Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY OF PERFORMING ARTS, NEW YORK, NY- The New York Public Library of Performing Arts at Lincoln Center has a fun exhibit for children and the child at heart. “Somebody Come and Play” is an exhibit celebrating Sesame Street’s success on television. The best part was enjoying it with my little cousin Liann, and my sister Alondra.

It was no Sesame Place, but the exhibit had the toddler in me excited—and at the same time I felt old. I remember watching Sesame Street and seeing monsters like Razzle and the Yip-Yip aliens. I had to ask who Murray and Abby Kadabby were since they are part of the new generation. The exhibit answered those questions and kept me interested on the history of the series. It started out as a research project to answer the question “can children learn basic skills watching television?” The project became a groundbreaking educational television program that now everyone enjoys. There was nothing better for me as a kid than learning the alphabet and numbers with the characters on the show. My bilingual skills improved with Rosita and Maria.

Of course, the beloved muppets are part of the exhibit: Elmo, Cookie Monster, Super Grover, The Count, Zoey, Bert, Ernie, Big Bird, and even Snuffleupagus. The compositions for classic songs are on display. “C is for Cookie” and “Rubber Duckie” were my favorites. Alondra loved seeing the lyrics to “Elmo’s World”. Elmo was her favorite and Liann’s too. We read through the Sesame Street theme song. Did anyone notice it does not really answer the question of how to get to there?

Behind-the-scene photos told the story of the staff who bring Sesame Street to life. It takes two people to make Snuffy move, and Big Bird is eight feet tall. Producing segments that both entertain and educate children is a lot of hard work, but for 45 years Sesame Street has done an amazing job.

The exhibit also had an interactive wall where children could write a message. They even got to watch some Sesame Street videos and take photos with the Honkers. If your child feels brave enough to bother Oscar the Grouch, all he or she needs to do is push a button. Photography is allowed.