Sonia Manzano, the actress who embodied Maria on Sesame Street for an impressive 44 years, holds a special place in the hearts of generations who grew up with the iconic children’s program. For many, Maria wasn’t just a character; she was a comforting presence, a relatable figure who navigated the complexities of life right alongside her young viewers. This interview delves into Manzano’s experiences, her reflections on Sesame Street’s evolution, and the lasting impact of Maria on both the show and her own life.
Alt text: A warm and engaging Sonia Manzano as Maria from Sesame Street, interacting with several Sesame Street puppet characters, highlighting her long-term role in children’s television.
Born in the 1970s, interviewer Molly Foran Yurchak, like many others, formed a deep connection with Sesame Street and Maria. When given the opportunity to interview Sonia Manzano for Montessori Life, Yurchak initially hesitated, overwhelmed by the significance Maria held in her childhood. This wasn’t just an interview; it was a conversation with a childhood icon.
Sesame Street, a constant for decades, has undergone significant shifts in recent years. Moving from its long-time home on public television to HBO for new episodes, with a delayed release on public channels, marked a significant change. The shift to 30-minute episodes from the original hour-long format, along with the departure of beloved long-time cast members, sparked discussions about the show’s direction and its connection to its original audience.
Despite these changes, the essence of Sesame Street, embodied by characters like Maria, remains potent for those who grew up with the show. Yurchak, representing a generation deeply impacted by Sesame Street, voiced concerns echoed in a New Yorker piece suggesting the show might be losing its original heart in its efforts to adapt to contemporary children. Manzano resonated with this sentiment, acknowledging the profound connection her generation feels to the show.
“I think she really nailed it,” Manzano stated, referring to the New Yorker article. “The bad feeling that you’re feeling—it’s people your age who were mostly affected by the show. It’s remarkable.”
Alt text: Nostalgic image of Sonia Manzano as Maria and Bob McGrath as Bob on Sesame Street, capturing the warmth and familiar faces that shaped childhoods.
Yurchak poignantly described her childhood connection to Sesame Street, growing up in a divorced family with limited financial resources in Buffalo, New York. For her, Sesame Street wasn’t just a show; it mirrored her life, offering a sense of belonging and reality. Combined with her Montessori education and programs like “Free to Be…You and Me,” Sesame Street delivered a powerful message of inclusivity and understanding, shaping a generation’s worldview. She recognized Sonia Manzano and Sesame Street as central to this movement of positive change in children’s media.
Manzano fondly recalled Montessori’s influence even before Sesame Street, appreciating its innovative approach to education, fostering individual learning paces and peer support within diverse age groups. She acknowledged the era of openness and creativity that characterized Yurchak’s upbringing, contrasting it with a perceived sense of closure in contemporary society.
The conversation expanded to broader societal themes, touching upon the political landscape with Hillary Clinton’s nomination and the rise of divisive figures. Yurchak drew parallels between the dichotomies of the political climate and the themes explored in Manzano’s memoir, “Becoming Maria.” The memoir delves into Manzano’s complex childhood, navigating a home impacted by alcoholism and violence, and grappling with ambivalent feelings towards her father.
Manzano embraced the concept of ambivalence as a crucial tool for understanding complex emotions, particularly for children who often seek clear-cut answers. She highlighted the importance of teaching children that holding contradictory feelings simultaneously is valid and human.
Connecting “Becoming Maria” back to educational philosophies, Yurchak drew a parallel to Maria Montessori’s emphasis on children making sense of fragmented sensory information to create order. Montessori classrooms and materials are designed to facilitate this process of individual discovery and understanding. Manzano agreed, emphasizing that a child’s order is unique to them, not imposed by adults. She lamented the current testing obsession in education, which often overlooks children’s individual thought processes and focuses on standardized, uniform learning, a stark contrast to the Montessori “learn at your own pace” philosophy and the original spirit of Sesame Street.
Alt text: Sonia Manzano, author of “Becoming Maria,” pictured with her memoir, highlighting her transition from acting to writing and her exploration of personal history.
Manzano reflected on a philosophical shift within Sesame Street itself. She observed that initially, the show aimed to equip children with tools to understand and navigate their world – the natural world, social interactions, and basic life facts. However, she perceived a change towards focusing on equipping children with tools for success within a pre-defined world, a subtle but significant difference in approach.
Addressing the format changes and move to HBO, Manzano acknowledged the sadness associated with reduced accessibility for some viewers, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds who relied on public television for access to Sesame Street. She framed it as a reflection of changing societal values, where compassion and public support for initiatives like Sesame Street are less readily available in a more commercially driven environment. She then brought in Hillary Clinton’s past advocacy for limiting marketing to children, highlighting a shared concern for protecting children’s access to quality, uncommercialized content.
Yurchak recalled Sesame Street’s early messages of inherent worth conveyed through simple segments like “brought to you by the letter C,” contrasting it with the pervasive commercialism in other children’s programming.
Returning to “Becoming Maria,” Yurchak highlighted Manzano’s exploration of childhood invisibility and a pivotal moment of recognition when learning to read became transformative. This led to a discussion about how Manzano developed self-assertion and gained visibility. Manzano described it as an intuitive rejection of invisibility, a sense of “I’m standing right in front of you. Don’t you see me?” She shared an anecdote about her mother’s simple yet profound explanation of war, illustrating a childhood environment where complex realities were addressed directly and honestly, fostering a sense of inclusion and understanding.
Manzano’s ability to connect with children was further highlighted by her Sesame Street audition, where she was asked to tell a scary story. She observed a shift away from such content in contemporary children’s programming, suggesting a potential reason why her generation holds Sesame Street in such high regard – its willingness to acknowledge that life isn’t always “pretty.” Sesame Street, in its early days, intentionally avoided condescending tones and syrupy sweetness, aiming for authenticity and reflecting the real world, imperfections and all.
Anecdotes of slightly scary or unsettling segments from early Sesame Street, like the baker falling down the stairs, were shared, emphasizing the show’s earlier willingness to navigate a wider range of emotions and experiences. Manzano noted a shift towards greater sensitivity and a potentially overly cautious approach in current children’s media, where even minor concerns can lead to content being removed.
When asked about feminism and activism, Manzano identified as an activist, albeit one who “fell into it.” However, Yurchak pointed out that 44 years of dedication to Sesame Street suggests a deeper, more resonant mission. Manzano clarified that her activism consistently centered around improving children’s lives. She emphasized the growing diversity of the child population, including children from war-torn regions, and the importance of diverse perspectives in problem-solving and creating a more inclusive society.
Manzano’s involvement with the Bronx River Alliance exemplified her commitment to community and bridging divides, connecting affluent and impoverished communities in a shared environmental cause. She highlighted the diverse group of people involved in the alliance, united by a common goal but bringing varied experiences and perspectives to the table, fostering understanding and collaborative solutions.
Reflecting on her Bronx upbringing, Manzano acknowledged a youthful desire to leave, followed by a later-life pull back to her roots, particularly through her writing. Writing, for Manzano, became a pursuit of truth, aiming to connect with readers on a deeper level through honesty and authenticity, contrasting with generic approaches that reach fewer people.
Sesame Street’s initial goal of Latin American representation in casting Maria was acknowledged, but Manzano emphasized that her impact extended far beyond representation. She resonated with all children by being genuinely herself, reflecting the real people and experiences in their own lives.
Looking back at her career trajectory from Carnegie Mellon, to Godspell, and then Sesame Street, Manzano reflected on early movie opportunities that didn’t pan out. She had come to terms with those perceived failures, recognizing that she simply wasn’t ready at that time and that timing plays a crucial role in life’s journey.
Manzano shared her mother’s unwavering support and pride in her success, even if her mother didn’t fully grasp the nuances of her career. Shared moments of laughter with her mother watching Ernie and Bert highlighted the timeless and universal humor of Sesame Street, accessible across cultures and educational backgrounds.
Sesame Street’s groundbreaking approach to tackling complex topics like pregnancy and breastfeeding was discussed. Manzano recalled the positive reception to breastfeeding on the show at the time, contrasting it with contemporary controversies surrounding breastfeeding in public. She mentioned Buffy Sainte-Marie’s earlier breastfeeding on television as a precedent and a testament to bold female figures.
When asked about influential figures during her Sesame Street tenure, Manzano highlighted Raul Julia’s ability to command attention and handle unexpected moments with children on set. She also credited producers Jon Stone and Dulcy Singer for their leadership and their philosophy of hiring talented individuals and then empowering them to contribute their unique perspectives. Singer’s advice to “Hire the people you can afford with your budget. Get the best people for the money that you’ve got and then stay out of their way” resonated with Montessori principles of trusting the process and empowering individuals.
The conversation circled back to Montessori philosophy and the role of the teacher as a guide rather than a director. Manzano drew a humorous contrast with overly directive parenting styles, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to guide and when to allow children to make their own choices without causing undue stress or anxiety.
Manzano contrasted American values of independence and “thinking outside the box” with cultures that prioritize obedience and conformity. She acknowledged the challenge of fostering individual expression in diverse cultural contexts and stressed the importance of helping all children, including inner-city kids, experience small successes and build confidence through everyday tasks, rather than solely focusing on grand, often unattainable, dreams.
The interview concluded by reflecting on the ending of “Becoming Maria,” which leaves the reader at Manzano’s Sesame Street audition, awaiting the outcome. When asked about her next chapter, Manzano affirmed her commitment to writing, seeing it as a powerful medium to synthesize her life experiences. She appreciates the solitary nature of writing and the creative control it offers, contrasting it with the collaborative nature of television production. Her daily writing practice and her enthusiasm for sharing her work underscored her passion for this new chapter in her creative life.
Alt text: Sonia Manzano engaging with readers at a book signing event, demonstrating her continued connection with audiences beyond her role as Maria on Sesame Street.
Sonia Manzano’s journey as Maria on Sesame Street is more than just a television role; it’s a testament to the power of authentic representation, the enduring impact of educational children’s programming, and the evolving career of a woman who continues to inspire and connect with audiences through her writing and her unwavering commitment to children. Her legacy as Maria will undoubtedly continue to resonate for generations to come.
