Gary’s Rating of Sesame Street The Musical: 4.7/5
Main Cast: Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Rosita, Oscar the Grouch, Count Von Count, Bert, Ernie, Grover, Gabrielle, Honk, and surprise guests
Running Dates: Previews from Sept. 8, 2022; Opening date Sept. 22, 2022; Closing date Nov. 27, 2022.
Theater Location: Theater Row, 410 W. 42 St, Manhattan, New York
Running Time: Around 60 minutes without intermissions
Tickets: From $39. Get your tickets here.
Gary’s Rating Score
I’m incredibly excited to see “Sesame Street: The Musical” and offer an honest rating score. However, I will admit that my expectations are high. We don’t have the preview yet, but I predict it will be an absolute hit. Therefore, I am confident it will be at least a 4.7/5 rating.
The “Sesame Street” TV show has been on air since 1969 and is still going strong. Furthermore, the musical is produced by Rockefeller Productions, an established entertainment company that focuses on giving new life to existing brands.
Nevertheless, putting up a Sesame Street production while retaining the show’s core is no small feat. I am happy the production includes new musical numbers, and I know it will justify my rating score.
What Is Sesame Street: The Musical About?
This off-Broadway stage production of the famous TV show is all about celebrating Sesame Street. The show includes all the well-known songs from the show’s long history, plus brand new material.
Also, the new songs are written by Tom Kitt, Nate Edmondson, and Helen Park, all seasoned Broadway composers. The in-person experience of the long-time running franchise focuses on all the hit topics like friendship, learning, sharing, and having fun.
So, the musical will also include guests to keep the tradition alive. However, the exact plot line of the musical is still unfamiliar.
How Complex Is the Show?
Because this is Sesame Street, it’s fair to assume the show will not be complex or hard to follow. Anyone can attend the show, even 3-year-old children.
Also, the musical includes existing and popular Sesame Street songs, so it likely won’t be difficult to follow along.
Sesame Street does a brilliant job covering topics close to everyone’s hearts. The goal is to make them easy to understand and accessible to a wide audience.
Set Design and Style
“Sesame Street: The Musical” is an off-Broadway show set on a smaller, more intimate stage. Creating a functional and beautiful set can be challenging when working with small spaces.
However, this is Sesame Street we’re talking about, and it’s all about props. No one knows yet, what the stage design will look like, but it’s fair to make several assumptions.
We can expect to see 123 Sesame Street, Oscar the Grouch in his trash can, lots of colors, and great lighting.
Similar Shows
Once you get your “Sesame Street: The Musical” tickets and see the show, you can also check out a couple of similar ones. For example, Winnie the Pooh fans can check out “Winnie the Pooh: The New Stage Musical Adaptation.”
The play also goes on a national tour, bringing the beloved characters to many U.S. cities. Another fantastic show is “Paddington Gets in a Jam,” a comedy about Paddington’s visit to the neighbor for a cup of sugar.
Naturally, a simple task turns into much more as things don’t go as planned. If you want to check out similar TV shows, you can always watch “The Muppets” movie or stream the old episodes of “The Muppet Show” on Disney+.
A Review of the Reviews
I can’t discuss the reviews yet because “Sesame Street: The Musical” hasn’t officially opened. However, I can try to predict the success of the show.
First and foremost, Sesame Street is about nostalgia, a popular theme these days. If the reviewer grew up watching the beloved “Sesame Street” TV show, they might find it difficult to find flaws in the performance.
But I also have to assume that reviewers are objective, for the most part. So, they can remove their feelings and assess production quality fairly.
Furthermore, reviewers who didn’t watch “Sesame Street” at any point in their lives might offer the most exciting insight.
Characters and a Little About Them
“Sesame Street” has been a part of many childhoods during its long run on TV. Therefore, the characters are likely familiar to many.
However, I want to include a reminder not only for all of us who love the characters, but also for those who have yet to enjoy them.
| Elmo | Friendly, easy-going, and curious are all words that best describe Elmo. He is a 3.5-year-old red monster with a unique and recognizable voice and catchy enthusiasm. |
| Cookie Monster | He is one of the most beloved monsters on Sesame Street. Cookies are his favorite food, and he can’t get enough of them. |
| Abby Cadabby | She’s playful and fun, and her mom is the Fairy Godmother. Abby wants to be a fairy herself and finds magic in simplicity. |
| Rosita | This monster is bilingual, as she speaks both English and Spanish. Rosita is optimistic, compassionate, and loves hugs. |
| Oscar the Grouch | Rainbows, dancing, and singing are not allowed in Oscar the Grouch’s presence. When he’s grouchy, which is all the time, he’s the happiest. |
| Count Von Count | He’s not Count Dracula. Or is he? Count Von Count loves math and playing the organ. Also, he’s super friendly and outgoing. |
| Bert | You can find Bert in the basement apartment of 123 Sesame Street. His unibrow and hairdo are unique, but so are his hobbies. |
| Ernie | It’s impossible to talk about Bert without Ernie, his roommate and best friend. He loves taking baths and playing with his Rubber Duckie. |
| Grover | The best way to describe Grover is “a monster that never gives up.” He’s silly, fun, and loves making his friends laugh. |
| Gabrielle | She is 6 3/4 years old, and loves nature walks with her friends. Gabrielle adores animals, singing, reading, and cooking. |
About the Theater
You can catch “Sesame Street: The Musical” at Theater Row, a multi-theater complex in the Theater District. Theater Row has been serving the community for over 40 years and has around 125,000 patrons per year.
Apart from the six theaters on Theater Row, patrons can access the lounge spaces to wait for the show to start.
Also, all theaters in the complex are relatively intimate, with the largest hosting 199 patrons and the smallest, 55. Regardless of where “Sesame Street: The Musical” takes place, you can expect a cozy atmosphere. All six theaters are accessible to people who use wheelchairs.
The same applies to restrooms and elevators, which are accessible on all floors. Additionally, people with impaired hearing can request listening devices. It’s also important to point out that Theater Row doesn’t have a designated parking space.
Get Your Tickets
The tickets for “Sesame Street: The Musical” have been available since June 29 at $39. You can catch the show on Thursdays through Sundays.
However, keep in mind that there are three shows per day on the weekends and only one per day on Thursdays and Fridays.
Because the musical will take place in a smaller, off-Broadway theater, it’s best to grab your tickets early, which you can do right here.
Consider taking the child in your life to the show or an adult that still gets excited about famous Sesame Street numbers. The musical will be available for only a few months, so don’t miss out on this amazing chance.
