Entertainment West Coast

Elmo Makes Music and Great Family Memories!

Sesame Street is a cherished part of almost everybody’s childhood, and it’s definitely been that for me and both of my girls. I got the chance to take them to see Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre last weekend. As the name of the show suggests, there was a lot of music, singing, and dancing – exactly the right mix of fun to keep my kids’ attention the whole time. They spotted all their favourites: Big Bird, Bert & Ernie, Cookie Monster, Telly Monster, Abby Cadabby, Zoe, Grover, the Count, Telly, Rosita, Oscar the Grouch, Baby Bear, and of course, Elmo!

Elmo Makes Music and Great Family Memories!

Jenny, an enthusiastic new music teacher, arrives on Sesame Street only to discover that her instruments are missing. Jenny’s new Muppet friends quickly come to the rescue and discover ‘instruments’ they never knew existed… rubber duckies, trash can lids and even cookie jars. Elmo and friends teach children that everyone can make and enjoy beautiful music together.

The life-like Sesame Street characters were instantly recognizable in full-body suits with mouths that actually moved in time with the pre-recorded voices. Jenny the new music teacher sang and spoke her parts live. She had great chemistry with the characters and lots of energy, though I noticed she was a bit pitchy on a couple of occasions. Unlike most other shows, the characters came out into the audience. And not just to the VIP floor seats, but also in the stands. Tee got to shake hands with Zoe. She could barely contain her excitement – it was such a magical memory for her!

Yes, the show is intended for children, but hubs and I both thoroughly enjoyed the show too. There was a lot of nostalgia value in the songs. I couldn’t keep myself from tapping my toes and singing along to “Sunny Day”, “The People in Your Neighbourhood”, “What Makes Music”, “C is for Cookie”, and “Fuzzy and Blue”. And you know what? I saw a lot of other parents doing the same.

Elmo Makes Music and Great Family Memories!

My girls enjoyed the fun black light segment with giant glowing running shoes dancing and doing cartwheels to “All Feets Can Dance”. The first act wrapped up with an Elmo’s World segment starring Dorothy the goldfish and Mr. Noodle’s other brother, Mr. Noodle. The set was dressed with scribbled cardboard cutouts of a piano and window shade, just like on the TV show. The similar format, including the last song (“Music, music, music, music” sung to the tune of “Jingle Bells”), was familiar and beloved to all the preschoolers and parents present.

After a 15 minute intermission, the second act really got going when Bert came out disco dancing to “The Hustle” and “You Should Be Dancing”, complete with a mirrored disco ball and white leisure suit a la John Travolta. It went way over the kids’ heads, but all the adults laughed. “Rockin’ Robin” was a lot of fun, and I really got a kick out of  their song parody of “Fame”. The Count and his operatic number 8 sang, “Eight! I’m going to count forever!” Oscar came out in his trash can for “I Love Trash”, and for the finale, the entire Sesame Street ensemble sang “Sing”. Everyone oohed and aahed as the celebratory streamers flew out into the audience at the very end.

Elmo Makes Music and Great Family Memories!

The whole family had a blast at the show! Tee will never forget meeting Zoe, and Kay loved dancing to the music (and the Elmo balloons!). If you get the chance, definitely take the family out and make some great memories on Sesame Street. Buy tickets to a show near you and use code ERNIE online for $3 off each ticket. (Offer excludes Gold Circle & Sunny Seats. Cannot be combined with other offers or used on previously purchased tickets.)

Discover more at Sesame Street Live or visit on Facebook or Twitter.

Disclosure: I received media tickets for the purpose of writing this review.  All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.

Leave a Comment