Elmo is one of the most beloved characters of all time, but who is the man behind the shaggy red star of Sesame Street? As a child, Kevin Clash was enthralled by puppets and dreamed of one day working with Jim Henson, visionary creator of the Muppets. Today, he not only plays the role of Elmo, he is also a mentor for puppeteers around the world, revered as a genius. It is clear from observing Clash what an art form puppetry is, how the slight shift in muscle placement and pacing can bring a character to life. Elmo was a minor character on Sesame Street until Clash took him up, changed his voice to a falsetto, and transformed him into a lovable, furry, pronoun-challenged sensation. Tracing Clash’s rapid ascent from local television to working with the Muppets, the film also gives us a privileged look behind the scenes of Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop. With fascinating archival footage, narration by Whoopie Goldberg, and an endearing puppeteer for its subject, Being Elmo is a delight for all ages.  ST