"Somebody Come and Play": 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder Opens at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts September 18, 2014

September 5, 2014 -- When Sesame Street debuted in 1969, its combination of research and entertainment revolutionized children's television. Today, Sesame Street is a pop culture icon and still teaching literacy and numeracy, emotional and physical well-being, and respect and understanding to children around the world. As Sesame Street begins its 45th season, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and Sesame Workshop invite fans of all ages to take a closer look at the show's legacy, artistry, and beloved characters at the new free multimedia exhibition "Somebody Come and Play": 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder. The exhibition will be on display in The Library for the Performing Arts' Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery from September 18, 2014 through January 31, 2015.  

"Somebody Come and Play" features more than 250 items, including more than 20 Muppets, on display from the Library and Sesame Workshop's collections. Blueprints and set designs show how New York City inspired the show's iconic set, while original sketches (many on display for the first time) of characters such as Elmo show how Muppets are designed, built, and brought to life. The center section of the exhibition is dedicated to the many creative talents that contribute to Sesame Street - composers, animators, writers, actors, directors, producers, puppeteers, and designers - and details how the show establishes a curriculum and ensures that each segment is educational. Animation cels, storyboards, and claymation models demonstrate the process of producing the animated segments that have been a staple of the show since it debuted. Visitors will also learn how Sesame Street's mission to reach and teach goes far beyond the television through outreach efforts and international co-productions. The exhibition gives visitors a chance to learn about Sesame Street's past, present, and future, and understand the show's creative process. 

Young Sesame Street fans will enjoy artifacts and materials positioned at lower heights, as well as an interactive area for children within the exhibition, featuring Sesame Street books, apps, and activities. The Library for the Performing Arts will also open early on select Wednesdays throughout the duration of the exhibition for special children's storytelling events led by retired NYPL children's librarians. Additionally, select NYPL branches will offer a variety of read-aloud, crafting, and film screening programs utilizing Sesame Street's "Every Day is a Reading and Writing Day" literacy curriculum. 

"One of the many reasons why Sesame Street is so special is that it showed the world that the performing arts and television itself could be powerful educational tools," said Jacqueline Z. Davis, Barbara G. and Lawrence A. Fleischman Executive Director of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. "Furthermore, the show helped to educate generations of children, and, for many, it serves as their first exposure to the performing arts. The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is delighted to celebrate this groundbreaking TV show, and the talented performers, writers, artists, and musicians that have worked on it over the last 45 years."

Features and highlights of "Somebody Come and Play" include:

• More than 20 furry friends on display, including Elmo, Oscar, Bert, Ernie, Snuffy, Super Grover, Zoe, The Count, Hoots the Owl, and other Muppets 
• Muppets from Sesame Tree, Northern Ireland's Sesame Street co-production 
• Replicas of the Sesame Street lamppost and 123 Sesame Street brownstone stoop 
• Iconic props and costumes used on the show, including Ernie's rubber duckie, Bert and Ernie's pajamas, Grover's bellhop uniform, and Alistair Cookie's dressing gown
• Special area for children to enjoy Sesame Street books, apps, and activities
• Photo booth where visitors can pose next to Honkers
• Original sketches of Elmo on display for the first time, as well as style guides, on-set photography, and blueprints showing the craft and artistry required for making and performing the Muppets
• Maurice Sendak's original Children's Television Workshop logo designs, and samples of Sendak's other work on the show
• Animation cels from "The Alligator King" and other animated segments
• Videos showing celebrity appearances and musical parodies over the years
• Video of the making of a parody segment that will air during Sesame Street's new 45th season
• Lead sheets and orchestrations for classic songs such as "C is for Cookie" and "I Love Trash" 
• Drafts and edited scripts, and art director storyboards tracing segments from conception through filming

The Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center will offer the following public programs for children and adults in conjunction with "Somebody Come and Play": 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder. 

"Somebody Come and Play" Public Programs at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

All programs listed below take place at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts located at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza. Programs are free and open to the public, but advance registration may be required. Please note that not all programs are designed for children and families. Visit nypl.org/sesamestreet for more details. 

Select Wednesdays @ 11am

Storytelling for Kids

On select Wednesdays between September and January, The Library for the Performing Arts will open early to welcome toddlers for storytelling the Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery. These programs will be led by retired NYPL children's librarians.

Friday, September 19 @ 6:30pm [SOLD OUT]

Muppet Master Class with Martin P. Robinson

Find out how puppets are constructed and learn the basic techniques that bring characters to life in an interactive class led by Martin P. Robinson, the performer behind the beloved Sesame Street characters Telly, Mr. Snuffleupagus, and Slimey the Worm. A few Muppet friends will also join in the fun. No previous puppetry experience needed. Puppetry skills will be practiced simply using hands, so no need to bring any puppets.

This program is intended for adults. 

Monday, October 13 @ 1-4pm

Family Day!

The Library for the Performing Arts will open on Columbus Day for families to visit "Somebody Come and Play". Enjoy storytelling, giveaways, games, plus a visit from a Sesame Street walk-around character. Complimentary goodie bags for the first 50 children under 10 years old. 

Thursday, October 16 @ 6pm

Sesame Street: Making Learning a Funny Affair

How do you make teaching letters, numbers, and health fun and memorable? Make it funny! Sesame Street’s Executive Producer Carol-Lynn Parente, Muppet performer and Head Writer Joey Mazzarino and Senior Vice President of Global Educational Content Rosemarie Truglio will discuss how the show blends an educational curriculum with the art of comedy. Get an insider’s perspective on the process behind the scenes at Sesame Street and see how the team delivers learning and laughter for the entire family.

This program is intended for adults. Advance registration required. Visit nypl.org/sesamestreet for details. 

Wednesday, October 22 @ 3pm

KID'S FILM - Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird

When a meddling social worker arrives on Sesame Street, Big Bird is soon sent to live far away with his "own kind," the Dodos. Lonely and homesick, Big Bird sets off on foot to find his way home, making a lot of new friends along the way. Directed by Ken Kwapis. 1985, 88 minutes. 

Thursday, November 6 @ 6pm

FILM - The World According to Sesame Street

Screening followed by Q&A with Nadine Zylstra, Supervising Producer of Sesame Street.

This documentary explores the complexities behind producing international versions of Sesame Street. The film follows productions in Bangladesh, Kosovo, and South Africa, and examines how producers from New York's Sesame Workshop take the iconic American television show and localize it with indigenous songs, puppets, and curricula while facing cultural, political, and production challenges. Directed by Linda Goldstein Knowlton and Linda Hawkins. 2006, 104 minutes. 

This program is intended for patrons 12-years-old and above.

Wednesday, November 19 @ 3pm

KID'S FILM - The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland

Elmo loves his fuzzy, well-worn blue blanket better than anything in the whole world. In fact, they are inseparable...a perfect team. Elmo would never let anything happen to it; until a tug-of-war with his friend Zoe sends his beloved blanket into a faraway land and puts Elmo in hot pursuit. Directed by Gary Halvorson. 1999, 73 minutes.

Thursday, November 20 @ 6pm

Sesame Street: A Digital Playground

The creators of Sesame Street pioneered a new approach to early childhood education 45 years ago when they set out to use the power of television to help prepare young children for school. Today, Sesame Street continues to evolve with the media landscape to reach children with educational content in new ways. Join the creative team from the Sesame Street Innovation Lab as they show how they utilize multiple platforms and new technologies to create Sesame Street video games, websites, and mobile applications enjoyed by families around the world. Plus, get a peek at a brand new interactive game created by the Sesame Content Innovation Lab and Gigantic Mechanic.

This program is intended for adults. Advance registration required. Visit nypl.org/sesamestreet for details. 

Monday, January 5 @ 6pm

On the Street Where You Learn: The Intersection of Broadway and Sesame Street

What's Sesame Street's most famous cross street? Broadway! Many of the Sesame Street songwriters have also enjoyed careers on Broadway. Join Sesame Street's Music Director Bill Sherman, Tom Kitt, and Lin-Manuel Miranda for an evening of song and conversation about the intersection of Broadway and Sesame Street. 

This program is intended for adults. Advance registration required. Visit nypl.org/sesamestreet for details. 

"Somebody Come and Play": 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder will be on display in the Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery, Shelby Cullom Davis Museum at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts located in Lincoln Center from September 18, 2014 through January 31, 2015.

"Somebody Come and Play": 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder was organized by Sesame Workshop and The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Sesame Workshop®, Sesame Street®, and associated characters, trademarks, and design elements are owned and licensed by Sesame Workshop. © 2014 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved. 

Major support for this exhibit provided by the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation. Additional support provided by Barbara G. Fleischman.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the leadership support of Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman. Additional support for exhibitions has been provided by Judy R. and Alfred A. Rosenberg and the Miriam and Harold Steinberg Foundation.

PRESS CONTACT

Nora Lyons, The New York Public Library | noralyons [at] nypl.org

About The New York Public Library For The Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts houses one of the world’s most extensive combination of circulating, reference, and rare archival collections in its field. These materials are available free of charge, along with a wide range of special programs, including exhibitions, seminars, and performances. An essential resource for everyone with an interest in the arts — whether professional or amateur — the Library is known particularly for its prodigious collections of non-book materials such as historic recordings, videotapes, autograph manuscripts, correspondence, sheet music, stage designs, press clippings, programs, posters and photographs. The Library is part of The New York Public Library system, which has locations in the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island, and is a leading provider of free education for all. 

About Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street which reaches 156 million children across more than 150 countries. The Workshop’s mission is to use the educational power of media to help all children reach their highest potential. Delivered through a variety of platforms, including television programs, digital experiences, books and community engagement, its research-based programs are tailored to the needs of the communities and countries they serve, helping children everywhere grow smarter, stronger and kinder. For more information, visit us at www.sesameworkshop.org.