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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 16, 1994                   TAG: 9411160105
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CLAUDINE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THE MAN IN THE BIG BIRD SUIT ENJOYS SEEING THE SMILES

Both the young and the young at heart will try to answer the question "Where's the Birdie?" during an all-Muppet production beginning Thursday night at 7:30 at the Salem Civic Center.

Cookie Monster and Super Grover and the rest of the Sesame Street gang are out to find their 8-foot-2-inch pal Big Bird in a who-done-it, slapstick mystery production.

The life-sized characters sing and dance in the 90-minute production geared especially to children 2 to 10 years old.

The story begins when Big Bird thinks that everyone has forgotten his birthday. While his friends are planning a surprise birthday bash, an upset Big Bird runs away.

While police and his friends search for the disappointed bird, the villain, P.T. Barnswallow, persuades the giant yellow canary to join his circus.

In the end, naturally, the Muppet gang manage to outwit Barnswallow, and return Big Bird to his beloved Sesame Street.

In a telephone interview, Jason Shaw, the 6-foot-2 actor inside the 8-foot bird plumage, said he grew up watching ``Sesame Street.'' The two-year Muppet veteran said he enjoys interacting with children.

"A lot of kids think it is like meeting a big superstar or a famous actor," Shaw said. "A few are overwhelmed and get scared. It is a little surprising to see an 8-foot yellow bird standing in there. But it is worthwhile to see the kids smile. It makes you realize why you are doing this."

While Big Bird acts like a bubbly 6-year-old, Oscar the Grouch manages to appeal to children with his downbeat disposition.

"It amazes me how popular he is," said Bart Lovins, who doubles as Oscar and P.T. Barnswallow. "Kids are always saying, 'I love you Oscar,' and Oscar just acts disgusted. They love it."

The 13-member cast executes cartwheels and jumps, and there is even a big race on roller skates.

And audience participation is encouraged. So children and adults get the chance to dance along with the characters.

``Sesame Street Live: Where's the Birdie?'' begins at the Salem Civic Center on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Thereafter, shows are Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sunday at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office (375-3004) and TicketMaster outlets.

by CNB