IMAGINE THAT!

THE SESAME STREET MUSIC OF JOE RAPOSO & JEFF MOSS

JULY, 2020

Award-winning Broadway, film, and television actor and advocate for the blind, Rena Strober, is thrilled to announce the August 28 release of her new family album, Imagine That! The Sesame Street Music of Joe Raposo & Jeff Moss.

The album sparkles with contributions from such luminaries as Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), French Stewart (Mom, 3rd Rock from the Sun), Michael-Leon Wooley (The Princess and the Frog), Deborah Grausman (“Smartie” on Sesame Street), acclaimed opera singer Cristina Jones (the “Blind Soprano”), and DOTZ, The Blind Children’s Choir.

These iconic songs inspire decades of fond memories, yet are as engaging as ever for new little ears. They deserve the luxury treatment they get from this wildly talented, top-of-their-game team coming together to put on a classy show filled with a cheerful Broadway sense of style.

The many facets of this project coalesced via the trio of Fred Mollin, William “Chip” Beaman of Knighthawk Digital Entertainment Group, and the extraordinary vision of Broadway singer/producer Rena Strober, who says, “What the world needs now, more than ever, is the music of Sesame Street. We need to be reminded that being kind is simple and being ‘different’ is beautiful. No matter what your abilities or disabilities, if you ‘Believe in Yourself,’ you can do anything!”

Producer Fred Mollin (Rita Wilson, Linda Ronstadt, Lyle Lovett, Billy Joel, Steve Webb, and many others) has shaped Imagine That! The Sesame Street Music of Joe Raposo & Jeff Moss with sensitivity and skill to create an overall powerful unity of sound, style, and concept, with each track basking in the strength of its own completeness.

“Fred and I just poured over all the Joe Raposo and Jeff Moss songbooks,” continues Rena Strober, “We wanted to find all the lyrics about human kindness, the music that brought us total joy, and the ideal showcase pieces for my special guests. As soon as I heard ‘I’m an Aardvark,’ for example, I knew I wanted Jason Alexander to sing it! I also wanted songs that, when sung by my blind friends, would mean more than when they were sung by anyone else.”

Upon speaking with Rena, whom I have known for many years, I realized that her drive, her passion, and her innate desire to be a supporting voice, especially to the blind community, is what we needed,” said William “Chip” Beaman, CEO of Knighthawk Digital Entertainment Group. “Later, when she proposed producing this album, she didn’t ask “how can we do this?” She said “I’m doing this. The world needs this. My daughter needs this.” I knew nothing would get in the way of her bringing such an amazing album to light”. He added “Knighthawk DEG is truly honored to assist in the creation of this album and to support two worthy charities – Gavin’s Groupies and Guide Dogs of America“.

Highlights include Rena Strober’s exquisite vocals on “Imagine That!,” “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon,” “Being Green,” “Sing,” “To Love a Child,” and “Imagination,” which show off her delightful storytelling charm. French Stewart and Jason Alexander bring their adorable humor to “I’m Pretty/I’m an Aardvark,” while Rena Strober and Jason Alexander make a perfect boy/girl duet of “Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers.” DOTZ, The Blind Children’s Choir shines on “Sing,” “Believe in Yourself,” “What Makes Music?,” “One Small Voice,” and “To Love a Child,” and Cristina Jones, Rena Strober, and Michael-Leon Wooley offer a rousing rendition of “High Middle Low,” enhanced in this version by musical saw, washboard, plectrum banjo, and tuba!

 Rena Strober & special guests Jason Alexander, French Stewart, Michael-Leon Wooley, and Cristina Jones (the “Blind Soprano”) with DOTZ, The Blind Children’s Choir

 “My family and I were thrilled to work with Rena Strober to bring this wonderful album to life. My father dedicated his life to respecting and nurturing all children, of every ability and heritage, everywhere.”

 – Nick Raposo

Imagine That! The Sesame Street Music of Joe Raposo & Jeff Moss is being released in celebration of National Guide Dog Month in September. A portion of the proceeds from all digital and hard copy sales of the album will go to Guide Dogs of America and the Gavin R. Stevens Foundation, whose mission is to find a treatment and cure for blindness, focusing on Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA).

Knighthawk Digital Entertainment Creative Director, Rena Strober is an actor/singer/educator/advocate for the blind, known for her Broadway performances (Cosette in Les Miserables) and TV and film credits, as well as an extensive list of animated roles in cartoons and video games. Most kids know her from her recurring role on Disney’s Liv & Maddie, and parents might recognize her from TV shows like VEEP and Shameless. Rena taught singing for five years at The Academy of Music for the Blind in Reseda, CA and continues to teach voice lessons to blind and sighted children in her Los Angeles home. She cites theatrical and musical influences as varied as Alan Menken, Stephen Sondheim, Jim Henson, Mel Brooks, Sid Caesar, Madeline Kahn, Carol Burnett, Gilda Radner, The Barry Sisters, and writers Terrence McNally and Wendy Wasserstein. Rena, the proud mother of three-year-old Isadora “Izzy” Rose, says, “My biggest job is making sure I raise a strong and kind daughter.”

Imagine That! The Sesame Street Music of Joe Raposo & Jeff Moss will be available at renastrober.bandcamp.com and at all major online outlets.

Early Release: July 28, 2020

Release Date: August 28, 2020

SRP: $14.99 CD (with braille cover) or $9.99 digital download

For all ages

Producers: Fred Mollin, Rena Strober, William “Chip” Beaman of Knighthawk Digital Entertainment Group