Goodspeed's EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS Opens 12/17

Due to the overwhelming audience response to this new holiday favorite, Goodspeed Musicals has added two performances to the schedule of the sensational world premiere stage musical based on Jim Henson's classic holiday favorite Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.

It officially opens tonight December 17th, 2008.

The two new performances are Sunday, December 28 and Sunday, January 4 at 6:30 p.m.. Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas runs December 7, 2008, through January 4, 2009, at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut.

As Christmas approaches the world of Frogtown Hollow, Emmet Otter and his Ma can only dream of buying each other gifts. So when a Christmas Eve talent contest is announced, both secretly enter hoping to win the prize money. In a heartwarming twist on "The Gift of the Magi," Emmet and Ma risk all they have and end up with the greatest grand prize of all. Based on director Jim Henson's television feature, this new theatrical adaptation features a lovable mix of actors and puppet characters from The Jim Henson Company and a toe-tapping score, it's a classic holiday musical for all ages!

This world premiere musical is based on the book "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas" by Russell and Lillian Hoban and the ground-breaking all-puppet HBO special of the same name produced and directed by Jim Henson. This production is a unique collaboration among Goodspeed Musicals, co-book writers Timothy A. McDonald of iTheatrics and Christopher Gattelli (Director/Choreographer), Paul Williams who contributed the music and lyrics, and The Jim Henson Company.

The cast includes Broadway veterans Daniel Reichard (Emmet Otter), Cass Morgan (Ma Otter), Alan Campbell (Pa Otter), and Kate Wetherhead (Jane,) Stephen Bienski, Tyler Bunch, Kevin Covert , Leo Daignault, Colin Hanlon, Jeff Hiller, Lisa Howard, Anney McKilligan, Sheri Sanders, Robb Sapp, James Silson, David Stephens, Madeleine Doherty, and Daniel Torres. The swings are Matthew Furtado and Kristin Feeney.

The new stage version of Emmet Otter's Jug-band Christmas is produced in association with The Jim Henson Company, with Co-CEO Brian Henson spearheading the project on the Company's behalf. The Jim Henson Company has been an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years, known for such productions as "The Muppet Show," "Fraggle Rock," "Labyrinth," and "The Dark Crystal."

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is produced for Goodspeed Musicals by Michael P. Price.

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas will run December 7, 2008, through January 4, 2009

Curtain times are Wednesdays at 2:00p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.; Fridays at 7:00 p.m., with matinees at 2:00 p.m. on December 26 and January 2;  Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; with special performances on Christmas Eve at 2:00 p.m.,  New Year's Eve and New Year's Day at 2:00 p.m.

The ADDED PERFORMANCES are Sunday, December 28 and Sunday, January 4 at 6:30 p.m..Tickets start at $39 for children under 12 and $49 for adults. A limited number of $26 Second Row Side Mezzanine (restricted view) seats are available for each performance. A special VIP package with a limited number of premium seats and a souvenir gift is also available. For more information call the Box Office at 860.873.8668 or visit www.goodspeed.org.

Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre, Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., and additional musicals at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. The only regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement), Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in the Musical Theater.

Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of American Airlines, official airline of Goodspeed Musicals; additional support from Blum Shapiro; Hoffman Lexus; Mohegan Sun; Henkel Adhesives Technologies; Updike, Kelly & Spellacy P.C.; National Endowment for the Arts; and the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.