Soon, the most famous street in the world will be on display in the most famous city in the world, giving fans both young and old a chance to learn, play, and celebrate an iconic television show that has been on the air for nearly half a century. 

“Somebody Come and Play”: 45 Years of Learning on Sesame Street is a free, multimedia exhibition for anyone who loves and grew up with Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bert, Ernie, and all of their muppet friends.

The exhibit, which will take place 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 in Manhattan, is free and will be on display from September 18, 2014 through January 31, 2015.

The exhibit (named after the popular Sesame Street song) dips deep into the Sesame Street archives, and will feature over 250 scripts, storyboards, lead sheets, designs, photographs, animation cels, scores and more. Two popular muppets, Snuffy and Super Grover, will be on display, along with Sesame Street books, games, apps and e-books. Visitors will also learn about Sesame Street international programs and view Muppets from other countries, as well as all of Sesame Workshop's outreach initiatives. 

There will be more than 20 muppets on display, along with blueprints and set designs, and other behind the scenes looks on how the show is created each day. Sketches and models will show how Muppets are created, and other displays will talk about the show's curriculum and how it is selected.

 

"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

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

Please note: 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 at 11 a.m.

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, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. [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, 2014 from 1 to 4 p.m.

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, 2014 at 6 p.m.

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, 2014 at 3 p.m.

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, 2014 at 6 p.m.

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, 2014 at 3 p.m.

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, 2014 at 6 p.m.

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, 2015 at 6 p.m.

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.