The New York Times has posted a piece full of details about “Elmo the Musical.” The new Elmo-centric segment has been in the works for a while now as a replacement for “Elmo’s World,” which had pretty much run its course. You should absolutely read the whole article, but here are some of the important points:
- The segment will debut in season 43, which starts September 24th (Hey, that’s Jim Henson’s birthday!).
- There will be ten episodes this year — including the previously reported “Guacamole the Musical” and “Sea Captain the Musical,” as well as “Pizza the Musical” — and five more will be added into the rotation next season.
- Elmo will be joined by a new character named Velvet, a purple curtain played by Leslie Carrara-Rudolph. Which sounds pretty fantastic.
- Broadway star Audra McDonald will make an appearance in “Circus the Musical.”
- The segment is part of an effort to attract slightly older kids to the show. Having won over the two-year-olds, the producers are apparently looking to bring in the jaded, cynical three- and four-year-old crowd.
- “Elmo’s World” reruns will still show up on Sesame Street occasionally.
- A recent test audience of children in Harlem gave “Elmo the Musical” their approval. (Maybe we should get one of them to write a review for us?)
- “Elmo the Musical” will be performed without an intermission.
It all sounds like a very slick and exciting new venture for the show. “Elmo’s World” fans may note that there’s no mention of Dorothy the goldfish or and Misters or Misses Noodle, so I’m kind of thinking they might be retired now. But maybe they could make a cameo?
In case you missed them in our previous post on the new season, check out these preview clips of the “Sea Captain” and “Guacamole” episodes:
Click here to sing about this article on “Tough Pigs Forum the Musical!”
by Ryan Roe – Ryan@ToughPigs.com
