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The iconic characters of “Sesame Street” come together in the production “Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music.” (Courtesy Of Vee Corporation/Sesame Workshop)
Christopher Ellis has a job that many would envy. He travels the country and sees a new city almost on a daily basis. Night after night, when he takes the stage, he brings smiles and joy to those in the audience.
Yet, while Ellis performs, no one ever sees his face.
“It’s a good thing and a bad thing,” he explains during a recent phone interview from Huntsville, Ala. “On one hand, I’d like to be recognized. On the other hand, I like being able to remain anonymous.”
The reason Ellis isn’t seen is due to the fact that he dons a giant yellow feathered suit, and when he puts it on, he transforms into Big Bird. Ellis has played the iconic character for the past nine years in “Sesame Street Live’s” traveling shows.
He takes on the task again for “Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music,” which begins its five-performance run at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho tonight.
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‘Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music’
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The story in “Elmo Makes Music” centers around Jenny, a music teacher and “human” character who arrives on Sesame Street only to discover that her instruments are missing. The Muppets save the day by improvising instruments out of trash can lids, cookie jars and other objects. The lesson: Everybody can make beautiful music together.
The show’s score ranges from songs such as “The Hustle” and “Rockin’ Robin” that adults will recognize, to “C is for Cookie,” “The Alphabet Song” and other sing-along classics for children.
Ellis, who grew up the eldest of seven in Minneapolis, admits that he didn’t watch “Sesame Street” while growing up.
“I think I missed out on how much the show teaches children,” he explains. “But I do watch the show now and get tips from the original Big Bird. Then I put my own twist on it.”
While Ellis has played Big Bird for nearly a decade, he says it did take some work to master using the puppet.
“I stand 6 feet 2 inches, and when I put on the suit it adds 2 more feet to my height,” he explains. “It’s like a second skin now, but as I was learning, I had to figure out how to control the puppet’s head with one hand. Now I have it down.”
Ellis jokes that Big Bird is one of the more “special” characters when it comes to the show.
He says while most of the characters do meet-and-greet sessions, he’s often left out.
“Big Bird doesn’t participate with the crowd as much as the other characters,” he says. “The suit that I’m in is so expensive that producers make sure it’s kept in good condition by limiting my time on stage and with the audience.”
While playing Big Bird has been a dream job for Ellis, there are a couple characters he’d like to play.
“Because I’m so tall, I’m limited to Big Bird,” he explains. “But if I had the chance I would like to be Telly (Monster) or Bert. I just love their dry sense of humor and I think that suits me, as well.”
As the national tour rolls on, Ellis says he still enjoys hearing the roar of the crowd.
“There’s nothing like seeing the curtains come back and you see the audience all smiling,” he says. “It’s not only fun for the children, but a lot of the parents are able to be taken back to their childhood and watching the show. It’s just a magical thing to see.”
Reprint story -- Email the reporter at agomez@abqjournal.com. Call the reporter at 505-823-3921
