"In this thrilling debut, television producer and filmmaker Rogoff
recounts her mission to bring Sesame Street to Russian audiences.... The
resulting tale is one of perseverance and creativity that illuminates
how even the most disparate cultures and perspectives can find common
ground." -- Publishers Weekly, Starred Review After the collapse of the
Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the timing appeared perfect to bring
Sesame Street to millions of children living in the former Soviet Union.
With the Muppets envisioned as ideal ambassadors of Western values, no
one anticipated just how challenging and dangerous this would prove to
be. In Muppets in Moscow: The Unexpected Crazy True Story of Making
Sesame Street in Russia, Natasha Lance Rogoff brings this gripping tale
to life. Amidst bombings, assassinations, and a military takeover of the
production office, Lance Rogoff and the talented Moscow team of artists,
writers, musicians, filmmakers, and puppeteers remained determined to
bring laughter, learning, and a new way of seeing the world to children
in Russia, Ukraine and across the former Soviet empire. With a sharp wit
and compassion for her colleagues, Lance Rogoff observes how cultural
clashes colored nearly every aspect of the production--from the show's
educational framework to writing comedy to the new Russian Muppets
themselves--despite the team's common goal. Brimming with insight and
nuance, Muppets in Moscow skillfully explores the post-Soviet societal
tensions that continue to thwart the Russian people's efforts to create
a better future for their country. More than just a story of a
children's show, this book provides a valuable perspective of Russia's
people, their culture, and their complicated relationship with the West
that remains relevant even today.
