The Nutcracker: Starring Elmo & Tango

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The Nutcracker: Starring Elmo & Tango is a 26-minute animated Sesame Street Christmas special that premiered on December 1, 2022, on HBO Max, starring Elmo and Tango. The special is inspired by The Nutcracker story, making use of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's famous score (with original songs set to his music).

The special premiered on PBS Kids on December 2, 2023.

Press kit description

“The holidays are here on Sesame Street, and Elmo is determined to make it the best Christmas for Tango. At Elmo’s family holiday party, friends and family sing about how wonderful this holiday will be. The Count arrives bearing gifts for everyone, including a wind-up rocket ship for Elmo and a cute, nutcracker-shaped doggy toy for Tango. After a fun-filled night, Elmo and Tango fall asleep listening to Elmo’s dad, Louie, read them the story of The Nutcracker. Elmo drifts into a dream sequence where Tango can speak, and that’s when the adventure begins!”

Songs

• "Best Christmas Ever"
• "Sugar Plum Fairy Abby"
• "Cookie's Tasty Skating Class"

Cast

• Ryan Dillon: Elmo
• Leslie Carrara-Rudolph: Tango, Abby Cadabby
• David Rudman: Cookie Monster
• Eric Jacobson: Grover, Oscar, Bert
• Matt Vogel: Big Bird, The Count
• Tyler Bunch: Louie
• Stephanie D'Abruzzo: Mae
• Peter Linz: Ernie
• Royina Patel: Dream Tango
• Donovan Monzon: Mouse

Credits

• Executive Producers: Olexa Hewryk, Ben Lehmann, Kay Wilson Stallings, Mark Taylor
• Coordinating Producer: Mindy Fila
• Content Producer: Autumn Zitani Stefano, M.A.
• Writer: Morgan von Ancken
• Director: Joanna Hepworth
• Storyboards: Rick Ritter, Liz Murphy
• SVP, Curriculum and Content: Rosemarie Truglio, PhD
• Vocal Music Director: Paul Rudolph
• Talent Supervisor: Karyn Leibovich
• Songs and Underscore Composed by Paul Buckley
• Music Director and Underscore Composer: Mick Cooke

Merchandise

A soundtrack for the special was released in advance on November 1.

The special also received two book adaptations released prior to the special, Best Christmas Ever! and The Nutcracker: Starring Elmo & Tango, as well as a sound book in 2023. The special was included on the DVD Elmo’s Holiday Spectacular.