Story Pirates Podcast Episode Summary: "Butts/The Audition" (feat. John Legend and F. Michael Haynie)

Release Date: December 5, 2024
Hosts: Lee Overtree and the Story Pirates Team
Special Guests: John Legend and F. Michael Haney
Featured Performers: Eric Austin, Ben Blackman, Greg Barnett, Janine Hogan, Peter McNerney, Megan O'Neill, Lee Overtree, Nimini Ware, and Rachel Winitsky

Introduction and Special Guests

The episode opens with host Lee Overtree introducing two remarkable guests:

• John Legend, celebrating his new children's album, "My Favorite Dream".
• F. Michael Haney, a Broadway star, who promises an unforgettable new song.

Lee Overtree [00:01]:
"Today's episode is really special because we have not one, but two incredible special guests."

Chores Gone Awry: Launching the Adventure

The Story Pirates begin their day with the dreaded chore wheel, assigning humorous and unconventional chores to each member:

• Rachel: Swabbing the deck.
• Megan: Braiding Peter's beard.
• Peter: Waxing and polishing the chore wheel.
• Eric: Complimenting the chef.
• Nimini: Praising the vegetables in the garden.
• Lee: Tying ropes to keep a "tight ship."

Peter [00:45]:
"I don't get it."

As Lee emphasizes the importance of chores, an unexpected distraction emerges—a gigantic tidal wave that threatens their ship.

The Arrival of Professor Hugo Manatee

Amidst the chaos, a peculiar manatee named Professor Hugo St Pierre von Hugo Archibald Manatee III, or simply Hugh Manatee, appears. He introduces himself as a "music manatee" with a mission to transform the Story Pirates into a marching band.

Professor Manatee [05:30]:
"I've been everywhere from the Chesapeake Bay to the Delaware River."

Despite initial skepticism, the Story Pirates are captivated by his musical enthusiasm, leading to the dissolution of the chore wheel and the commencement of musical training.

The "Butts" Musical Number

Transitioning from chores to creativity, the episode features a whimsical song titled "Butts", performed by F. Michael Haney. Written by 7-year-old Malky from Pennsylvania, the song humorously explores butts wanting to live in Hong Kong.

Malky [15:10]:
"Butts are everywhere, butts are nowhere. Butts want to live in Hong Kong."

The performance is lively, incorporating sketch comedy and catchy tunes, true to the Story Pirates' signature style.

Music Manatee and the Marching Band Plot

Professor Manatee inspires the Story Pirates to embrace music, urging them to see their instruments as extensions of themselves. He assigns poetic motivations to each Pirate:

Professor Manatee [22:45]:
"Eric, think of the drums as a heartbeat. It should be an extension of who you are and what you want to say."

Under his guidance, the Pirates attempt to form a marching band, but suspicions arise when a flyer warns them that Professor Manatee is a con artist.

The Confession: Professor Manatee Revealed

Doubts escalate as another flyer surfaces, revealing that Professor Manatee might not be genuine. Confronted by Lee, the manatee confesses his insecurities:

Professor Manatee [30:20]:
"I can't sing or dance or play instruments because I'm shy."

This heartfelt revelation shifts the dynamic, fostering empathy among the Pirates. They forgive him and rally together to overcome the ensuing crisis—a ship stuck in the "great Pacific sticky patch."

Resolving the Crisis Through Music

To free the ship, the Pirates and Professor Manatee collaborate, using their newly formed musical talents to rock the boat:

Lee [42:15]:
"Our lives have been transformed through the power of music and song."

With one final musical effort and overcoming their shyness, they successfully unstick the ship, reinforcing the episode's theme of teamwork and the transformative power of creativity.

Transition to "The Audition" Story

The episode seamlessly shifts to its second primary story, "The Audition", introduced by author Nora, a 10-year-old from Massachusetts. Nora shares insights from her story about the highs and lows of auditioning for a Broadway musical.

"The Audition" Story and Author Interview

Tom G., a character in Nora's story, navigates the challenges of securing funding for "Doggies the Musical" amidst fierce competition. The narrative highlights perseverance, creativity, and the importance of believing in oneself.

Author Interview Highlights:

Lee Overtree:
"Nora, your story is amazing."

Nora [52:45]:
"An audition is basically when you get to sing, like, a little bit of a song and you get to try out for parts in the show that you want."

Nora emphasizes the lessons theater imparts on collaboration and understanding, reinforcing the Podcast's mission to inspire creativity through storytelling.

Roll Call: Celebrating Young Storytellers

The episode features three imaginative stories submitted by young listeners:

1. Isla's "Strange Green Snow" [62:30]:
   Green snow as a manifestation of tiny alien monsters that can consume and regurgitate houses.

2. George's "Ghost Pepper" [66:10]:
   The supernatural ability of ghost peppers to transform ghosts back into humans, despite their extreme spiciness.

3. Julia's "Chicken Cow" [69:50]:
   A brief yet charming tale of a cow who identifies as a chicken cow, demonstrating creative self-expression.

Notable Quotes:

Isla [62:45]:
"Green snow might just be a whole bunch of little green aliens that clump together and look like snow."

George [66:25]:
"A ghost pepper can actually save a ghost and turn them back into a human."

Julia [69:55]:
"Hi, my name is Cow, but I am a chicken cow."

Encouraging Listener Participation

Listeners are invited to submit their own stories, with the encouragement to use everyday images as inspiration, fostering a vibrant and interactive community.

Lee Overtree [72:10]:
"Take a picture of something normal in every day and then make up a story of what could be happening in that picture."

Conclusion and Acknowledgments

The episode wraps up with gratitude towards the authors—Malky and Nora—and a reminder to submit stories via storypirates.com. Production credits are given to the talented team behind the scenes, ensuring the Episode's seamless delivery.

Lee Overtree [80:00]:
"Thank you for listening and a big thanks to today's authors, Malky and Nora. We'll be back next week with another episode."

Key Takeaways

• Creativity and Teamwork: The Pirates' journey emphasizes the importance of working together and embracing each member's unique talents.
• Overcoming Insecurities: Professor Manatee's confession highlights vulnerability and the courage to seek acceptance.
• Empowering Young Storytellers: Through Roll Call and story submissions, the Podcast nurtures young minds to express themselves creatively.
• The Transformative Power of Music and Storytelling: Both main stories illustrate how music and narrative can resolve conflicts and inspire change.

This episode of Story Pirates masterfully blends humor, heartfelt moments, and creative storytelling, enriched by performances from renowned guests John Legend and F. Michael Haney. Whether navigating chores or auditions, the Pirates' adventures offer valuable lessons wrapped in entertaining sketches and songs.