REVIEW: Sesame Street Live: Make Your Magic at The Chicago Theatre

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Family Friendly Theatre Fun

 Guest Review
by kimberly robb baker

Sesame Street Live: Make Your Magic surprised me by entertaining all my kids—toddler to tween!

We all enjoyed meeting one of the Muppets pre-show at a sweet little puppet theatre in the lobby. The storyline, Elmo struggling to learn a magic trick to perform with Justin The Magician in front of all of his Sesame street friends, was engaging.

Of course, the little ones who love Sesame Street are simply thrilled to see their favorite characters in real life. There was lots of audience interaction and opportunities to stand up and move, incorporating the inevitable wiggles into the show. My tween appreciated the rap and dance and was keeping count of how many Fortnight moves were incorporated.

Creative lighting, sets, and puppetry brought the story to life and delighted all in attendance. We particularly enjoyed the cookie-baking scene, in which Cookie and his cohort run a cookie truck, and one in which Abby and Elmo’s patience is rewarded by seeing butterflies come out of their cocoon (nice psychedelic puppetry there!).

The message of perseverance—and the “power of yet”—leaves the whole family entertained and inspired with an important life lesson.

Kimberly Robb Baker is a Chicago based writer, blogger, consultant, story teller, and mother. You can find her worky stuff here: ThisLittleBrand.com and her artsy fartsy stuff here:  DisruptiveMama.com.

ChiIL Mama’s Chi, IL Picks List

ChiIL Mama will be there... will you?! I'm sending one of my fabulous freelancers, Kim, and her family to review for you. Don't miss this two day only chance to catch your favorite Sesame Street pals Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and more right here in Chi, IL.

Everyone’s invited on an amazing journey with Elmo to discover the “power of yet” in Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic. Featuring favorite Sesame Street pals Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and more in a brand-new, magical adventure live on stage. Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic will visit Chicago on Saturday, Feb. 9, and Sunday, Feb. 10, for six performances at The Chicago Theatre. Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic is produced by family entertainment giant, Feld Entertainment, in partnership with the non-profit educational organization Sesame Workshop.



Elmo is inspired to learn a magic trick when he meets magician extraordinaire Justin, who has come to Sesame Street to perform a magic show. But there’s one problem…Elmo doesn’t know how to do magic! Through Justin’s encouragement to practice, work hard and never give up, Elmo embarks on an extraordinary journey. He learns that it’s okay to make mistakes and that magic can be found anywhere when you believe in yourself and the power of what’s yet to be. 

Cookie Monster and Gonger uncover the science and fun of baking while Abby Cadabby experiences the transformative abilities of caterpillars. Big Bird learns about the magnifying magic of shadow puppetry while Rosita orchestrates a rhythmic beat using everyday objects around her. And artist Grover mixes up the pigment power of the three primary colors. With high-energy dance numbers and a soundtrack that’s sure to get everyone out of their seats, Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic is an inspirational introduction to live theater and the art of illusion that the entire family will enjoy.

Tickets for Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic start at $15 and can be purchased online at www.msg.com/chicagotheatre, Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or The Chicago Theatre box office. Accessible and companion seats are available via the Disabled Services Department at 1-888-609-7599.

Shows are Saturday, Feb. 9, and Sunday, Feb. 10, at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. During the Sesame Street Live! pre-show experience, families have the opportunity to meet and take photos with Elmo and two of his furry friends before the show (characters are subject to availability). The Meet & Greet Package also features premium show seating within the first five rows and on-site experience hosts. Limited Meet & Greet Packages are available, so buy yours today!

Stay current on the latest developments through social media:
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/SesameStreetLive  
Twitter: @SesameStLive #SesameStreetLive 
YouTube: www.youtube.com/SesameSteetLive 
Instagram: @SesameStreetLive


About The Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is a world leader in live sports and entertainment experiences.  The company presents or hosts a broad array of premier events in its diverse collection of iconic venues: New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, CA; The Chicago Theatre; and the Wang Theatre in Boston.  Other MSG properties include legendary sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL) and the New York Liberty (WNBA); two development league teams –  the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL); and esports teams through Counter Logic Gaming, a leading North American esports organization, and Knicks Gaming, MSG’s NBA 2K League franchise.  In addition, the Company features the popular original production – the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes – and through Boston Calling Events, produces New England’s preeminent Boston Calling Music Festival.  Also under the MSG umbrella is TAO Group, a world-class hospitality group with globally-recognized entertainment dining and nightlife brands: Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Avenue, The Stanton Social, Beauty & Essex and Vandal.  More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com

About Feld Entertainment
Feld Entertainment® is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that bring people together and uplift the human spirit. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, Disney On Ice, Disney Live!, Marvel Universe LIVE!, Sesame Street Live!, and DreamWorks Trolls The Experience (coming Fall 2018). Across the brand portfolio, Feld Entertainment has entertained millions of families in more than 75 countries and on six continents. Visit feldentertainment.com for more information.

About Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street, the pioneering television show that has been reaching and teaching children since 1969. Today, Sesame Workshop is an innovative force for change, with a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. We’re active in more than 150 countries, serving vulnerable children through a wide range of media, formal education, and philanthropically-funded social impact programs, each grounded in rigorous research and tailored to the needs and cultures of the communities we serve. For more information, please visit sesameworkshop.org.