Jim Henson News

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!

Japan Society welcomes renowned puppet artist Basil Twist with the return of his critically acclaimed, award-winning Dogugaeshi as Japan Society's Performing Arts Program commences its 60th Anniversary season: Japan, the U.S. & Beyond!. A limited engagement, 7 performances only, plays today, September 18-22 at Japan Society (333 East 47th Street).

David Mirvish celebrates 50 years of his family producing and presenting theatre by announcing a busy new season of shows for 2013-14. In total, Mirvish Productions will present 18 shows and employ over 500 artists on its four stages in Toronto - the Royal Alexandra, Princess of Wales, Ed Mirvish and Panasonic theatres. This is the largest season Mirvish has ever presented.

The Guthrie Theater presents the Dowling Studio's 2013-14 season opener Moon Show 143 by Minnesota-bred, Seattle-based theater and visual artist Kyle Loven. Loven's body of work combines puppetry, projections and other art forms with live actors. Nick Hubbard will direct the world premiere of this production inspired by moon myths and beliefs from around the world.

The Guthrie Theater today announced a line-up of post-show events in conjunction with Seattle-based theater and visual artist Kyle Loven's Moon Show 143. The events are as follows:

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 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.

Thistle Theatre captures the beloved world of Beatrix Potter by combining 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' with 'The Tale of Benjamin Bunny.' One lovely morning Peter's sisters, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail, obediently pick berries, but Peter goes on a daring adventure in Mr. McGregor's garden. After losing his clean blue jacket in a narrow escape, Peter must venture once more into the garden to retrieve it, this time accompanied by his cousin Benjamin Bunny. Will Peter and Benjamin make it out of the garden safely?

Bergen Performing Arts Center, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey is proud to announce new shows to its already exciting and diverse 2013/2014 season. Now in its 10th season, bergenPAC is New Jersey's leading concert venue bringing World Class Entertainment close to home at affordable prices. All shows go on sale MondaySeptember 16th at 11:00AM; tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, BERGEN PAC.ORG, AT THE BOX OFFICE or by calling 201.227-1030.

The Morrison Center announces its signature Velma V. Morrison Family Theatre Series. This series presents an opportunity for families in Boise and throughout the greater Treasure Valley to experience the magic of live, professional entertainment at affordable prices in a one-of-a-kind facility. Research demonstrates that children who study and experience the performing arts are not only better students, but also more civic minded, productive adults. In three carefully chosen events, parents and children will be astonished, amused, touched, educated and astounded. As the premier performing arts center of Idaho, the Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts is committed to providing the community with opportunities to visit the Center in order to introduce the next generation to the magic of theatre. The Family Theatre Series will help provide access and opportunity to those in need at all socio-economic levels via affordable ticket pricing, group and ticket discounts and a limited supply of complimentary tickets to qualified non-profits that served children and families in need.

Olivier Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner Linzi Hateley, Clare Foster, and the legendary Louise Gold headline a cast of West End leading ladies at the St. James Theatre, tonight September 7th 2013.

Ralph Lee's Mettawee River Theatre Company presents its new production of 'TALIESIN', with script by Robert Bagg from a medieval Welsh tale, running September 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14, 15 at 7:30 PM (Today/Saturday/Sunday) at the Outdoor Garden of St. John the Divine.

The Rose Theater, one of the country's largest theaters specializing in professional productions for young audiences, will present nine shows for the 2013-14 season. Included are two world premieres, Leo Lionni's Frederick, a musical based on the popular 1968 children's book, and The Grocer's Goblin & The Little Mermaid adapted from two Hans Christen Andersen tales by Rose Playwright-in-Residence Brian Guehring and Rose Director of Youth Productions Stephanie Jacobson.

Disney has kicked off production on ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY. The cast includes Broadway vet Megan Mullally (Grease, Young Frankenstein) and Jennifer Coolidge (The Women and Elling.)

Off-Broadway's award-winning Irish Repertory Theatre launches its 26th season with a revival of Sean O'Casey's JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK, directed by Irish Rep Artistic Director Charlotte Moore. With a cast that features, among others, J. Smith-Cameron as Juno Boyle, Ciaran O'Reilly as 'Captain' Jack Boyle, and John Keating as Joxer Daly, JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK will begin performances on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at the Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street).

Disney has kicked off production on ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY the first live-action film adaptation of Judith Viorst's 1972 illustrated children's classic.