Jim Henson News

La MaMa in association with Loco7 Dance Puppet Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Urban Odyssey, a dance puppet theatre piece conceived by Federico Restrepo and Denise Greber, designed, directed and choreographed by Federico Restrepo, with original music composed by Obie Award Winner Elizabeth Swados, and text by Elias Khoury. Loco7 is celebrating their 25th Anniversary season this year. Urban Odyssey, part of La MaMa's 50th Anniversary season, runs Off-Broadway through April 8, 2012 in a limited engagement at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre, located at 66 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue & the Bowery in New York City.

Lunatic Cunning is an original, new work by James Godwin, puppetry and performance art pioneer and founder of puppet comedy troupe, The Elementals. Lunatic Cunning is a solo, semi-autobiographical 'mockumentary', mixing experiences from Godwin's own life - such as work with Julie Taymor on Across the Universe, as well as appearances on Saturday Night Live, Chappelle's Show, PBS and with the Muppets--with an examination of the occult roots of puppetry and performance art.

Avenue Q was the winner of the TONY "Triple Crown" for BEST MUSICAL, BEST SCORE and BEST BOOK in 2003. Director Robert D. Nation, will bring this deliciously naughty hit musical with its irresistible charm to Andrews Living Arts, 23 NW 5th St. Fort Lauderdale, 33301, beginning on April 6 for an unlimited run. With 2,534 performances, Avenue Q ranks 21st on the list of longest running shows in Broadway history.

Broadway In Chicago has just announced the complete 2012-2013 subscription series. The upcoming season will include I LOVE LUCY® LIVE ON STAGE, KINKY BOOTS, SISTER ACT, DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL, WAR HORSE and PETER PAN. Off-season specials include STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG, ROCK OF AGES, RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES and LES MISÉRABLES. The 2012-2013 Season Series emphasizes Broadway In Chicago's long-standing commitment of bringing the best of Broadway to Chicago. The complete season line-up, including performances dates and venues, is as follows:

Comic Book Club's new show, COMIC BOOK CLUB LIVE, will premiere on the Nerdist YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/nerdist) on April 2, 2012. Based on Comic Book Club's live shows in New York City, the series will showcase hosts and the hottest guests discussing comics in a talk show format.

La MaMa, in association with Loco7 Dance Puppet Theatre Company, presents the World Premiere of Urban Odyssey. Conceived by Federico Restrepo and Denise Greber, Urban Odyssey depicts the experience of immigration to America through movement and visual theatre. A part of La MaMa's 50th Anniversary season, Urban Odyssey is a limited engagement run at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 East 4th Street) from March 22 - April 8, 2012.

On Saturday, March 31, 2012, producer Ken Davenport (Godspell) will present a private industry reading of the new musical SOMEWHERE IN TIME, based on the 1980 Universal Motion Picture of the same name by Richard Matheson.

Avenue Q was the winner of the TONY "Triple Crown" for BEST MUSICAL, BEST SCORE and BEST BOOK in 2003. Director Robert D. Nation, will bring this deliciously naughty hit musical with its irresistible charm to Andrews Living Arts, 23 NW 5th St. Fort Lauderdale, 33301, beginning on April 6 for an unlimited run. With 2,534 performances, Avenue Q ranks 21st on the list of longest running shows in Broadway history.

NBC will launch NBC Kids, a new Saturday morning programming block designed specifically to address the developmental needs of preschool-aged children, premiering on Saturday, July 7. Programmed by the kids experts at Sprout, the nation's first 24-hour preschool television channel, this new three-hour block will feature educational series that promote active, healthy lifestyles for younger children.

According to Deadline.com, Jim Henson Co is developing off-Broadway's ImaginOcean, which recently played New World Stages, into a television show. Creator John Tartaglia will executive produce the animated series.

On Saturday, March 31, 2012, producer Ken Davenport (Godspell) will present a private industry reading of the new musical SOMEWHERE IN TIME, based on the 1980 Universal Motion Picture of the same name by Richard Matheson.

La MaMa in association with Loco7 Dance Puppet Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of URBAN ODYSSEY, a dance puppet theatre piece conceived by Federico Restrepo and Denise Greber, designed, directed and choreographed by Federico Restrepo, with original music composed by Obie Award Winner Elizabeth Swados, and text by Elias Khoury.

La MaMa in association with Loco7 Dance Puppet Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of URBAN ODYSSEY, a dance puppet theatre piece conceived by Federico Restrepo and Denise Greber, designed, directed and choreographed by Federico Restrepo, with original music composed by Obie Award Winner Elizabeth Swados, and text by Elias Khoury.

La MaMa in association with Loco7 Dance Puppet Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Urban Odyssey, a dance puppet theatre piece conceived by Federico Restrepo and Denise Greber, designed, directed and choreographed by Federico Restrepo, with original music composed by Obie Award Winner Elizabeth Swados, and text by Elias Khoury. Loco7 is celebrating their 25th Anniversary season this year. Urban Odyssey, part of La MaMa's 50th Anniversary season, runs Off-Broadway from March 22 - April 8, 2012 in a limited engagement at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre, located at 66 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue & the Bowery in New York City. Previews begin March 22 for a March 24 opening.

Comic Book Club's new show, COMIC BOOK CLUB LIVE, will premiere on the Nerdist YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/nerdist) on April 2, 2012. Based on Comic Book Club's live shows in New York City, the series will showcase hosts and the hottest guests discussing comics in a talk show format.

The Little Angel Puppet Theatre in London has announced its adult (12+) programme up to July 2012. Highlights include Matthew Robins at Little Angel and the Puppet Makers Course.

Goodspeed Musicals will "coax the blues right out 'a the horn" with its much-anticipated new production of Mame. The bold and brassy musical comedy will run from April 20 - July 1 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Mame will be sponsored by Liberty Bank, Mohegan Sun, and The Shops at Mohegan Sun. [Official Press Opening will be May 9, 2012.] Come along for the madcap adventures of Auntie Mame and her adoring nephew. Surrounded by an eccentric cast of characters, she celebrates the Roaring 20s, overcomes tragedy and sails through life without missing a fad or a dance step. Jerry Herman's delightful score is packed with favorites "Bosom Buddies," "We Need a Little Christmas" and more. Brimming with optimism and zest, Mame will keep you laughing while warming your heart!

Carl Goodman, Executive Director of Museum of the Moving Image, today announced a seven-week extension for Jim Henson's Fantastic World, the Smithsonian traveling exhibition that explores the creative process of the world-renowned puppeteer, filmmaker, and television pioneer.

Wendy Kaplan, President of MadKap Productions, announced today that the riveting new production CLUTTER: The True Story of the Collyer Brothers Who Never Threw Anything Out will make its Midwest Premiere at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Ave., previewing January 19; opening Friday, January 20; and closing March 11, 2012.