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Bert and Ernie Come Alive on Stage

Press Release from Sesame Workshop

(New York, NY, and Minneapolis, MN, April 14, 2009) It's Bert and Ernie as you've never seen them before! As humans! BERT & ERNIE, GOODNIGHT!, a new theatrical production, will have its world premiere at the Children's Theatre Company (CTC), based in Minneapolis, MN, this September. Inspired by SESAME STREET's best buddies, this performance unleashes bedlam when poor Bert, who just wants to sleep, tries to cope with Ernie's wildly inventive antics. Through song and humor, the pair learns all about cooperation before the night is done.

Starring Bradley Greenwald and Reed Sigmund, the acclaimed duo who brought FROG AND TOAD alive at CTC, BERT & ERNIE, GOODNIGHT! is filled with classic bits and songs from SESAME STREET. Guests will hear such favorites as "One and One Makes Two" (Jeffrey Moss); "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" (Jeffrey Moss); "Imagination" (Joe Raposo); "That's What Friends are For" (Tony Geiss); "Doin' the Pigeon" (Joe Raposo); "Dance Myself to Sleep" (Christopher Cerf and Norman Stiles); and "But I Like You" (Jeffrey Moss). In addition, one new, never-before-heard song has been created especially for Bert & Ernie, Goodnight! The show, adapted for the stage by Barry Kornhauser, is suitable for all ages and will be performed from September 12-October 25 (previews begin September 8) on the UnitedHealth Group Stage at the Tony Award-winning CTC.

"After 40 years on television and stage, we continue to keep SESAME STREET vibrant by exploring and expanding into new styles of production," said Gary E. Knell, President and CEO of Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind SESAME STREET. "BERT & ERNIE, GOODNIGHT! retains the essence of our classic duo and then takes them on a brand new misadventure."

"We are thrilled to bring Bert and Ernie to our stage to celebrate friendship and camaraderie through this laugh-a-minute, song-filled show," said CTC Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius. "CTC has a proud history of fresh approaches to classics that make our shows incredibly special for today's families."

BERT & ERNIE, GOODNIGHT! kicks off CTC's 2009-2010 season. Subscription tickets are now on sale; single tickets go on sale to the public August 10.

BERT & ERNIE, GOODNIGHT! is presented by special arrangement with Sesame Workshop and VEE Corporation, which has retained post-CTC touring rights. VEE is the premier producer of the live stage musical production SESAME STREET LIVE, which has entertained over 75 million children and their families since 1980. Sesame Street Live tours annually from coast to coast and, since its inception, to over 30 countries around the world. Currently touring in the U.S. are ELMO MAKES MUSIC, ELMO'S GREEN THUMB and WHEN ELMO GROWS UP. SUPER GROVER! READY FOR ACTION just wrapped up multi-city dates throughout Spain and Portugal. SESAME STREET LIVE is the longest running children's live stage tour in history. (www.vee.com/www.sesamestreetlive.com).

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary SESAME STREET. As the single largest informal educator of young children, local SESAME STREET programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 120 nations. Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as DRAGON TALES and PINKY DINKY DOO. In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives provide families tools for addressing such issues as children's health, military deployment and emergency preparedness. As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic donations support Sesame Workshop's educational research and creative content for children around the world. Learn more at www.sesamestreet.org.

The Children's Theatre Company (CTC) creates extraordinary theatre experiences that educate, challenge and inspire. CTC is the first theatre for young people to win the coveted Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater (2003). Founded in 1965, CTC serves more than 300,000 people annually, is the flagship theatre for young people in North America, and is one of the 20 largest theatre companies in the nation. The company is noted for defining worldwide standards with an innovative mix of classic tales, celebrated international productions and challenging new work.