What do The Lorax, teenage Jesus, and those despicable, yellow minions all have in common?

The answer is that they are the creations of Emmy-winning writer, songwriter, and Latter-day Saint Cinco Paul. The creative force behind some of the most beloved films of the last two decades is bringing his musical genius to the Center Virtual Festival for an exclusive, can't-miss interview.

*“Sometimes, dreams do come true.” Cinco Paul on the Kennedy Theater set of Schmigadoon! from* *Instagram*.

You might already be familiar with the on-screen work of Cinco— he’s the mind behind some of the most successful animated films of the last two decades: Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets, and the Dr. Seuss-inspired The Lorax and Horton Hears A Who.

But what you might not know is that, at heart, Cinco is a lifelong lover of musicals. That passion took center stage—literally—when he created Schmigadoon!, the star-studded Apple TV+ series that is a pitch-perfect love letter to classic Broadway musicals with a modern, comedic twist. The show went on to win an Emmy for its original music and, most recently, made the leap from screen to stage with a sold-out run at the Kennedy Center. The writer has produced other stage productions, including Sweet Jesus, that follows adolescent-aged Mary Magdalene through miracles, pitfalls, and a budding crush on the carpenter’s son next door in Nazareth.

At this year’s Virtual Festival, Cinco will be interviewed by McKay Coppins, The Atlantic journalist and author known for his incisive reporting on politics, faith, and culture as a member of the Church. If you've followed McKay's career (whether through his biography of Mitt Romney or his acclaimed reporting), you already know this conversation will be rich, insightful, and full of moments to make you stop and think. Discover how the themes of Schmigadoon!—its playful take on nostalgia, its reverence for storytelling, and its underlying sincerity—connect with broader cultural currents.

*“My kids are never more impressed with me than when they see my book at @BardsAlley, our local bookstore.” McKay Coppins with his book, “Romney: A Reckoning” on* X in 2024.

Together, they’ll pull back the curtain on Schmigadoon! with a behind-the-scenes look at the hit show and a deep dive into the creative mind of one of Hollywood’s most successful storytellers. Cinco will share stories about the show’s unexpected journey from streaming series to stage production, the creative challenges of bringing the project to life, and the surprising ways his background shaped Schmigadoon!’s sharp but affectionate humor, alongside two other original musicals.

And what’s an interview about a musical without a little music? Cinco will take a seat at the piano to perform some beloved songs (have you seen him play "With All of Your Heart"?) and might even bring along some special invited guests to perform with him.

Even if you’ve never had corn pudding, this conversation will be a rare treat. It’s not every day you get to hear an Emmy-winning and Grammy Awards-nominated artist break down his creative career with a first-rate journalist over a shared faith.

The conversation starts at the Center Virtual Festival—will you be there?

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