Jim Henson News

In celebration of Fraggle Rock's 30th Anniversary, The Jim Henson Company has organized events, contests, and the launch of limited edition merchandise. The Jim Henson Company has partnered with PlayTales, an award-winning children's app developer, on the creation of Fraggle Rock Music Maker. The app is inspired by the unique musical characteristics associated with Jim Henson's popular 'Fraggle Rock' television series.

MUSE/IQUE, known for its inspired, unexpected live music events curated by noted artistic director/conductor Rachael Worby, continues its 'Uncorked Series' with a spotlight on female jazz musicians on Monday, November 11, 2013, 7 pm, at the expansive Avon Distribution Center in Pasadena. The program at Avon, itself long a symbol of female empowerment, opens with a screening of the acclaimed award-winning documentary film The Girls in the Band, which traces the history of women jazz artists from the 1930s through present day, exposing sexism and racism faced by the immensely talented women who broke through primarily male music bastions. Avon, according to Fortune magazine, is the world's fifth largest cosmetic company and second largest direct selling company, with 6.4 million independent sales representatives, primarily female, in more than 140 countries. Capping the evening are an interactive panel discussion with the film's director Judy Chaikin and some of the celebrated artists in the film, moderated by Worby, as well as musical interludes performed by some of the current leading ladies of jazz, including saxophonist Mindi Abair, who has appeared with Josh Groban, Lee Ritenour and the Backstreet Boys, among many others. A complimentary pre-concert cocktail hour for ticket holders, with 'popcorn fare' and music by an all-female jazz ensemble from Westridge High School in Pasadena, begins at 6 pm followed by the 7 pm program.

Off-Broadway's award-winning Irish Repertory Theatre presents the New York premiere A MIND-BENDING EVENING OF BECKETT, a presentation of three of Samuel Beckett's short plays, with direction and puppet design by Bob Flanagan. With a cast that features Sameerah Luqmaan-Harris, Rachel Pickup, Paul Radki and Rebecca Leigh Silverman, A MIND-BENDING EVENING OF BECKETT is currently performing in the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre at the Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) through December 1st. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

But don't go into PUPPET UP expecting to see Kermit and the Gang, this show features none of those Muppets, and instead showcases a group of more 'adult' Puppets who engage directly with the audience, using suggestions from current events and experiences to entertain guests with a unique blend of puppetry, comedy, improvisation and a little dirty fun. The show features a cast of six world-class puppeteers (including Jim Henson's son, Brian) and is suggested for adult audiences only. So you've been warned - no rainbow connection here! Just lots of laughs, some dirty jokes and some incredible puppets.

The New York premiere of A MIND-BENDING EVENING OF BECKETT features the short plays Act Without Words, Breath and Play, at the Irish Repertory Theatre. With direction and puppet design by Bob Flanagan, A MIND-BENDING EVENING OF BECKETT will be performed tonight, October 16th- December 1st in the Irish Rep's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). The press opening is Tuesday, October 22nd.

The New York premiere of A MIND-BENDING EVENING OF BECKETT features the short plays Act Without Words, Breath and Play, at the Irish Repertory Theatre. With direction and puppet design by Bob Flanagan, A MIND-BENDING EVENING OF BECKETT will be performed October 16th- December 1st in the Irish Rep's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). The press opening is Tuesday, October 22nd.

Syfy greenlights an eight episode order for Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge (working title), a competition series featuring ten aspiring creature creators competing to out-imagine one another in a series of challenges where they will build everything from mechanical characters to whimsical beasts, bringing high-end inanimate creature designs to life.

Yesterday's shots included the first #SIP from the Broadway-Bound BEAUTIFUL: THE Carole King MUSICAL and Ryan Steele and Samantha Sturm's final photo from MATILDA; plus posts from KINKY BOOTS, CINDERELLA, THE JUNGLE BOOK and more!

A contemporary riff on an Andean myth, 'A Girl Without Wings' by Jason Williamson, directed by Kathleen Amshoff, is an object theater piece telling the story of a lonely condor who falls in love with a spirited shepherd girl. The play is based on a folktale of the Quechua speaking communities of Ecuador and Peru. IATI Theater and Dramatic Adventure Theatre will present the piece today, October 4 to 27, 2013 as the first production in IATI's newly-renovated facility at 64 East Fourth Street. The story is a fable for all ages and is recommended for ages 8 to 108. This play is presented with support from the Jim Henson Foundation.

In 1962, when Ellen Stewart invited puppet artists from Korea, La MaMa began a long love affair with all things puppetry. The form has been an integral part of La MaMa's artistic vision for more than a half-century. The institution demonstrates the depth and breadth of its commitment with the La MaMa Puppet Series 2013, which, for three weeks (November 7 - 24), fills all three La MaMa theaters with a wide array of productions-both emerging and established artists, from countries around the world, offering something for theatergoers of all ages.

Enter a magical white tent strewn with stars in Denmark's Songs from Above, a charming puppet and object theater performance for ages two through five, presented by The New Victory Theater in Studio 3A/B at the New 42nd Street Studios from November 8 - 17, 2013.

Museum of the Moving Image and The Jim Henson Legacy will celebrate the publication of Jim Henson: The Biography (2013, Ballantine Books), by Brian Jay Jones, with a special event featuring a reception, screenings of rare clips, a panel discussion, and book signing tonight, October 1

The name has changed, but the mission remains the same: entertaining, educating and illuminating. As always, Park City Institute (formerly known as Park City Performing Arts Foundation) serves up a smorgasbord of eclectic, electrifying, awe-inspiring and internationally acclaimed dancers, musicians, family entertainers, speakers, actors and full throttle performance troupes. Park City Institute presents its 17th season at The George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Center for the Performing Arts from October through May. Tickets and season punch cards are currently on sale.

Jennifer Giddens has been named Vice President of Marketing for Sprout, the 24-hour preschool network. Giddens will drive and implement the network's consumer and trade marketing strategy and will create customized marketing campaigns to support both current and new series.

The National Museum of American History received a new donation of more than 20 Jim Henson puppets and props on the anniversary of his birthday—Sept. 24, 1936—from the Henson family. Miss Piggy and the Swedish Chef from The Muppet Show, Bert and Elmo from Sesame Street, and Red Fraggle and Traveling Matt from Fraggle Rock are among the new additions. They will join the museum's current Jim Henson Collection, which includes Oscar the Grouch, Kermit the Frog and the cast of Sam and Friends.

Museum of the Moving Image and The Jim Henson Legacy will celebrate the publication of Jim Henson: The Biography (2013, Ballantine Books), by Brian Jay Jones, with a special event featuring a reception, screenings of rare clips, a panel discussion, and book signing on Tuesday, October 1. Jones's eagerly awaited biography, written with the cooperation of Jim Henson's family, covers the full arc of Henson's all-too-brief life, exploring the creation of the Muppets, Henson's contributions to Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live, his nearly ten-year campaign to bring The Muppet Show to television, and such non-Muppet projects as the richly imagined movies The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.

Inside one man's head, an overworked Mechanic struggles with faulty machinery and the head's other residents, the Personal Demons, to navigate through the day. The Mechanic maintains and operates the machinery that makes it possible for The Man to get out of bed, go to work, have conversations, and otherwise live daily life. The Man's issues, poor judgment, and bad habits chronically make the little Mechanic's job more difficult. When the Personal Demons climb out of the shadows of the Limbic Lobe, all hell breaks loose inside and outside the Head.

'Man of Steel's Henry Cavill joined the gang at SESAME STREET to talk all about respect. Check out the clip below!