John Tartaglia's Johnny and the Sprites Nabs Four Daytime Emmy Nods

Shrek star John Tartaglia recently saw his show receive eight 2009 Tony nominations, including Best Musical. Now he has another reason to celebrate: On May 14, he received four Daytime Emmy nominations for his Disney Channel show Johnny and the Sprites. The 36th annual Daytime Emmys will be broadcast live from L.A.’s Orpheum Theatre on August 30. Ugly Betty star, recording artist and Broadway diva Vanessa Williams will host.

A 2004 Tony nominee for Avenue Q, Tartaglia is the creator, star, and exec producer of Sprites, a puppet-infused song-and-dance show geared to preschool-age children. Guest stars on the show have included Legally Blonde’s Christian Borle, Avenue Q alum Ann Harada, Shrek Tony nominee Christopher Sieber, and Broadway legend Chita Rivera.

Williams also nabbed a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program as Mama in Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies.