MUPPETS IN MOSCOW: Translating Sesame Street

Thursday, November 10, 2022 | 6:30 p.m.

$0 | Friedman Family Auditorium

Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street in Russian? When Natasha Lance Rogoff set out to create a version of Sesame Street in post-communist Russia, the literal translation, Ulitsa Sezam, was the easy part. Much harder was the colliding of cultures, intimidation from the Russian mob, and even actual violence in the form of shootings and bombings. Plus Russians initially didn’t even like the Muppets. In her new book Muppets in Moscow, Rogoff reveals a behind-the-scenes look at how her small group of committed, creative idealists worked in unprecedented conditions to deliver messages of tolerance, compassion and cooperation to the children of the former Soviet Union. Join Rogoff for the unexpected crazy true story of adapting the beloved fictional American neighborhood half way around the world to create an original TV show reflecting the culture and values of post-Soviet society.

Muppets in Moscow will be available for sale and signing.