Keeping the clouds away: New military-kid character joins ‘Sesame Street’ lineup - Entertainment, TV, Television - Army Times

Keeping the clouds away: New military-kid character joins ‘Sesame Street’ lineup

Katie isn’t feeling very cheerful on this sunny day on Sesame Street. “I just found out some really big news,” she tells Elmo. “My family is going to be moving to a new base — again!”

Sesame Workshop created the character of 6-year-old Katie, a military child, for its newest free USO traveling tour for military families. She isn’t expected to be a permanent addition to the cast, and that’s probably appropriate to the theme of children adjusting to relocation.

Elmo and his Sesame buddies talk to Katie about keeping in touch with old friends by writing letters and sending emails.

Change can be good and exciting, they tell her, to shake her out of her blue mood. They remind her that no matter what, her friends are there for her. And, they assure her, she will make new friends. Her attitude starts to shift, growing more optimistic until her naturally positive nature prevails.

The 25-minute performances will provide special giveaways and outreach materials geared to military families.

“Relocating to a new place can be difficult for everyone, but especially for military families with young children,” said Sloan Gibson, USO president, in a statement announcing the tour. “That is why this tour is so important and why we proudly stand beside Sesame Workshop to deliver a show that is entertaining and helpful to the children of those who serve.”

Since the Sesame Street/USO tours began in 2008 to help families deal with challenges of deployments and homecomings, Elmo and his friends have logged more than 61,200 miles traveling to 90 bases in 33 states and nine countries, performing 315 shows for more than 192,600 service members and their families.

Performances are scheduled at various bases in Alaska through May 9; Hawaii, May 18-28; Guam, June 10; and South Korea, June 16 to July 1.

After that, the tour will head to Turkey, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Spain. Tour dates for those countries through September are being firmed up. Visit www.uso.org for up-to-date information on times, locations and changes in schedules.