BWW JR: Sesame Street Live: 123 Imagine! With Elmo and Friends

Most of you reading this are probably already feeling the stress of this dreadful February vacation.  (I mean those of you stuck at home or at work while the kids have no school.  Not the ones on vacation.  I'll tell you where you can put your vacation).  For me, it's an endless week of manic scheduling and desperate searches to find fun things for the kids to do in between my fruitless attempts at working from home.

Lucky for me, one of our vacation days was nicely covered by a visit to Madison Square Garden for the latest Sesame Street Live show, 1-2-3 IMAGINE! WITH ELMO AND FRIENDS.  Not only did my three year old and I enjoy the usual costumed celebrity sightings combined with original music and seriously talented dancers, this production features something new: PLAYZONE is an interactive play space set up in the lobby outside the theatre for any kid with a ticket to the show to enjoy.  My Little Guy and I got there an hour early so we could take a photo of ourselves in Oscar's trash can, shake hands with Ernie and even play Elmo's piano.  Yes, the PLAYZONE is conveniently located just steps from the souvenir stand, and I did get roped into paying $15 for an Elmo toy, but I have to say it was money well spent because Little Guy really likes it and still plays with it a whole week later (which is like a year in three year old time).

According to the show's website, the plot goes something like this:

"Imagine singing and dancing with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and all your favorite Sesame Street Live friends!  It's as easy as counting "1-2-3 ... Imagine!" This high-energy musical will transport audiences to far away places as Ernie captains the high seas, Elmo dances to the rhythm of the African rainforest and Bert meets an octopus who has the blues.  It's a story of adventure and fun that teaches children they can be anyone, do anything and go anywhere with the power of imagination".

The show plays the garden until February 26 and then they're off to Texas, so try to get in now if you can.  When we got home, Little Guy was exhausted and fell right to sleep, leaving me time to write this article.  Thumbs up! 

GET TO THE POINT, MOM!

• The latest Sesame Street Live show at MSG focuses on travel, adventure and imagination.
• Get there early to enjoy PLAYZONE and hang on to your wallet.
• Prepare yourself at intermission for a highly noticeable walk-about by ushers selling cotton candy, pop corn and giant Elmo balloon heads. It will be hard not to make a purchase.
• Best for kids 6 and under.
• For more information and to buy tickets, visit the show's website at http://sesamestreetlive.com/shows/1-2-3-imagine-elmo-and-friends.
• Post-show nap practically guaranteed!

Erin Leigh Peck is a New York based actor, writer and mother. She has performed on and off Broadway, in regional theatre and on tour, in films and on television. She most recently appeared Off-Broadway in The Toxic Avenger Musical and can often be seen on television in various commercials. Erin's play Mother of Mine is a contemporary 'dramedy' about pregnancy, parenthood and postpartum. She is the proud and busy mother of two extremely awesome kids. Please visit her web site, www.ErinLeighPeck.com.

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