Your favorite street gang is heading for the stage! Per Variety, Sesame Workshop is teaming up with Rockefeller Productions to bring us Sesame Street: The Musical. The production will be an Off-Broadway stage show that brings all our favorite neighbors to live audiences.
Sesame Street: The Musical is set to be produced by Jonathan Rockefeller and will feature both classic songs from the hit children’s show, as well as brand-new songs! The show is confirmed to feature Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Grover, Rosita, Bert, Ernie, and of course Oscar the Grouch. The show will also feature other characters such as The Count, Gabrielle, and “a host of Honkers, Martians, and other favorites” according to Deadline. All of the characters will be presented as live puppets and will be playing alongside special guest performers that are yet to be announced. Johnathan Rockefeller shared his excitement for the show with Variety.
“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. We believe it will be a production for children and fans of ALL ages to embrace and enjoy.”
Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?
Sesame Street is a show that needs no introductions. The show made its debut on networks in 1969 with an aim to capture the attention and minds of young inner-city children that were struggling to prepare for school. The show was considered groundbreaking for its time for bringing audiences out of the more white populated suburban neighborhoods and into the inner city streets that were populated with people of different racial backgrounds. More than fifty years later and it’s still going as strong as ever, the show is currently on its 53rd season. Since its debut, the show has won 11 Grammys, 214 Emmys, and has gone down in history as one of the most beloved children’s shows. Jennifer Ahearn, who is Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Themed Entertainment, elaborates on what the show can bring to families in a post-COVID world.
“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. 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 no stranger to live puppets. Their previous show credits include Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation, Paddington Gets in a Jam, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show. A preview of Winnie the Pooh can be viewed below, which gives a close-up to the impressive puppetry.
Sesame Street: The Musical will start previews on September 8th, 2022 and is aiming for a September 22nd opening night. The production will be held at Theater Row, 410 West 42nd Street though November 27th, 2022. More credits, such as creative staff, celebrity guests, and others are yet to be announced. Are you ready to see your old friends on stage?