By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
We finally have an answer to the question, how do you get to Sesame Street? Turns out, it’s just off Broadway!
Rights holder Sesame Workshop is working with Rockefeller Productions on Sesame Street: The Musical, with an opening night premiere on Sept. 22 at Theater Row on West 42nd Street.
Sesame Street’s beloved furry friends will appear in their original puppet form in the off-Broadway show, with previews starting Sept. 8.
Sesame Street’s very own Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Grover, Rosita, Bert, Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, The Count, Gabrielle, and a host of Honkers, Martians, and other favorites will appear onstage.
Special guest stars from Broadway and beyond will join the gang, with the show featuring Sesame Street’s classic songs, plus new numbers created especially for this production by Broadway’s brightest composers and songwriters.
The show is directed and produced by Jonathan Rockefeller.
“We are so honored and proud to partner with Sesame Workshop to bring Sesame Street’s first original Off-Broadway musical, along with its iconic characters, to the stage,” says producer and creator Rockefeller. “We believe it will be a production for children and fans of all ages to embrace and enjoy.”
Sesame Street first aired in 1969 and is now in its 53rd season in the US, meaning some of its early fans are now approaching retirement age!
It is seen in 150 countries and continues to expand globally with content production and distribution, consumer products, English learning and formal education, and themed entertainment.
Sesame Street has won 11 Grammys and 214 Emmys – more than any other children’s show.
“As the world begins to open up, families and fans are looking forward to live, high-quality, in-person experiences with their favorite brands, and Sesame Workshop is answering the call with the expansion of our themed entertainment offerings,” said Jennifer Ahearn, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Themed Entertainment. “With its critically-acclaimed productions and keen eye for presenting beloved stories, we’re thrilled to collaborate with Rockefeller Productions on a stage show that will have the young and young-at-heart singing, dancing, and celebrating with their Sesame Street friends.”
Rockefeller Productions is uniquely qualified for the Sesame Street production, having previously produced several successful live shows based on children’s content. Productions currently taking place in New York and around the world include Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation, Paddington Gets in a Jam, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.
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