'Sesame Street' characters bring U.S., China together at planetarium

If anyone can shorten the distance between the Chicago area and Beijing, it's Big Bird and Elmo.

The two popular "Sesame Street" characters are headlining an ambitious program in both locations designed to show that no matter where we live, we all look up at the same sky.

"One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure" opens at Chicago's Adler Planetarium Friday, Oct. 17. Its premiere comes a few weeks after the program opened at the Beijing Planetarium in China.

The show is the first collaboration between American and Chinese planetariums.

"It's very exciting," said St. Charles resident Paul Knappenberger, president of the Adler Planetarium. "The timing is right to show that the night sky can be a bridge that connects the U.S. and China."

"One World, One Sky" begins on Sesame Street, where Elmo receives a visit from his friend, Hu Hu Zhu, from China (like Elmo, Hu Hu Zhu is a Muppet). The friends then hook up with Big Bird on a voyage of discovery about the sun, moon and stars.

The program, which is geared toward children age 4 to 6, offers lessons about astronomy, of course, but it also gives the audience a taste of Chinese culture. Hu Hu Zhu will talk about life in his country and introduce some Chinese words to Elmo and Big Bird. The program will be available with both English and Spanish soundtracks.

The Chinese version of the program is the same, except that Elmo visits Hu Hu Zhu from America, rather than the other way around. That program is in Mandarin, with Elmo introducing some English words and songs into it.

Knappenberger said a college classmate of his who worked for the Sesame Workshop suggested the idea for "One World, One Sky" back in 2000. At the time, Adler officials were trying to find ways to attract families with young children, an age group that had become underserved. Educational materials about astronomy will be made available at the program for parents and teachers.

"Most of our programming was for older children," Knappenberger said. "This looked like a perfect way to reach out to the younger kids."

Knappenberger also noted that the program opens at a time of heightened interest in China. That country is becoming a bigger economic player on the world stage, he said, and "One World, One Sky" arrives just a couple of months after millions of Americans watched the summer Olympics in Beijing.

"I know more schools in the city and suburbs are offering Chinese language courses, also," he said. "The timing for this program really seems to be right."

If you go

The "One World, One Sky" exhibit at the Adler Planetarium will use "Sesame Street" characters to teach lessons about science and appreciation of other cultures.

When: "One World, One Sky" will be shown daily starting Friday, Oct. 17. Check adlerplanetarium.org for specific times.

Where: The Definiti Theater at the planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

Tickets: $19 for adults, $15 for children, $17 for seniors. The price includes one show and general admission to the museum.

Information: (312) 922-7827 or adlerplanetarium.org