Plaza Sésamo



Plaza Sésamo is Mexico's co-production of Sesame Street. The show currently airs on weekends on some American PBS stations.

It stars a giant parrot named Abelardo, a blue Grouch named Pancho Contreras, and a small pink monster called Lola. There are also some Anything Muppet inhabitants on the street and some Monsters.

Abelardo once visited his cousin Big Bird on Sesame Street in the USA.

Before the gang that we see now, there were different characters on the street.

The show began in 1972 with a dragon named Abelardo and a small grouchy green parrot called Paco.

In the 80's they changed the characters... Abelardo Montoya (Parrot) and a brown grouch named Bodoque came living in the street. After 10 years they dropped Abelardo's last name, and Bodoque left the series as other, more colorful puppets joined the show.

Sesame Workshop description
''Plaza Sésamo premiered in Mexico and Latin America in 1972. The acclaimed Spanish-language television series for preschool children depicts a colorful neighborhood, the Plaza, which is home to a mix of families, children, and Muppets. Like its counterpart, Sesame Street, the show intertwines animation, live action films, studio segments and original music videos that teach basic literacy and numeracy and help children gain a better understanding of the world around them. In 2003, Plaza Sésamo celebrated its 30th anniversary. Three decades after launching in Mexico and Latin America the series continues to educate and delight children through its television broadcast and in other media, including; books, videos, toys, and a Plaza Sésamo theme park in Monterrey, Mexico.'' ''In 2006, the first of three exciting new seasons of Plaza Sésamo will air on Televisa, Discovery Kids Latin America, Univision Puerto Rico, and TeleFutura. Additionally, Sesame Workshop will distribute the show throughout the Latin American marketplace and the US Hispanic marketplace. The new episodes of Plaza Sésamo will see the return of Abelardo, Lola, and Pancho, as well as favorites Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert, and Ernie. Regional live action films, produced by local producers from throughout Latin America, will highlight the rich cultural diversity of the region. In addition, ten new 60-minute Plaza Sésamo home video titles, including a holiday special, will be produced along with seasons 9, 10 and 11.''

Cast
Muppet Cast:
 * Abelardo: Eugenio Bartilotti
 * Lola: Rocío Lara
 * Pancho: Odín Dupeyrón, Marypaz García (assist)
 * Other Muppets and Monsters: Alejandro Abaroa, Flavio Ruiz, Carlos Martello, Alejandro Benítez, Santiago Alonso
 * Elefancio: Itzel Tapia

Human Cast:
 * La Abuela: Evita Munoz
 * Don Boni: Edgar Vivar
 * Carmen: María Del Sol
 * Gertrudis: Leonorilda Ochoa
 * Pablo: Ariel López Padilla
 * Maria: Paty Díaz
 * Susana: Liza Echeverria
 * Juan: Raúl Magaña
 * Neftalí: Héctor Hernández
 * Daniela: Mariana Botas
 * Manuel: Charlie Santana
 * ToNo: Isaac Castro
 * Romina: Anahí Sánchez

Credits

 * Executive Producer: Rosy Ocampo
 * Associate Producers: Eduardo Meza, Alfredo Gonzáles, Fernández
 * Music Coordinator: Alejandro Abaroa
 * Theme song ("Entrada a Plaza Sésamo") by Walterio Pesqueira