THE NEIGHBORHOOD ARCHIVE - All Things Mister Rogers
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Episode 0033

Air Date: April 3, 1968
Previous Episode: 0032
Next Episode: 0034
Purchase/Stream: Amazon

Upon his arrival, Mister Rogers reminds viewers of the Neighborhood Ballet which will be taking place today. The invitation from the previous day is shaped like a ladies' ballet slipper and Mister Rogers tries on a pair of men's slippers.

Having arrived with a bag full of oranges, Mister Rogers takes them to the kitchen where he uses a few to make fresh orange juice. The others he saves to give to those performing in the ballet. Before leaving for the ballet, Mister Rogers sings Let's Be Together Today.

At the ballet company, Mister Rogers meets Nicholas Petrov who is making final preparations for the performance. Mr. Petrov describes the ballet and introduces Bernie Jessol who will also be performing. Mister Rogers takes a tour of the stage area where the performers rehearse as he reads through the ballet story. As the performers prepare for the actual ballet, Mister Rogers talks with Johnny Costa who provides the music for the performance.

The Sad Monster Ballet begins with a young girl playing in the forest with her dog when they are approached by a monster. Clearly frightened by the monster, the girl and her dog take shelter behind a rock. The monster is saddened when he realizes that he has scared them away. The girl refuses to be scared and recognizes that the monster wants to be friendly. Given the opportunity, the monster happily joins the girl as she plays with her dog.

Back at the house, Mister Rogers talks about the different roles the performers played in the ballet and the lesson they taught -- that scary people are often sad on the inside. He sings Let's Be Together Today as he concludes for the day.


Notes

Nicholas Petrov was one of the founding members of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.


Appearing In This Episode


Guests

  • Amy Chomas
  • Bernard Jessol
  • Nicholas Petrov

Songs


Images

                    


Episode Credits

Produced by WQED - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for National Educational Television
NEIGHBORHOOD BALLET
Music Composed by Johnny Costa
Choreographed by Nicholas Petrov
Girl: Amy Chomas
Dog: Bernard Jessol
Monster: Nicholas Petrov
Producer: Fred Rogers
Director: David Fu-Ying Chen
Executive Producer: Paul K. Taff

Production funds for this series were provided by a grant from The Sears-Roebuck Foundation and a children's program fund established by N.E.T. affiliated stations.

© 1968 National Educational Television and Radio Center

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