The Muppets News

Luminario Ballet (Judith FLEX Helle, Managing and Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the Company's 2019 Gala Fundraiser, Gala Bacchanal. This one-night-only event, honoring Emmy Award-winning choreographer Anita Mann for her Lifetime Achievement and Influence in Choreography, will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. a?' 9:30 p.m., at the Beverly Hills Women's Club (1700 Chevy Chase Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210). 

Casting is today announced for Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson's worldwide cult phenomenon Ghost Stories which is set to play a strictly limited engagement at The Ambassadors Theatre from Thursday 3rd October 2019 until Saturday 4th January 2020. Simon Lipkin, performing as Professor Goodman, Garry Cooper playing Tony Matthews, Preston Nyman, appearing as Simon Rifkind and Richard Sutton, playing Mike Priddle, all reprise their celebrated Lyric Hammersmith Theatre roles in Ghost Stories most terrifying West End transfer.

Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell are developing a comic musical retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

News broke yesterday that Disney+ has scrapped the previously announced Muppets series, from Josh Gad, Adam Horowitz, and Eddy Kitsis. The project was set to feature original songs by Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, and be directed by Jason Moore. Following the news, Gad took to Instagram to shed light on what happened.

Deadline reports that plans to produce a new Muppets comedy series, 'Muppets Live Another Day,' have been scrapped at streamer Disney+. The series has been canceled due to a 'discrepancy between the writing team's creative vision and that of the top brass at Disney-owned Muppet Studio.'

Deadline reports that 'Muppets Now,' a new short-form Muppet series, will premiere on Disney Plus in 2020. The news was announced today at Disney's D23, during a ceremony where many, many new series were revealed for the new streaming platform.

Martin P. Robinson Productions and Little Shadow Productions presents All Hallows Eve, a wild, horror musical journey across the grey veil on a Halloween night, testing a sister's and brother's love against the forces of true evil, with book, lyrics and puppet design by Martin P. Robinson (Little Shop of Horrors; a?oeSesame Streeta??) and music by Paul Rudolph (Emmy Award-winning composer, a?oeSesame Streeta??, a?oeGLANKa??).  

Leila Ghaznavi and Pantea Productions are proud to present Beyond the Light at the 2019 Philadelphia Fringe Festival This theatrical exploration of dance, light effects, and puppetry, was conceived by Leila Ghaznavi, a 2012 recipient of the Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grant and the 2012 Puffin Grant. The piece runs at the Theatre Exile, 1340 South 13th Street., from September 18-22. Tickets cost $10-$12. Tickets are available online at www.fringearts.com   or at the Philly Fringe box office.

Take a first look at some of your favourite Mr. Men and Little Miss characters as Selladoor Family and Rockefeller Productions announce casting for the UK tour of the stage adaptation of Roger Hargreaves much loved children's book series, Mr.Men & Little Miss On Stage. The brand new show opens on 01 August at the Underbelly Edinburgh Fringe before an extensive tour.

Disney Junior, the #1 television network for preschoolers, has ordered a third season of the hit Emmy Award-nominated 'Muppet Babies,' ahead of its season two premiere. A sneak peek of the new season will be available in DisneyNOW on FRIDAY, AUG. 2, prior to its official debut FRIDAY, AUG. 9 (8:30-9:00 a.m. EDT/PDT), on Disney Channel. Since its premiere in March 2018, the series; which chronicles the hilarious playroom antics of a young Kermit the Frog, Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animal and Summer Penguin; has garnered over 140 million views across all social media and digital viewing platforms, and currently ranks as Disney Channel's #1 series among Kids 2-8.

Today's top stories: New casting has been announced for Tina, two new cast members are set for Dear Evan Hansen, and more!

After a highly acclaimed and previously sold-out tour in 2018, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em is back by popular demand and will tour the UK in 2020. Joe Pasquale returns as the loveable but accident-prone Frank Spencer in the stage production of the classic 1970s TV comedy, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Sarah Earnshaw is returning as his long-suffering wife Betty and Susie Blake his disapproving mother-in-law, Mrs Fisher. Further casting to be announced. The stage adaptation is by Guy Unsworth, based on the original TV series by Raymond Allen. Guy Unsworth will also be directing.

Producer The Green Room 42 played host on Friday, June 14, 2019, to the fourth edition variety show of The Early Night Show LIVE! created, written, directed, accompanied, and performed by 12 year old Joshua Turchin. The young performer, writer and composer drew lots of laughs and applause throughout the cabaret featuring music, sketch comedy, improv, and special guests.

Musical director and pianist, Kevin Winebold, celebrates his 40th birthday with KEVIN WINEBOLD: MY FIRST FORTY YEARS with a host of Broadway guest artists in a benefit concert at The Players (16 Gramercy Park South). Guest artists include Desi Davar (WEST SIDE STORY), Nicolas Dromard (JERSEY BOYS), Lauren Elder (SIDE SHOW), Leigh Ann Larkin (GYPSY), Kimberly Marable (HADESTOWN), Arthur Migliazza (BOOGIE STOMP!), Anthony Nunziata (The Last Laugh), and Jelani Remy (AIN'T TOO PROUD). Proceeds from the concert will benefit arts education programs that Winebold will be creating this summer in Angola, Africa.

The early projects of Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, are premiering on ShortsTV, the world's only 24/7 HD TV channel dedicated to short movies (www.shorts.tv) and official distributor of the OSCAR Nominated Short Films. The network will take viewers across the globe on a journey through Henson's life and works, in an all-night extravaganza on June 11, 2019, that showcases his genius imagination and creativity, before his worldwide success with the Muppets.

Joshua Turchin will return to The Green Room 42 with his cabaret series, 'The Early Night Show with Joshua Turchin,' June 14, 2019 at 7pm. Turchin previously performed several successful shows, 'The Early Night Show at The Green Room' and the 'West End Lounge,' and regularly music directs and accompanies at The Green Room 42's (YOUNG) cabaret series. Special guests from Broadway, television and film will join Turchin on stage.

Comedian, singer, actor, writer and satirist Randy Rainbow announced today the extension of his 2019 sold-out tour, including a stop at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre (226 N. St. Mary's St.) in San Antonio, TX on October 25, 2019 at 7:30PM. Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 17 at 10AM.

What good is sitting alone in your room this week? If you don't already have plans to see a Broadway show, come out to see your favorite Broadway stars in a cabaret act instead. After Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Highlights this week include Jarrod Spector, Derek Klena, Pronoun Showdown, and more!

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

Sesame Workshop today announced that former First Lady Michelle Obama will accept the Joan Ganz Cooney Award, named for Sesame Street's creator, at the nonprofit organization's annual benefit dinner on May 29. This event celebrates Sesame Street's landmark 50th anniversary year.