Sesame Street performers enjoy a visit from Oscar during the evening’s performance. (From left, front row) Frank Oz, Caroll Spinney with Oscar, Sonia Manzano, and Elmo with Kevin Clash; (back row, left) Tony Geiss

The creative forces behind some of the most popular Sesame Street characters gathered for a rare behind-the-scenes look at the forty-year-old children’s television show during a sold-out program of the University’s Distinguished Lecturer Series on January 30.

The program featured panelists Frank Oz (Bert, Grover, and Cookie Monster); Kevin Clash (Elmo); Caroll Spinney (Big Bird and Oscar); Marty Robinson (Telly Monster and Snuffy); and Fran Brill (Zoe and Prairie Dawn). Also on the panel were Sonia Manzano (Maria), Bob McGrath (Bob); and composer and writer Tony Geiss. Michael Davis, author of Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street, was the evening’s moderator.

The program was geared to adults, but included surprises and humorous appearances by Elmo, Oscar the Grouch, Telly Monster, and Zoe to the delight of the crowd in Shea Center, who, at one point, burst into the show’s signature song, “Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?”

Prior to the evening’s performance, several of the Sesame Street stars participated in a workshop moderated by Janis Strasser, professor of elementary and early childhood education, for 150 teachers to guide them in using Sesame Street as an instructional tool in their classes. The workshop was sponsored by the University’s College of Education.

To view photos from the evening, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/wpunj/sets/72157613755954274/show/.