of his magic tricks. Presto Chango--Rondo is the hit of the party. | ||||||
| 17 | 17 | "Time Out" | Jim Jinkins | Barry Harman | December 9, 1994 | |
|
Playing at the breakfast table, Allegra and Rondo disobey their mother and break a family rule about not standing on chairs. This earns them both a time out. Upstairs, thinking about what he did wrong, Rondo leads Allegra in a protest against rules. But when he catches Allegra climbing on top of her dresser, Rondo realizes that some of mom and dad's rules aren't as dumb as he thought. | ||||||
| 18 | 18 | "Waiting for Grandma" | Jim Jinkins | Donna Harman | December 21, 1994 | |
|
Grandma is coming and it's time for the Holiday Happy Hoopla. Allegra and Rondo can't wait. Mom tells them that staying busy will make the time go faster. Allegra struggles at first, but eventually she gets so involved in playing dress up that she doesn't realize when Grandma finally arrives. | ||||||
Season 2 (1995–1996)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [7] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 1 | "Kids That Go Bump in the Night" | Ted May | Story by : Ellen Schecter Teleplay by : Jeff Kindley | September 10, 1995 | |
|
Allegra and Rondo have a sleepover with their friends. | ||||||
| 20 | 2 | "A Frog Named Steve" | Ted May | Jeff Kindley | September 11, 1995 | |
|
Allegra sees a frog and calls it Steve. She takes care of it for a week. | ||||||
| 21 | 3 | "Here's Poco" | Ted May | Barry Harman | September 12, 1995 | |
|
Allegra helps Poco, who is new at Daycare. | ||||||
| 22 | 4 | "Mr. Cook Babysits" | Ted May | Andrew Yerkes | September 13, 1995 | |
|
Mr. Cook babysits the kids while Allegra and Rondo's parents are away. | ||||||
| 23 | 5 | "A Box Divided" | Ted May | Donna Harman | September 17, 1995 | |
|
Encora helps the children play with a box. | ||||||
| 24 | 6 | "Doodlehead" | Ted May | Story by : Jan Fleming-Candler Teleplay by : Susan Kim | September 18, 1995 | |
|
Allegra is tired of her doodly hair. | ||||||
| 25 | 7 | "Best Friends Forever" | Emily Squires | Andrew Yerkes | September 20, 1995 | |
|
Allegra feels like three's a crowd. | ||||||
| 26 | 8 | "The Big Mystery" | Ted May | Susan Kim | September 24, 1995 | |
|
Allegra must find out who stole her prized possessions. | ||||||
| 27 | 9 | "Copy Cat, Copy Cat, Go Away!" | Ted May | Jeff Kindley | September 26, 1995 | |
|
Allegra imitates Rondo. | ||||||
| 28 | 10 | "The Wishing Stone" | Franklin Melton | Donna Harman | October 2, 1995 | |
|
Allegra finds a magic stone and wishes for things. | ||||||
| 29 | 11 | "Poco's 2 1/2 Birthday" | Emily Squires | Story by : Scott Fellows Teleplay by : Barry Harman & Andrew Yerkes | October 5, 1995 | |
|
Poco is celebrating his birthday. However, Poco did not invite Riff, who thought the idea of a half-birthday was silly. | ||||||
| 30 | 12 | "Beautiful Dreamers" | Emily Squires | Jeff Kindley | October 8, 1995 | |
|
Allegra and the kids discuss about their dreams. | ||||||
| 31 | 13 | "Topsy Turvy Day" | Ted May | Donna Harman | October 11, 1995 | |
|
Everything is mixed up as it is Topsy Turvy Day. | ||||||
| 32 | 14 | "Stop Making Sense" | Emily Squires | Susan Kim | October 15, 1995 | |
|
Rondo has the flu, so Allegra cheers him up. | ||||||
| 33 | 15 | "Strange Vet Fellows" | Greg Lehane | Mollie Fermaglich | October 17, 1995 | |
|
Allegra goes to the doctor to get a shot. | ||||||
| 34 | 16 | "Clean-up Kids" | Greg Lehane | Jeff Kindley | October 24, 1995 | |
|
The kids clean up by making a fun game to do the job. | ||||||
| 35 | 17 | "Mitten Weather" | Emily Squires | Susan Kim | November 12, 1995 | |
|
Everyone is preparing for the Falling Leaf Festival. | ||||||
| 36 | 18 | "Quacky Quack" | Ted May | Jeff Kindley | September 29, 1996 | |
|
Allegra imitates one of her favorite storybook characters, a duck. | ||||||
| 37 | 19 | "Spring is Here!" | Emily Squires | Susan Kim | October 6, 1996 | |
|
It is spring and the kids go on a scavenger hunt. | ||||||
| 38 | 20 | "Play It Again, Allegra" | Ted May | Jeff Kindley | October 15, 1996 | |
|
Allegra wants to be great at the piano during her lessons. | ||||||
| 39 | 21 | "Brother for Sale" | Ted May | Story by : John Hoffman Teleplay by : Andrew Yerkes | October 21, 1996 | |
|
After arguing with Rondo, Allegra doesn't want Rondo anymore as a brother. | ||||||
| 40 | 22 | "I Made It Myself" | Franklin Melton | Jeff Kindley | October 28, 1996 | |
|
Riff and Rondo make a telephone out of a string and cups all by themselves. | ||||||
Season 3 (1996)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 1 | "Have Your Cakes" | Emily Squires | Jeff Kindley | September 8, 1996 | |
|
Grandma could be late for Allegra's birthday party. | ||||||
| 42 | 2 | "Pony, No Baloney" | Emily Squires | Paulette Licitra | September 9, 1996 | |
|
Allegra believes she saw a pony, but everyone doubts her. | ||||||
| 43 | 3 | "Bubble Trouble" | Emily Squires | Matt Callaway | September 10, 1996 | |
|
Allegra convinces Lindi that baths are fun. | ||||||
| 44 | 4 | "A Hero's Tail" | Steven Feldman | Story by : Ellen Schecter Teleplay by : Susan Kim & Ellen Schecter | September 11, 1996 | |
|
Allegra helps Riff out with an embarrassing situation. | ||||||
| 45 | 5 | "Nest Sweet Nest" | Emily Squires | Jeff Kindley | September 12, 1996 | |
|
Allegra helps a baby hummingbird after it fell out of its nest. | ||||||
| 46 | 6 | "Sticky Situation" | Emily Squires | Carin Greenberg Baker | September 15, 1996 | |
|
Allegra is stuck in her bedroom, literally! | ||||||
| 47 | 7 | "A Tangled Web" | Steven Feldman | Susan Kim | September 17, 1996 | |
|
Allegra loses her mother's sparkling ring. | ||||||
| 48 | 8 | "Fun House" | Steven Feldman | Eric Weiner | September 23, 1996 | |
|
On a rainy day, Allegra and her pals decide to make a fun house. | ||||||
| 49 | 9 | "Make It Special" | Emily Squires | Jeff Kindley | September 25, 1996 | |
|
Allegra helps clean up Rondo's old bike. | ||||||
| 50 | 10 | "Mr. Cook's Christmas" | Emily Squires | Jeff Kindley | December 8, 1996[1] | |
|
Mr. Cook celebrates Christmas and makes preparations. | ||||||
VHS releases
edit- Allegra's Window: Small Is Beautiful (Released on July 25, 1995, by Sony Wonder)
- Allegra's Window: Waiting for Grandma (Released on August 29, 1995, by Sony Wonder)
- Allegra's Window: Storytime Sing-Along (Released on March 26, 1996, by Sony Wonder)
- Allegra's Window: Allegra's Christmas (Released on October 15, 1996)
- Allegra's Window: Play Along with Allegra and Friends (Released on May 13, 1997)
- Allegra's Window: Sing Along with Allegra & Lindi (Released on April 7, 1998)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Allegra's Window - Season 3". Amazon Video. Amazon.com. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
Mr. Cook's Christmas: December 8, 1997
- ^ a b "Allegra's Window - Season 1". Amazon Video. Amazon.com. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ a b Zurawik, David (July 12, 1994). "The Muppets join new Nick Jr. lineup". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^ Titlow, John Paul (February 26, 2015). "Nickelodeon Turns Its Archives Into A Mobile Distraction For Your Kids". Fast Company. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^ Hinman, Catherine (July 10, 1994). "Nick Jr.: That's TV for Tots". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^ Ball, Ryan (November 4, 2002). "IDT Media, Cartoon Pizza Bake Up Series". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^ "Allegra's Window - Season 2". Amazon Video. Amazon.com. Retrieved February 24, 2021.