Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas at Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building

Based on the beloved television special originally created by legendary puppeteer Jim Henson, the family-friendly musical features music and lyrics by Paul Williams (The Muppet Movie), with a book by lead producer Timothy Allen McDonald (Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach) and direction and choreography by Christopher Gattelli (Newsies).

It’s three days before Christmas and Mayor Fox has just announced a Christmas talent contest with a grand prize of fifty dollars! Meanwhile, times are tough for Ma and Emmet Otter since Pa passed away, and winning that prize money would allow them to secretly buy each other a Christmas gift. Emmet considers forming a jug-band with his friends, but in order to do that he’ll have to put a hole in Ma’s washtub. The problem is, Ma earns money by doing other folks’ laundry in the washtub. Ma thinks about hocking Pa’s old toolbox so she can make a costume for the contest, but Emmet uses those tools to do odd jobs. As Christmas Eve and the talent contest quickly approach, will Ma and Emmet sacrifice what little they have, or will their Christmas wishes come true?

Family Box Seating – Box Seats are available for purchase as a unit and not as individual seats. Each Family Box accommodates 6 people. Please note: Family Boxes are not wheelchair accessible. For more information about purchasing a Family Box please contact the box office at 312-753-3210.

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CAST

Andy Mientus as Emmet Otter Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone as Ma Jordan Brownlee Nick Cearley Kevin Covert Adam Fane Matt Furtado Sharriese Hamilton Steven Hunyn Ben Mathew Leah Morrow Anney Ozar Emily Rohm James Silson Sawyer Smith and David Stephens

CREATIVE

Music and Lyrics: Paul Williams

Lead Producer/Co-Author Timothy Allen McDonald

Director/Choreographer/Co-Author Christopher Gatelli

Puppets: Jim Henson’s Creature Shop

Scenic Design: Anna Louizos

Costume Design: Gregg Barnes

Lighting Design: Jen Schriever

Sound Design: Matt Kraus

Orchestrations: Dan DeLange

Music Supervisor: Larry Pressgrove

Senior Associate Producer: Alexander Robertson