Sesame Street Presents: A Christmas Carol

Sesame Street Presents: A Christmas Carol is a Sesame Street Christmas special which aired on PBS on November 25, 2020. As the title implies, it is an adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, with the story's characters portrayed by the Muppets of Sesame Street, led by Oscar the Grouch as Ebenezer Scrooge, and Elmo as Tiny Tim. As such, it is portrayed in a nature darker than most Sesame Street productions, containing some scenes too scary for children under 7, and multiple references to death (as in the original book).

The puppet used for Oscar as Scrooge in this special was built by The Jim Henson Company's L.A. Creature Shop, based on the design of the current Oscar puppet. The puppet is built with a lighter shade of green fur than the regular puppet, a magenta tongue, a darker brown brow, and has radio-controlled eyes (operated by two extra puppeteers). Eric Jacobson (who performed the Grouch's head, mouth, voice and left hand) was assisted in performing Oscar on-set by Jim Henson Company puppeteers Colleen Smith (performing his right hand and lead puppetry whenever Jacobson performed another character), Grant Baciocco, Russ Walko (operating his eye controls), Donna Kimball (right-handing Smith), Dorien Davies, and Rachel Herrick (controlling his legs in scenes where his full body is shown).

Moishe Oofnik as Marley's Ghost was also an elaborate puppet. Tyler Bunch served as Oofnik's main puppeteer, performing his head, mouth (lip-syncing to a vocal track by Gilles Ben-David) and left hand, assisted by ventriloquist Darci Lynne (his right hand), puppeteers John Kennedy, BJ Guyer (his mechanised eyes), and David Quesal (his legs).

Plot
The special begins with a powerful blizzard on Sesame Street. Elmo and his friends, safe and warm inside Elmo's apartment, decide to listen to a Christmas story. Trevor Monster, after passing on 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, picks up A Christmas Carol, a story he praises as "a timeless holiday classic." After everyone is settled down, Trevor turns to the first page.

Trevor begins reading the story as we travel to mid-19th century London. We are introduced to miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who bitterly walks to his rundown accounting firm, Scrooge & Marley. The only other employee at his firm is his neglected clerk, Bob Cratchit, who is given the unenviable task of paying Scrooge's taxes. Scrooge's nephew, jolly and optimistic Fred, asks him to come over for Christmas dinner. He refuses, still bitter over Fred getting married and asking why he still celebrates a merry Christmas in spite of being poor, to which Fred asks why so Scrooge is so grouchy in spite of his wealth. Fred then gives a rousing speech about still wishing to celebrate the holidays even though he receives little to no pay, to which Scrooge sarcastically asks why Fred doesn't pursue a political career. After Fred exits, two charity collectors arrive to ask for a donation from Scrooge to help children in need of a home and food. Scrooge refuses, certain they'll be taken in by prisons and workhouses, both of which are still in business. When the collectors try to tell Scrooge that many children would rather die instead, Scrooge snaps at them, "Then they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population!" The mortified gentlemen leave, past a young caroler outside Scrooge's door. An annoyed Scrooge asks Cratchit if he wants Christmas Day off, calling the holiday "a poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every 25th of December." The latter tells him it's only once a year, and Scrooge relents, but tells the clerk to arrive early the next morning. As Scrooge returns home, he grumpily observes townspeople acting merrily and playing; Scrooge even ruins the fun for some people ("I Hate Christmas").

Finally, the miser reaches his house, but as he walks up the stairs and reaches for his door knocker, it morphs into the face of Scrooge's deceased partner, Jacob Marley, which scares Scrooge into falling down the stairs. Giving an indignant "Humbug", Scrooge enters his house, and walks to his room, where he eats tuna and gherkin porridge by an open fire. Suddenly, bells all over his room begin to ring on their own, much to Scrooge's horror.

Cast
Oscar the Grouch (Eric Jacobson) as Ebenezer Scrooge

Elmo (Ryan Dillon) as Tiny Tim

Elmo's Dad (Bill Barretta) as Bob Cratchit

Grover (Eric Jacobson) as Nephew Fred/Christmas Party Waiter

Moishe Oofnik (puppeteered by Tyler Bunch, voiced by Gilles Ben-David) as Jacob Marley

Grundgetta (Pam Arciero) as Belle

Abby Cadabby (Leslie Carrara-Rudolph) as the Ghost of Christmas Past

Count Von Count (Matt Vogel) as the Ghost of Christmas Present

Trevor Monster (puppeteered by Karen Prell, voiced by Mark Hamill) as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

Ernie (Peter Linz) as Mr. Fezziwig

Elmo's Mom (Stephanie D'Abruzzo) as Mrs. Cratchit

Baby Bear (David Rudman) as Peter Cratchit

Betty Lou (Pam Arciero) as Belinda Cratchit

Zoe (Jennifer Barnhart) as Martha Cratchit

Rosita (Carmen Osbahr) as Mrs. Dilber

Big Bird (puppeteered by Noel MacNeal, voiced by Matt Vogel) as Scrooge's Schoolmaster

Julia (Stacey Gordon) as Fan

Prairie Dawn (Stephanie D'Abruzzo) as Mrs. Fezziwig

Bert (Eric Jacobson) as Dick Wilkins

Slimey (puppeteered by Martin P. Robinson, voiced by Dick Maitland) as Boy with Sled

Mr. Snuffleupagus (Martin P. Robinson) as Old Joe

Rudy (Frankie Cordero) as Topper

Cookie Monster (David Rudman) as Charity Collector #1

Gonger (puppeteered by John Tartaglia, voiced by Warrick Brownlow-Pike) as Charity Collector #2

Herry Monster (Peter Linz) as Gentleman #1

Telly Monster (Martin P. Robinson) as Gentleman #2

Murray Monster (Matt Vogel) as Gentleman #3

Baby Natasha (Ryan Dillon) as Caroline

Ingrid (John Tartaglia) as Caroline's Mom

Humphrey (David Rudman) as Caroline's Dad

Benny Rabbit (Tyler Bunch) as Man Carrying Turkey

Little Bird (Stephanie D'Abruzzo) as Parrot

Ovejita (Carmen Osbahr) as Undertaker

Mr. Johnson (Matt Vogel) as Party Customer

Two-Headed Monster (Eric Jacobson and David Rudman) as Carriage Driver

Lefty the Salesman (Ryan Dillon) as Himself

Roosevelt Franklin (puppeteered by Ryan Dillon, voiced by Chris Knowings) as Caroling Boy

Barkley (Bruce Connelly) as Stray Dog

Kermit the Frog (Matt Vogel) as Himself

Miss Piggy (Eric Jacobson) as Herself

Bear (Noel MacNeal) as Himself

Gobo Fraggle (John Tartaglia) as Himself

Red Fraggle (Karen Prell) as Herself

Wembley Fraggle (Frankie Cordero) as Himself

Mokey Fraggle (Kathryn Mullen) as Herself

Boober Fraggle (Dave Goelz) as Himself

Uncle Travelling Matt (Dave Goelz) as Himself

Additional Performers: Brad Abrell, Rachel Appelbaum, Anthony Asbury, Heather Asch, Steve Axtell, Grant Baciocco (Oscar Assistant Puppeteer), Greg Ballora, David Barclay, Billy Barkhurst, Lawrence Basgall, Jake Bazel, Nate Begle, Tau Bennett, Carol Binion, Ronald Binion, Tim Blaney, Cheryl Blaylock, Rickey Boyd, Lindsey Z. Briggs, Lee Bryan, Lisa Buckley, Julianne Buescher, Kevin Carlson, Raymond Carr, Brian Carson, Charles Chiodo, Edward Chiodo, Stephen Chiodo, Ceili Clemens, Josh Cohen, Austin Michael Costello, Melissa Creighton, Carole D'Agostino, Dorien Davies (Oscar Assistant Puppeteer), Alice Dinnean, Jamie Donmoyer, Ben Durocher, Vicki Kenderes Eibner, Jodi Eichelberger, Artie Esposito, Darci Lynne Farmer (Oofnik Assistant Puppeteer), David Matthew Feldman, Roberto Ferreira, David Fino, Tom Fisher, Galen Fott, Mark Gale, Aymee Garcia, Rob Gardner, Cameron Garrity (Abby Assistant Puppeteer), Noah Ginex, James Godwin, Louise Gold (Trevor Assistant Puppeteer), Jerome Green, Alex U. Griffin, BJ Guyer (Oofnik Assistant Puppeteer), Elizabeth Hara, Terri Hardin, David Liebe Hart, Christopher Thomas Hayes, Andy Hayward, Rachel Herrick (Oscar Assistant Puppeteer), Joshua Holden, Patrick Holmes, David Hosay, Bill Remington Hubner, Dave Hulteen Jr., Haley Jenkins, Patrick Johnson (Count Assistant Puppeteer), Scott Johnson, Sean Johnson (Count Assistant Puppeteer), Avery Lee Jones, Ulysses Jones, David Jordan, Nameer El Kadi, Francis Kane, Kate Katz, James Kemp, John Kennedy (Oofnik Assistant Puppeteer), Kathleen Kim, Donna Kimball (Oscar Assistant Puppeteer), Doug Kincaid, Joe Kovacs, Mary Robinette Kowal, Adam Kreutinger (Abby Assistant Puppeteer), Jim Kroupa, Tim Lagasse, Scott Land, Tiffany Lange, Bruce Lanoil, Michael Latini, Jayden Libran, Michael Lisa, Weston Chandler Long, Spencer Lott, Rick Lyon, Lara MacLean, Amanda Maddock, Greg Manion, Alexander Mantia, Boitumelo Betty Maretele, Olga Felgemacher Marin, Jim Martin, Drew Massey, Ed May, Cathy McCullough, Paul McGinnis, Jess McKay, Megan McNerney, Andrew Moriarty, Alison Mork, Kathryn Mullen (Gonger Puppeteer), Paul Louis Muller, Jason Murphy, James Murray, Jim Napolitano, Russell Nauman, Brett O'Quinn, Cynthia Von Orthal, Anney Fresh McKilligan Ozar, Adam Pagdon, Christine Papalexis, Annie Peterle, Marc Petrosino, David Quesal (Oofnik Assistant Puppeteer), Mike Quinn (Trevor Assistant Puppeteer), Abby Roderick, Tim Rose, Joey Rudman, Benjamin Schrader, Michael Schupbach, Michael Schwabe, Tracie Mick Shoemaker, Michelan Sisti, David Skelly, Colleen Smith (Oscar Assistant/Understudy Lead Puppeteer), Jeff Speetjens, Thom Stanley, David Stephens, Neil Sterenberg, Kenny Stevenson, Andy Stone, Norman Tempia, Allan Trautman, Steve Troop, Gabriel Velez, Russ Walko (Oscar Assistant Puppeteer), Robin Walsh, Justin Walters, Steven Widerman, Susan Widerman, Mark Bryan Wilson, James Wojtal, Chase Woolner, Eric Wright, Evy Wright, Matt "Lucky" Yates, Victor Yerrid, Bryant Young (Snuffy Assistant Puppeteer), Connor Asher, Phil Baron, Gene Barretta, David Bizzaro, Mary Brehmer, Jeffrey Breslauer, Matt Brooks, Kristin Charney, Neil Cicierega, Brian Clark, Lisa Consolo, Nathan Danforth, Paul Vincent Davis, Emily DeCola, Bill Diamond, Maxwell Dowie, Tommy Duren, Peggy Etra, Bob Fappiano, Genevieve Flati, Thom Fountain, Dan Garza, Sam Koji Hale, Brian Jones, Andy Rocco Kraft, Matthew Lavin, Mindy Escobar-Leanse, Todd Gerson Levin, Len Levitt, Jon Ludwig, Karen Maruyama, Ted Michaels, Danny Montooth, Kevin Noonchester, Eric Novak, Sarah Oh, Michael Oosterom, Chris Palmieri, Ian Petrella, Felix Pire, Jared Ramirez, Steven Ritz-Barr, Bart P. Roccoberton Jr., Melissa Roja, Misty Rosas, Phoebe Rudman, Carla Rudy, Paul Rugg, Nicolette Santino, Joe Selph, Pam Severns, Benjamin Siemon, James Silson, Scott Silson, Jessica Simon, Trey Stokes, David Strassman, Lisa Sturz, Ian Sweetman, Blair Thomas, Winston Tong, Basil Twist, Tony Urbano, Art Vega, Jack Venturo, Alex Villa, Daniel Weissbrodt, Wayne White, Vanessa Whitney, Scott Woodard, Paul Zaloom

The Baker (Voice) by Jim Henson

The Mad Painter (Voice) by Paul Benedict

Crew
Executive Producer: Benjamin Lehmann

Produced by Ken Scarborough

Screenplay by Christine Ferraro

Based on the book by Charles Dickens

Directed by Jack Jameson

Puppeteer Consultants: Fran Brill, Kevin Clash, Brian Henson, Steve Whitmire

Music by Hans Zimmer

"Keep Christmas with You (All Through the Year)" and "I Hate Christmas": music by Sam Pottle, lyrics by David Axlerod

Puppet Captain: Matt Vogel

Puppet Design Consultant: Ed Christie

Puppets, Costumes & Props by The Jim Henson Company NY Creature Shop: Paul Andrejco, Heather Asch, Lauren Attinello, Carol Binion, Ronald Binion, David Bizzaro, Erin Slattery Black, Cheryl Blaylock, Mary Brehmer, Matthew Brennan, Matt Brooks, Lisa Buckley, Michael Bush, Brian Carson, Ceili Clemens, Frankie Cordero, Melissa Creighton, Carole D'Agostino, Andrea Detwiler, Isabelle Dufour, Ben Durocher, Richard Dyar, Victoria Ellis, Henri Ewaskio, Ed Eyth, Bob Fappiano, Alex "Jurgen" Ferguson, Bob Flanagan, Rob Gardner, Joel Gennari, Vanessa Gifford Gillis, James Godwin, Muriel Stockdale Grabe, Brian Haimes, Tyler Hall, Elizabeth Hara, Paul Hartis, Deb Hertzberg, Michelle Hickey, Joshua Holden, Ann Marie Holdgruen, J. Douglas James, Ulysses Jones, Jean Marie Keevins, Joe Kovacs, Rollie Krewson, Jim Kroupa, Sarah Lafferty, Tim Lagasse, Kari Love, Peter MacKennan, Lara MacLean, Amanda Maddock, Laura Manns, Cathy McCullough, Tom McLaughlin, Megan McNerney, Casey Miller, Thomas O. Newby, Colette Nickola, Danielle Obinger, John Orberg, Anney Fresh McKilligan Ozar, Constance Peterson, Jane Pien, Lily Rosen, Stephen Rotondaro, Kate Rusek, Sierra Schoening, Michael Schupbach, Jessica Simon, Polly Smith, Keely Snook, David Valentine, Jason Weber, Stacey Weingarten, Julie Wigg, Matt Withiam, James Wojtal

Production (Jim Henson): Gabriella Degennaro, Jonathan Ehrich, Carolyn Fanelli, Joseph Roddy, Jason Seck

Oscar/Scrooge Puppets & Costumes by The Jim Henson Company LA Creature Shop

Visual Effects & Animation by Industrial Light & Magic, a division of Lucasfilm Ltd.