Elmo's Here!

When my sons were young I had a good excuse to go to the Sesame Street stage shows - but these days, I just get to read about them.

Here's a story about the show visiting Huntington tonight and tomorrow, as written by my pal Beth Hendricks:

Everybody's favorite "street" is just a little closer to home this week.

Sesame Street Live hits the Big Sandy Superstore Arena to present the stage production, When Elmo Grows Up, today, April 7, and Wednesday, April 8. Showtime is 7 p.m. each evening, with a matinee performance at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

"This is a pretty interactive show, with the kids in the audience singing and dancing a lot. It's like their version of a rock concert. They see these characters and their jaws drop," said Chris Urban, who portrays "Count." "In fact, we just had a kid who was so excited he managed to get past the ushers and security and snuck on-stage during the performance. It was hilarious and adorable."

This stage production introduces Abby Cadabby as the newest Muppet on Sesame Street, joining Elmo, Zoe and all the other favorites as they talk about what they want to be when they grow up and prepare for a Sesame Street pageant.

"We've got all the characters everybody loves and all the songs that the kids love and the parents will remember," Urban said. Songs include "Home on the Range," "Down on the Corner," and classics such as "I Love Trash" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider."

The lesson on the "street" is all about patience, acceptance and teamwork.

"The show teaches kids that there's no rush or assertiveness to trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up," said Urban, a former employee at Sesame Place in Pennsylvania before joining up with 'Sesame Street Live' three years ago. "You're only a kid, and it's OK to be just a kid. Don't worry about being so grown up."

Ticket prices to get to Sesame Street range from $12 to $22 and can be obtained through Ticketmaster or at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena Box Office.