The Smithsonian's Discovery Theater is throwing a birthday bash for America’s favorite children’s television show, and you’re invited. Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Zoe, and Prairie Dawn, along with Muppeteers Kevin Clash, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, and Fran Brill, join Sesame Street executive producer Carol-Lynn Parente and Sonia Manzano (‘Maria’) to talk about the show’s 40 years of fun and learning. They share clips from the first season in 1969 and scenes from new episodes.

After the show, purchase the beautiful anniversary book, Sesame Street: A Celebration of Forty Years of Life on the Street by Louis A. Gikow, from Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers.  Carol-Lyn Parente and Sonia Manazano will be available to sign your book or program.  Also, meet the Muppets and have your picture taken with them and their Muppeteers!  (Parents, please bring your own camera).


A Closer Look - More About the Muppets:

Elmo (Performer: Kevin Clash) is a three-year-old furry red Muppet monster with an orange nose.  He currently hosts the last full segment on Sesame Street, called "Elmo's World," which is aimed at toddlers.  He refers to himself almost entirely in the third person.  As with many children of his age, he is seen somewhat infrequently with a favorite toy of his: an orange monster-like doll named David.

Abby Cadabby (Performer: Leslie Cararra-Rudolph) is a three-year-old fairy-in-training who lives on Sesame Street. She made her debut in the first episode of Sesame Street’s 37th season, when she moved into the neighborhood and met some of the Street's residents.  Abby's magical powers are limited to popping in and out of thin air, floating when she's happy, and turning things into pumpkins. Although familiar with the world of fairy tales, Abby is astounded by such basic learning skills as drawing letters or counting, prompting her catchphrase "That's so magical!”  In 2008, Abby was added to the cast of Plaza Sésamo, the Mexican co-production of Sesame Street, appearing in new segments where she tries to perform magic tricks with various ordinary objects. In 2009, she became the host of 3, 2, 1 Vamos!, a Latin American pre-school programming block.

Zoe (Performer: Fran Brill) is a three-year-old orange monster who first appeared on Sesame Street in Season 25. She was designed in her color to complement Elmo, who was gaining popularity at the time of her introduction.  Zoe was created to help balance what was then a predominately male cast of Muppets on the series. Zoe has often been seen wearing a tutu, because, like many girls of her age, she is obsessed with ballet.  Her love of dance, in general, resulted in the video Zoe's Dance Moves.

Prairie Dawn (Performer: Fran Brill) is a mature, level-headed, seven-year old Muppet girl on Sesame Street. She is famous for writing and directing school pageants featuring her friends, mostly Ernie, Bert, Herry, Grover, and Cookie Monster.  Detail-oriented and efficient, Prairie often aspires to work in broadcasting or journalism, presenting "Fairy Tales Today" on Sesame Street itself; and also serving as a correspondent for the Monster News Network in Sesame Street Stays Up Late!, and directing the broadcast of Elmopalooza.  In addition to her pageants, she has been seen in her own segments, chronicling "The Adventures of Prairie Dawn".  Since Season 33, she has frequently tried to keep Cookie Monster from eating the Letter of the Day. She can also be seen on the TV series Play With Me Sesame.