The famous children’s television show Sesame Street turns 40 in 2009. It first aired on November 10, 1969, as an entertaining show for kids full of music, dance, and education. Many people remember Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, Grover, Kermit, and The Count.
Those were the days! And yet today, Sesame Street is still going strong with even new Muppet characters to entertain children. It has an audience of 8 million viewers in 120 countries.
The Sesame Street theme song has children stop in their tracks and run to the television to sing the lyrics:
Sunny day - Sweepin' the clouds away,
On my way to where the air is sweet.
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street.
Along with the regular gang, many celebrities visit the street each year. Sarah Jessica Parker visited to discuss the art of signing. Then came Laura Bush to read a story. And of course, who can forget Robin Williams with his episode on the wonders of feet? The most recent applause for Sesame Street is an address by President Barrack Obama who feels Sesame Street teaches values to children over the last four decades.
Make time to read some of the Sesame Street books, pop in a DVD, or tune into one of the newer shows. And for déjà vu, there are books and a DVD to mark the 40th anniversary, full of the history of the show, memorable clips and songs.
- Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street by Michael Davis [Viking]
- Sesame Street: A Celebration of Forty Years of Life on the Street by Louise Gikow [Black Dog & Leventhal] Coming this fall.
- A Sesame Street 40th Anniversary DVD. Coming in November 2009
The Sesame Street Characters
There are newer Muppets that joined the group throughout the years. One very popular fellow is Elmo, a cheerful red monster with a cute, giggly laugh. Then there’s Elmo’s young three-year-old friend Zoe who loves to dance ballet.
Talk to bilingual Rosita, a playful little girl who loves to teach Spanish words to kids. Now there is Abby Cadabby, a fairy in training who is all pink and sparkly. These are just a handful of Muppets and to view more and learn about their characteristics, visit the official Sesame Street website that contains information about the Muppets, online games, videos, parent information and much more.
Shows Touring the Country
1 – 2 – 3 Imagine! With Elmo & Friends is a high energy musical that lets the audience feel like they are visiting far away places. Elmo is the captain of the ship that takes him to the African rainforest where he dances to rhythmic music. Bert meets up with an octopus that has the blues. This musical teaches children that the power of imagination lets them become anything, go anywhere and just have fun.
Elmo’s’ Green Thumb is about his friend Sunny who is a sunflower. Elmo raised his sunflower from a seed and nurtured it. Elmo was watching his flower grow, however, Abby Cadabby (Sesame Street’s fairy) casts a spell to make the sunflower grow, but a complication makes Elmo and all his friends shrink.
While Abby Cadabby tries to find the words to reverse the spell, Elmo and his friends visit a garden from a smaller perspective to see how each creature of the ecosystem plays a part in gardening and growth. They visit the dancing ladybugs, grouchy beetles, and fluttering butterflies. The audience will enjoy this whole new adventure and new songs as “Ladybug Picnic”, “Inch by Inch” and “I Love Trash.”
When Elmo Grows Up is a musical show introducing Elmo’s newest friends, Zoe, Rosita along with some of the old favorites. The concept of this show is “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Here is a show where the audience can pretend to be whatever they want to be and realize that with perseverance that all dreams can come true. Enjoy favorite songs like “Home on the Range”, “Down on the Corner” and “Give a Little Love.”
For more information and tour dates visit this website
Make sure to watch the special anniversary premiere episode on November 10, 2009 when Sesame Street turns 40, which marks a milestone and a continuation of this remarkable show for children. And always keep humming the tune to the Sesame Street theme song - it's nostalgic and fun!
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