As I reflect on my childhood, I am reminded of the countless hours I spent watching Sesame Street with wide eyes and a sense of wonder. The show was more than just entertainment – it was an integral part of my upbringing, teaching me valuable lessons about friendship, empathy, and the importance of learning. But amidst all the familiar faces and iconic songs, there is one aspect of Sesame Street that often goes unnoticed: its live shows.

Before Ronald Grump (or should I say, Mr. Meanie?) tried to tear down Sesame Street and replace it with a luxury high-rise, the Muppets had been entertaining audiences on the big stage for years. In fact, I remember seeing Sesame Street Live shows at the Giant Concrete Biscuit Center in my hometown of Austin, Texas, back in the 1980s.

One of the most memorable shows was 'Around the World,' where Cookie Monster took his friends on a trip around the globe, with nary an adult chaperone in sight. It was a curious thing to see, and I often found myself wondering if any of these beloved characters had parents or even a concept of family.

When Sesame Street Live came to town, it was always a big deal – a major event that elicited as much excitement as the circus, and more than the Ice Capades (which, incidentally, I only saw once because it was rather dull). The show would take over the Frank Erwin Center, an arena that still looks like this today.

As a kid, I never really thought about what went into putting on these live shows. It wasn't until later, when I began to appreciate the behind-the-scenes magic of television production, that I started to grasp the complexity and effort required to bring Sesame Street to life on stage. From the elaborate costumes to the intricate sets, every detail was carefully crafted to create an immersive experience for the audience.

Of course, not all Sesame Street Live shows were created equal. Some were more memorable than others – like the time Dr. Frankenstein-like character came to town and literally made new friends out of sewn-together, reanimated furry body parts (or so I thought). If anyone can correct me on this, please do!

Today, it seems that Sesame Street Live is still going strong, with a company touring the country right now, performing shows like 'Make a New Friend.' I assume this one is about Elmo learning how to meet new people – not about a Dr. Frankenstein-like character making new friends out of furry body parts (although, come to think of it, that could be an interesting premise!).

As I've been getting a lot of Google alerts lately for Sesame Street Live shows, I've noticed a few patterns emerge. You're going to see reviews of various productions of Avenue Q calling it 'a cross between Sesame Street and South Park!' And you'll see news outlets all over the country posting announcements that Sesame Street Live is coming to their town's big venue.

And then there are the bloggers – oh, the bloggers! You'll see a thousand different lists of the all-time greatest Sesame songs. It's almost as if everyone has an opinion on what makes the perfect Sesame song (I personally love 'Rubber Duckie').

When you're signed up to receive Google alerts for the phrase 'Sesame Street,' there are a few items you come to expect to see repeatedly: reviews of Avenue Q, announcements about upcoming Sesame Street Live shows, and – of course – lists of the greatest Sesame songs. But amidst all this noise, I'm grateful for the memories that Sesame Street has given me, both on screen and off.

So next time you're tempted to take a closer look at that iconic Sesame Street sign, remember: there's more to the show than meets the eye – or ear, for that matter. There are stories waiting to be uncovered, characters to be explored, and lessons to be learned. And who knows? You might just discover a whole new side of Sesame Street that you never knew existed.

Sesame street look a little closer