Alma's Way is an animated children's television series from Fred Rogers Productions created and executive produced by former Sesame Street actress Sonia Manzano and animated by Canadian animation studio Pipeline Studios. The series premiered on PBS Kids on October 4, 2021.
| Alma's Way | |
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| Genre | Animation Adventure Fantasy |
| Created by | Sonia Manzano |
| Directed by | Dave Barton Thomas Shawn Seles |
| Voices of |
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| Theme music composer |
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| Opening theme | "It's Alma's Way!", performed by Flaco Navaja and Summer Rose Castillo |
| Ending theme | "It's Alma's Way!" (instrumental) |
| Composers |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original languages |
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| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 48 (94 segments + 1 special) (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Production companies | Fred Rogers Productions, PBS Kids |
| Original release | |
| Network | PBS Kids |
| Release | October 4, 2021 – present |
The show is set in The Bronx, New York and revolves around Alma Rivera, a 6-year-old Puerto Rican girl, as she ventures out into her Latino neighborhood to demonstrate decision making and social awareness skills.[1][2][3] The title's meaning refers to Alma's ability of thinking things through, to help her solve problems within each episode. On August 2, 2022, it was announced the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on September 18, 2023.[4] The second season introduced a new female character named Yolette, new voice actors for Eddie and André, and a new live-action, post-episode segment called My Way.
Premise
editThe series follows Alma Rivera, a 6-year-old girl who lives in the Bronx with her family and friends. She faces lots of problems every day, and always stops, listens, looks, thinks, and explains to help her solve everyday problems.
Characters
editThe Rivera family
edit- Alma Rivera (voiced by Summer Rose Castillo) is a curious 6-year-old girl who likes solving problems. Her favorite baseball team is the Sweat Sox. In the episode, "Alma Goes to Puerto Rico", it was stated that she's named after her great-grandmother.
- Ruben "Junior" Rivera (voiced by Neo Vela) is Alma's 5-year-old younger brother who loves dinosaurs and dancing. His favorite singer is Elyssa B, and his favorite baseball team is the City Seagulls. It was stated by Lulu in the episode, "Alma Goes to Puerto Rico", Junior is named after Ruben but goes by Junior as a nickname but is actually Ruben Rivera Jr.
- Lulú "Mami" Rivera (voiced by Annie Henk) is Alma and Junior's mother, and Ruben's wife. She is a musician and music teacher. She is a great cook, but isn't good at making mofongo. Her favorite singer is Elyssa B.
- Ruben "Papi" Rivera (voiced by Jesús E. Martinez) is Alma and Junior's father, and Lulú's husband. He's a veterinarian, and hosts his own show called Ruben to the Rescue. His favorite baseball team is the City Seagulls.
- Gustavo "Abuelo" Rivera (voiced by Danny Bolero) is Lulú and Gloria's father, and Alma, Junior and Eddie's maternal grandfather.
Supporting
edit- Eddie Mambo (voiced by Jacob Crespo in Season 1 and Adrian Marrero in Season 2) is Alma's next-door neighbor and cousin. He is a gifted musician who plays drums, guitar, and horn. He wears leg braces and uses crutches due to cerebral palsy.
- Uncle Nestor (voiced by Marco Antonio Rodriguez) is Alma's uncle and Eddie's father. He is a playwright and musical director of a Bomba ensemble.
- Tía Gloria (voiced by Sharon Montero) is Alma's aunt and Eddie's mother. She is a New York City Transit Authority Train Conductor.
- André King (voiced by Niason DaCosta in Season 1 and Ja'Siah Young in Season 2) is Alma's friend. He is great at drawing and sketching. His mother is Nea and his father is James.
- Rafia Huda (voiced by Naysa Nishash Shokeen) is Alma and André's Bangladeshi friend. She loves to play sports.
- Lucas Reed (voiced by Julian Lerner in Season 1 and Declan Fennell in Season 2, Episode 9 - Current) is Alma, André and Rafia's friend. He is a gifted singer.
- Becka (voiced by Emily Isabel) is a Jewish-American keyboard player.
- Safina Huda (voiced by Jenna Qureshi) is Rafia's older sister. She volunteers at Ruben's pet clinic.
- Harper (voiced by Uschi Umscheid) is Alma's friend, an only child whose father away serving in the military.
- Owen Reed (voiced by Andy Talen) is Lucas's father.
- Anik Huda (voiced by Ratnesh Dubey) is Rafia and Safina's father. He owns a small grocery store.
- Nea Omema King (voiced by Justine J. Hall) is André's mother. She owns a bookstore. Alma introduces her as Mrs. Omema in the episode, "Alma's Masterpiece". She doesn't go by Mrs. King.
- James King (voiced by James Monroe Iglehart) is André's father. He is a cook and likes experimenting with different kinds of foods.
- Frankie Four Feet (voiced by Victor Cruz) is the owner of the Bronx Community Center.
- Granny Isa (voiced by Sonia Manzano) is Alma's maternal grandmother who travels the world.
- Howard (voiced by Dwight H. Clarke in Season 1, Episode 15b - Season 2, Episode 7a, Chance Smith in Season 2, Episode 8 - Season 2, Episode 9a, and Dwayne H. Clarke in Season 2, Episode 10b - Current) is Alma, Junior, Lucas, Rafia, Eddie, André, and Harper's friend. He loves playing water tag.
- Yolette (voiced by Khloe Bruno) is Alma, Junior, and André's friend.
Episodes
editInterstitial shorts
editJelly, Ben & Pogo
editStarting from the show's premiere, television airings are followed up by Jelly, Ben & Pogo, which are shorts that focus on Filipino culture.[5]
- Jelly (voiced by Vanille Velasquez) is an optimistic 6-year-old Filipino-American girl. She seems to role as the leader of the group.
- Ben (voiced by the creator Jalysa Leva) is Jelly's 5-year-old little brother who serves as the smallest and youngest of the trio.
- Pogo (voiced by Christina Sivrich) is the kids' green quadrupedal Ogopogo-like sea monster friend.
Other shorts
editOn November 1, 2022, it was replaced by Molly of Denali: The Big Gathering, which are shorts based on Molly of Denali. On December 26, 2022, television airings are also followed up by City Island, a series of shorts centered on civics that follows a group of sentient object characters.[6]
Reception
editAdiba Nelson of The Washington Post wrote, "Afro-Latino children finally have characters they can relate to."[7]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Imagen Awards | Best Voice-Over Actor (Television) | Summer Rose Castillo | Won | [8] |
| Best Youth Programming | Alma's Way | Won | |||
| 2023 | Alma's Way | Won | [9] |
References
edit- ^ Del Rosario, Alexandria (December 3, 2020). "'Alma's Way': PBS Kids Announces New Animated Series From Sonia Manzano & Fred Rogers Productions". Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ Graeber, Laurel (October 4, 2021). "In 'Alma's Way,' a Young Latina Thinks for Herself, Like Her Creator". The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ^ Zorrilla, Monica Marie (October 6, 2021). "'Sesame Street' Alum Sonia Manzano on Animating the Bronx and Latina Representation in 'Alma's Way'". Variety. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ "Fred Rogers' Hit 'Alma's Way' Greenlit for S2 on PBS KIDS". August 2, 2022.
- ^ Ong, Giannina (February 21, 2022). "Pinoys Are Loving "Jelly, Ben & Pogo," A New Animated Series for Kids". Mochi Magazine. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Eakin, Marah (January 27, 2023). "PBS' "City Island" teaches civics with short-form cartoons". Current. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Nelson, Adiba (October 5, 2021). "With 'Alma's Way' on PBS Kids, Afro-Latino children finally have characters they can relate to". The Washington Post.
- ^ Reul, Katie (October 3, 2022). "'Encanto' Co-Director Shocked by Best Director Win Over Steven Spielberg at 2022 Imagen Awards: 'That's Serious Bragging Rights'". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ Tinoco, Armando (December 4, 2023). "Imagen Awards 2023 Complete Winners List: Eva Longoria & 'Flamin' Hot' Take Top Honors In Film". Deadline. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
