2024 Sesame Workshop Annual Gala Highlights
The 21st Sesame Workshop Benefit Gala was held on May 29, 2024.
- Host: Leslie Odom Jr.
- Honoring: PNC Financial Services (Civic Leadership Award), Shonda Rhimes (Joan Ganz Cooney Award, presented by Oprah Winfrey)
- Special guest John Oliver
- Musical performances by Andra Day
- Songs: "Sesame Street Theme," a parody of "The Room Where It Happens" from Hamilton, "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon," "Sing"
- Muppets: Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Ernie, Felix, Gabrielle, Grover, Rosita, Telly Monster, The Martians (Leslie Carrara-Rudolph and Martin P. Robinson), Chickens (Leslie Carrara-Rudolph and Carmen Osbahr), Fish, a clam, a lion, a dinosaur[1], Slimey[2]
Benjamin Lehmann directed the show.[3]
Baby versions of Ernie and Bert appeared as puppets, converted from photo puppets used for Sesame Street Babies merchandise in the early 1990s. Ernie was rebuilt by Rollie Krewson and Bert by Anney McKilligan Ozar.[4]
Andra Day and Ernie
John Oliver, puppeteer
Odom, Rhimes, and Winfrey on stage
Shonda Rhimes
Leslie Odom Jr.
Rhimes, Odom, and Winfrey
Andra Day
John Oliver
Cheryl Henson and Ed Finn
Sources[]
External links[]
- Official Page
- Additional video of the event: (YouTube)