I'm Natalie Moore. I fell in love with soap operas when I was just five years old, and I still

watch them. Their television's longest scripted series and have zero reruns. Now let me tell you,

soap operas aren't just some silly art form. They are significant. In this season of making,

Stories Without End from WBEZ Chicago.

Join me as I share how the genre began, their social impact, and why these stories endure.

Listen wherever you get your podcast.

Hi, Lynn Manuel Miranda and the Disney Animation Team.

I'm Tricia Bobita.

And I'm Greta Johnson, and this message is for you, Lynn Manuel Miranda, and the Disney Animation Studios team.

This is our official request for you to please make Moana a live action musical.

It is worth noting that the water scenes will be difficult, but I think it is entirely possible. The Little Mermaid is on Broadway.

Oh, yeah, see, there you go.

Okay, then.

Maybe it's not even a problem.

This is above the water. If they can do mermaids on stage, they can do Moana. Okay.

Let's do it. Rise up and make Moana. No. Not that one.

From WBeezy Chicago, this is Nerdette. I'm Tricia Bobita. And I'm Greta Johnson. Today we are talking with Amy Smead. She's the head of animation

for Disney's Moana, among other awesome things. And if that's not cool enough, Amy is also

the first woman to ever hold the title of Head of Animation on a Disney film.

At Nurtat, Greta and I love Moana for too many reasons to count. But here's one. Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame

wrote the music. And he sums up the story of Moana pretty well in this prologue that he did recently live at the Oscars.

Before she sings a solo, shall I set the scene. Picture a young warrior, not even 17.

...