Allegra's Window


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, with reruns being shown until February 5, 1999; 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 features live actors, puppets and animation, similar to Sesame Street. The show was created by Jan Fleming, John Hoffman and Jim Jinkins, the latter of whom also created 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.
The series also spawned a series of music videos that aired during interstitials 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.

Synopsis

The 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 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

  • Allegra is the title character of the series, a 3-year-old girl. 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 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 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 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 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 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 2 years old. Poco appears in the second and third seasons of the show.
  • Reed 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 is a teacher who runs Little Blue Daycare and favors Allegra.
  • Ellington 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 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 is Allegra and Rondo's mother.
  • Clef is Allegra and Rondo's father.
  • Grandma is Allegra and Rondo's grandmother and Sonata's mother.
  • Woofer, Aria, and Tweeter are three tiny hummingbirds who live in a nest above a tree in Reed's piano garden.
  • Flugie and Vi are a tuba and a viola who hang on a wall at Reed's music shop.
  • Jingle and Jazz 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

Allegra's Window was taped at Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando at Universal Studios Florida, and was produced by Topstone Productions and Jumbo Pictures.

VHS releases

Sony Wonder

All of these titles were re-released on October 15, 1996 by Paramount Home Video.
  • Allegra's Window: Small Is Beautiful
  • Allegra's Window: Waiting for Grandma
  • ''Allegra's Window: Storytime Sing-Along''

Paramount Home Video

  • Allegra's Window: Allegra's Christmas
  • Allegra's Window: Play Along with Allegra and Friends
  • ''Allegra's Window: Sing Along with Allegra & Lindi''