"We can’t let them disappear" – Craig Schulz and Erik Wiese on Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical (Exclusive)

After almost forty years, the Peanuts gang returns in Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical. Directed by Erik Wiese and co-written by Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, and Cornelius Uliano, this 40-minute special focuses on summer camp and community. It will stream on Apple TV+ from August 15, 2025.

This is the first Peanuts musical in more than thirty years. Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical includes original songs by Emmy- and Broadway-nominated artists Ben Folds, Jeff Morrow, Alan Zachary, and Michael Weiner.

On August 12, 2025, Craig Schulz and Erik Wiese were interviewed by Sportskeeda team exclusively, and they talked about the making of Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical.

"We can’t let them disappear," Schulz said referring to the summer camps disappearing in the modern world.

The film uses 2D animation that keeps the classic Schulz style with small modern updates. It shows the spirit of summer camp from the first scene to the final campfire. The story is about connection, growth, and the places that shape people. Charlie Brown, Sally, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang share it in a way that feels fresh and familiar.

Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical: Why summer camp became the perfect backdrop

For Schulz, summer camp was a practical and meaningful choice. It kept the story in one main place and still gave space for music, humor, and important moments. Summer camp is also something many people know - a place to make friends, face challenges, and create memories.

“Summer camp came to be because we needed a place to have the story told, and so we got our mission across,” Schulz said. “The messaging was really the important thing to us as a writing team, that when things go away, they never come back.”

He said the camp is more than just a setting. It stands for traditions and experiences that should be kept, like the values at the heart of Peanuts.

Sally’s transformation rooted in real experiences

Sally’s journey, from feeling uneasy about the outdoors to falling in love with camp, comes from the creative team’s own childhood memories.

“I hated everything about summer camp. I slept in a dirty barn, I got stung by yellow jackets, the food wasn’t very good,” Schulz shared, adding a family twist: “My daughter went to summer camp, and she was a summer camp dropout.”

Wiese saw himself in Sally’s arc, too.

“Like Craig, I did not like camp at all. But by the end of it, I actually liked it,” he said. “I was able to hone in that part with Sally.”

How music drives the story: Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical

Music in Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical is the heart of the story. Erik Wiese shared how he worked closely with the songwriting team, planning each scene and character journey alongside the music.

“We talked about where some places there should be music, and where the music should evolve the story,” he said. “With Ben Folds, he would just come up with these lyrics that are so poetic, and it informs what we’re doing. It’s really a back-and-forth conversation.”

Schulz said one moment, in particular, made him certain about the film.

“I remember when Erik shows the scene of the campfire night with the starry background… that just absolutely sold me on the ability to make this film.”

For Wiese, that same scene is where Sally’s feelings about camp change. By the end, she understands its value — the peace of nature, time away from the city, and the experience of something new.

Snoopy also has a key role. Erik Wiese explained that his humor helps the story flow.

“Snoopy is that character that allows us to break some of the rules and to be cartoony. He disarms the audience, and then when we get back to Charlie Brown, we punch them with real emotion.”

What Charles Schulz might have loved most

When thinking about what Charles M. Schulz might have liked in the Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical, Craig said he believed it would be the project’s fresh and creative spirit.

“I think that’s when to go out and try something new. That’s what he would have embraced.”

The classic charm of the Peanuts, Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical, is set to connect with both loyal fans who have loved these characters for years and a whole new generation discovering them for the first time.

About the author

Soniya is currently working as a content specialist for the Pop section at Sportskeeda. She previously worked as an Assistant Content Manager for the Health and Fitness section.

With a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences and five years of writing experience, Soniya is driven by her passion for writing to pursue it full time. She is committed to creating content that is accurate, relevant, and ethical.

Soniya is very careful to check her facts, writes in a way that connects with her readers, and keeps a fair and private approach in her work. She excels in writing about artists, showing how their work fits into history and culture. This way, she gives readers a deeper and more interesting look at their stories.

Soniya’s favorite artists are Haruki Murakami and Sayata Murata. She likes Haruki Murakami because his books mix real life with magical stuff in a fun way. Sayaka Murata writes about normal things but in a way that makes you think differently. Both of their stories are easy to get into and stick with you long after you finish reading.

When not writing, Soniya loves to try out new art mediums to paint. The best part of her day, however, is to spend time with her orange tabby cat.

Know More

Edited by Soniya