Irvine Barclay presents West Coast Premiere of STUFFED & UNSTRUNG, 12/29-1/2

Press Release:

The Irvine Barclay Theatre proudly presents the West Coast Premiere of STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG, a live uncensored show that lets loose the perilous and provocative elements of comedic improvisation on stage with a bunch of puppets in a show produced by WestBeth Entertainment and Henson Alternative. Created by award-winning director, producer, and writer Brian Henson and actor and improvisational guru Patrick Bristow and featuring The Jim Henson Company's renowned puppeteers, this one-of-a-kind comedy made for grown-ups is playing a limited six-show run at the Irvine Barclay Theatre on Wednesday, December 29 through Sunday, January 2. Patrick Bristow (Ellen, Curb Your Enthusiasm) serves as host for the show, and Musical Director is Willie Etra.

STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG is a wild romp in which the skilled art of puppetry and spontaneous comedy collide. Unpredictable and irreverent, it's never the same show twice. Expert puppeteers create twisted scenes and songs on the fly, as suggestions from the audience prompt the improvised storylines unfolding on stage. This production delivers "two shows in one" as the hilarious puppet action is projected live on large screens flanking the stage, while the puppeteers race around below – displaying their skills in full view of the audience. With live musical accompaniment and Bristow as host, STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG boasts a cast of six world-class puppeteers in an uninhibited live puppet performance, as never seen before.

The show drew rave reviews and overwhelming audience response during its NYC run. Show Business Weekly writes, "STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG offers generous doses of roaring laughter and delightful amazement. The show is smart, funny and original." Theatermania.com notes, "A comedy improvisation show with a twist, STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG has a wonderful and inventive cast – who also just happen to be extremely talented Henson puppeteers. The result is a first rate evening of comedy – with a program that changes from show to show."  Entertainment Weekly says "It's nearly impossible to do anything but laugh. Grade: A."

STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG evolved from Henson's previous production "Puppet Up! – Uncensored," which made its debut at the 2006 HBO Comedy Festival (Aspen, CO) and later toured the 2006 Edinburgh Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland), The 2007 Comedy Festival (Las Vegas, NV) and Australia's Sydney Big Laugh Comedy Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (both 2007). Most recently, "Puppet Up" continued as a workshop piece in monthly performances at Avalon Hollywood. The New York engagement of STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG marked the debut of a completely revamped production featuring all new technical wizardry with original music and staging.

Henson Alternative is The Jim Henson Company's label for content created specifically and exclusively for adult audiences. Previous credits include "Tinseltown" for Logo, "Puppet Up! – Uncensored" for TBS and the upcoming feature film "Happytime Murders" currently in development.

Photo (L to R): Michael Oosterom, Julianne Buescher and Tyler Bunch by Carol Rosegg.

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STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG plays Wed. Dec 29 & Thurs. Dec 30 at 8:00 pm; Fri. Dec 31 at 7:00 pm & 10 pm; Saturday Jan 1 at 8:00 pm; and Sunday Jan 2 at 4:00 pm.

Tickets ranging from $38 to $75 can be purchased online at www.thebarclay.org, by phone at 949-854-4646 x1 or in person at the Box Office. Box Office hours are 10AM-6PM M-F, Noon-4PM Sat-Sun. A small number of VIP seats with Gold Bar privileges are available. Call the box office for information.

STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG is recommended for ages 16 and up.

The Irvine Barclay Theatre is located at 4242 Campus Drive in Irvine.

For more information, check out www.StuffedAndUnstrung.com. Visit the show on facebook or follow on Twitter @stuffedunstrung.

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