Arlo The Alligator Boy is a story about acceptance and celebrating differences, Not only in its message but also in its cast and that is pretty amazing. I had the chance to interview Michael J. Woodard (“Arlo,” former contestant on Season 16 of American Idol), Mary Lambert (“Bertie,” Grammy-nominated for her collaboration on “Same Love” with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis), and Ryan Crego (director & EP, story artist on Puss in Boots, Kung Fu Panda 2 and more) about Arlo The Alligator Boy.
The Story
“A big part of the theme of the movie, and the value of it is to see these characters who are so different really hold each other up and lift each other up when the odds are against them. When they’re feeling down. Arlo goes out into the world with all this bright eyed optimism, but it’s not easy. What he thinks he’s going to achieve, he has a hard time achieving, and I don’t want to ruin the movie, but almost doesn’t achieve it. He really needs this group of people to support him and to aid him. They all come from their own unique places, but they are a family. I think that this messaging is very important in the world right now. It’s something that I’m super proud of.” – Ryan Crego
“What’s exciting about it is that it’s such a beautiful narrative. No matter what story it is, the fact that it’s animated, and it’s targeted toward kids. Show kids that it’s really okay to be your most authentic, brave self. That’s powerful. That’s cool. If you’re a fish wearing a speedo, that’s okay. The message of authenticity and the message of being yourself is so powerful. One thing that really stood out for me in the script was that there wasn’t a single fat joke about Bertie.” – Mary Lambert
Fun Fact: Ryan does some voices in the film, and the series — including a group of sailors!
The characters
“They all come from their own unique places, but they are a family. I think that this messaging is very important in the world right now. It’s something that I’m super proud of.” – Ryan Crego
“I think there’s a character for everyone in this movie. Everyone has this distinctive quality that somebody will be able to identify with, whether it’s Bertie, or whether it’s Arlo, or Felicia, or even teeny tiny Tony. It’s funny because they’re all on the same journey. Like physically, they’re heading towards the same place, but in their lives [too]. Every journey is so unique and specific and special. The diversity is a beautiful thing to see. I think that’s something that everybody will be able to relate with everyone is so different…” – Michael J. Woodard
Fun Fact: Michael got the role of Arlo after Ryan saw the clip of him getting his golden ticket on American Idol.
The Music
“You can’t make a show, especially with these two, without doing music. It is that sort of the heart and love of the movie, and I wanted to make sure that when we got into that series, that we could carry that with us.” – Ryan Crego
“I’m just so excited for people to hear the music, I feel really lucky to have had the career that I have, but one of my favorite things during shows is having little kids come up to me and sing my songs. I just think it’s the cutest thing in the world…” – Mary Lambert
Arlo the Alligator Boy is NOW streaming on Netflix!
About Arlo the Alligator Boy
Upon learning that he is from New York City, Arlo, a wide-eyed boy who is half human and half alligator, decides to leave his sheltered life in the swamp and search for his long-lost father. The animated musical movie, Arlo the Alligator Boy, will launch Arlo’s journey as he meets a group of misfits who quickly become his new family. Once Arlo’s adventure lands him in New York City, the series, I ❤️️ Arlo, will kick-off as he and his newfound crew set up shop in an abandoned seaside neighborhood and help bring it back to life. Featuring original music including the Follow Me Home!
