Sesame Street

Last Saturday Mekhi and I took a trip to see Sesame Street Live. I had preconceived notions about the experience. I expected children screaming at the top of their lungs, stroller traffic jams and toddlers weaving through the crowd amped up on a sugar high. My ideas about Sesame were not conceived by my overactive imagination.

Five years ago I happily chaperoned my friend’s 3 year old to Dora the Explorer at Radio City Music Hall in New York. It was my first experience navigating the streets of NYC with a stroller and I was strangely giddy and nervous as the date approached. Dora’s reality? Imagine 2000 toddlers screaming "Swiper no swiping!" and waving miscellaneous banners in the air; an interactive show that left the kids screaming for more as I looked for the closest source of Tylenol. I am happy to report that the Sesame experience was pleasantly surprising.

The producers of Sesame Street Live have the logistics of the show down to a science. All of the characters were life sized and not the "puppets" that are portrayed on television. As the characters played their respective roles I thought about how hot and sweaty they must be inside of the customs and wondered if they were nearly naked beneath. Their mouths did not move so that was a bit unnerving – dialogue played over the loud speakers but I am sure that the kids did not notice. The scenes were quick and easy to follow and intermission came quite quickly.

This is when Sesame pulled out the big guns – ginormous bouquets of Elmo balloons floated languidly in the air. Children throughout the arena pulled on the arms of their parents begging for one of the airborne novelties. And when the show was about to begin again Sesame kindly asked that the balloons and banners be placed beneath the seats so that all could see the show.

I loved Sesame Live. Revisiting the characters of my younger years and being introduced to the new was both charming and fun. Mekhi marveled at the lights and sounds that enveloped us and had a complete ball. When the show was over I exited to the right with baby on board my back as all mommies in the know will do. No stroller parking for me and waiting in lines forever. We exited without fanfare it was an enjoyable experience for all.