At 5-feet-11, Ryan Benetz is the tallest cast member of "Sesame Street: Elmo! Ready for Action," the kiddie production launching today at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

It figures: Benetz portrays Big Bird, who is 8-feet-2 in bare claws, and towers well over his "Sesame Street" buddies.

"I'd be way too tall to play some of the shorter characters," said Benetz, who is ready for action himself. "Elmo!" is in Hono- lulu for 15 shows before hopping to Maui on June 27 (see box).

"I think this is the most rewarding part of my life, creating memorable moments for kids, performing an iconic character on stage," he said. "I mean, everyone grows up with Big Bird and Sesame Street."

In this latest visit to Sesame Street, Super Grover needs help — he loses his superness — and Elmo and the Fabulous Five rally to the rescue.

"Big Bird's role is that he and the rest of the gang have to help Super Grover get his superness back — with proper hygiene, sleep and energy, good nutrition and exercise," Benetz said of the issues the show raises for the kids and their parents.

"We use these lessons (in song) to promote good health," he said.

All the famous faces from the street assemble in this VEE Corp. production, staged in a proscenium setting (unlike early versions, in the round at Blaisdell Arena): Elmo and his Muppet pals Zoe, Rosita, the Telly Monster and even Zoe's pet rock Rocco; plus Bert, Ernie, Oscar, the Cookie Monster, Count Von Count, Baby Bear, Prairie Dawn, Roxy Marie, Lulu and Honker.

The show taps familiar tunes, like "Old MacDonald," "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," and "Splish Splash."

"We all arrived last Monday (June 2), so I've been hanging at the beach, tanning; a bunch of us are having a good time," Benetz said. "This is my first time here, and 'Sesame Street' is definitely a way to experience different cultures."

Benetz was a seasonal hire with Sesame Place, a show in Philadelphia, for three years, as a cast performer and a parade participant. He gravitated to the Big Bird role in November.

"I played different characters at Sesame Place, but when they assign you a character in 'Sesame Street Live,' that's who you always play," he said.

Big Bird, he acknowledged, "is one chapter of my life; when it's time to move on, I'll use this experience for future roles. I'm just out of college (York College of Pennsylvania, with a degree in recreation and leisure administration), so I'm lucky to travel around the globe with this show."

After Maui, the cast moves to Alaska.

"As the Bird, I do my best to portray him as the character you see on TV," Benetz said. "You try to portray him with the movements, the actions, as you remember seeing him."

Only difference: In this show, Big Bird doesn't hop on a unicycle, skate or indulge in some of his favorite pastimes.

Benetz said he's encountered rock-star response from the wee set when they encounter him as Big Bird. "If I were a kid, and see the real Big Bird, I'd get excited, too," he said. "If I were their age, it's really like seeing a rock 'n' roll star. Totally stoked; excited about the dancing. If I were to see my favorite celebrity now, I would go crazy, too."

'SESAME STREET LIVE: ELMO! READY FOR ACTION'

10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today; 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m. tomorrow; 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. June 19-20; 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 21-22

Opening night (7 p.m.), $11 (excluding Gold Circle); all other shows, $12, $18 and $25; a limited number of $35 Gold Circle seats available

877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

Information: 591-2211, www.sesamestreetlive.com

Also: "Elmo!" plays at Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, at 7 p.m. June 27; 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m. June 28; and 1 and 4:30 p.m. June 29; $10, $20, $33, and $48 Gold Circle; 808-242-7469.