AP Exclusive: New Latin for "Sesame Street" - The Miami Herald

class=”dateline”> NEW YORK – Puppets “Sesame Street” delighted Ismael Cruz in its infancy, and also taught English. I did not expect the young Puerto Rican actor is that two decades after talk and play with them in front of cameras as the new Hispanic character of the popular children’s program.

“It’s magical. ‘Sesame Street’ is a magical place. Whether you’re working there or if you are visiting, or if you see it on TV, do not lose that magic,” said Cruz, 26, told The Associated Press. “It’s like the first time you see it, as I grew up watching the show, and for me it was a site that actually existed and who aspired to get as a child, a place so diverse, that I saw in the faces of the people who were there. Being on set now is that, but with camera. “

Cruz plays the role of Armando (“Command”, as everyone calls him), a writer Hispanic New York borough of Brooklyn that produces all kinds of creative writing, from short stories and essays to movie scripts. He also loves technology and social networks, said Cruz.

With the addition of “Control”, the PBS KIDS program expands its Hispanic cast of characters consisting of Maria (played by Sonia Manzano) and Luis (Emilio Delgado), who debuted on “Sesame Street” in 1971 , both human characters in addition to Rosita, the lovely turquoise monster orange nose, eyebrows pink and huge arms, which debuted in 1993 from the hand of the Mexican puppeteer Carmen Osbahr, and Ovejita.

program wants to be like a reflection of changes in the U.S. population, which is increasingly more Hispanic features.

“I feel incredibly honored to be in a project like ‘Sesame Street’, which is basically a bastion of education, childhood, and so many generations have benefited from that, but I also feel very happy that they take the initiative to include younger characters, “said Cruz. “It’s a program that is always at the forefront, always aware of what happens in the population, then to include a character, young, fresh perspectives, latin, and brings the new generation, as they are continuing with that message. “

The young brown-eyed and curly hair says it has entered into a family that really enjoys but which at the time of recording is important to maintain balance.

“Within logistics are a bit more complicated because there are many things which are not seen, within the team, the puppets, monitors, and I have to learn to literally walk around the set without bumping into things that are on the floor, “laughed Cruz, who admitted that sometimes hair Rosita, Elmo and Cookie Monster gives some allergies.

“Control” will debut on the 44th season of the show that is produced in the United States and which starts on September 16 in this country. The popular children’s series is derived versions in countries like Israel, Nigeria, Germany and Mexico, which produces “Sesame Street.”

Cruz grew up in Aguas Buenas, in the midst of a poor family, and his mother tune the program for your child to learn English. In addition to studying music, Cruz dreamed of being an actor and gained access to the Tisch School of Arts at the University of New York. Before “Sesame Street” played the role of Jimmy Patrick on the American television series “The Good Wife” and acted in films like “In The Blood”, “White Alligator” and “Chaser”. The actor has already won an award HOLA and ACE Award for his portrayal of Julius Caesar in the play off-Broadway “Light a cigarette”.

casting for the role of new character attracted hundreds of bilingual candidates in August.

“When he left the famous call for the new character of ‘Sesame Street’ … I had not seen. were many people who knew me and read the description of what he was looking for and I got many messages through Facebook, email and text messages saying, ‘You have to do the casting, this is perfect for you.’ And so I began the process, “said Cruz.

program whose producers say attempts to reflect the diversity of the population, African Americans have characters like Gordon (played by Roscoe Orman), Susan (Loretta Long) or Chris (Christopher Lawrence Knowings). Leela also has Indian and (Nitya Vidyasagar) or Asian-Americans like Alan (Alan Muraoka).

Cruz declined to comment on the recent controversy following the resignation of puppeteer Kevin Clash, who gave life to Elmo for years in the program and who last year faced allegations of having sex with minors.

Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer of “Sesame Street”, said she and her team immediately knew that Ishmael was the perfect addition “to the neighborhood.”

“have a passion for creative expression and a warmth that is transmitted through the camera,” Parente said through a statement.

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