
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 19, 1990                   TAG: 9004190516
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHRIS GLADDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THE KIDS LOVE THIS SHOW

Since 1969, parents have owed a debt of gratitude to "Sesame Street," the inspired children's television show that makes learning fun. At the same time, it serves as a welcome antidote to such slam-bang kids' fare as "He-Man" and "G.I. Joe."

"Sesame Street Live," the touring stage show based on the television series, adheres to the same high standards. A better way to introduce preschoolers to the pleasures of a live stage musical is hard to imagine.

"Big Bird and the ABCs" is the latest edition and it's on stage at the Salem Civic Center through Sunday.

Well-choreographed, colorful and peppy, it provides 90 minutes of non-stop entertainment while slyly slipping in some lessons on counting, the alphabet and spelling. The audience Wednesday was enthusiastic and I know first-hand of one 3-year-old who gaped at the bigger-than-life characters he had only before seen in severely reduced size.His mouth was locked open in astonishment and awe throughout the entire first act.

The story focuses on the arrival of a flying saucer to Sesame Street. The pilot is an E.T. named Tee Hee who needs parts for her craft in order to return to the planet Crayon. During her visit, she receives the bountiful goodwill of Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, Grover, the Count, Guy Smiley, Prairie Dawn, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster and the rest of the street's zany residents.

It's an entirely cheerful production with some roller skating, acrobatics, nursery rhymes and a whole lot of music. There are several nods to contemporary culture that children will recognize.

Bert sings lead to Huey Lewis' "Hip to Be Square"; there's a takeoff on "Wheel of Fortune" with Guy Smiley and Prairie Vanna Dawn; and Grover takes on the role of a rapper with the tune "Rap Happy."

The sets are bright, the music upbeat and the helping-hand message the show delivers worthwhile. Muppet creators and veterans such as Jim Henson and Frank Oz provide the voices so what the youngster hear as well as see are charactersvery close to the ones made familiar to them through television.

Adult reviewers can try to assess the show, but the highest recommendation comes from the kids. A show that can hold the attention of a civic center full of the very young for 90 minutes has to be judged a success.

"Big Bird and the ABCs" shows through Sunday at the Salem Civic Center. All seats are reserved. Prices are $8 and $9. For times and more information, call the civic center at 375-3004.

by CNB