Creature Shop To Make Puppets For ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ Stage Show!

Jim Henson’s Creature Shop teamed up with Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company to make puppets for a stage show based on Hayao Miyazaki’s My Neighbour Totoro.

According to Deadline this will be the Royal Shakespeare Company ambitious project to date and will feature life size puppets.

The show will feature the score that composer Joe Hisaishi created for 1988 film, plus additional music that wasn’t used in the movie.

The story is set in 1950s Japan and follows the adventures of Satsuki and Mei, young sisters who move from Tokyo city to the countryside. There they encounter spirits and awesome creatures. Two furry ones capture their imaginations: a giant fluffy creature known as the Totoro and a gargantuan cat bus that collects willing passengers then soars off into the sky.

The puppets being built at the Creature Shop are based on designs created by Basil Twist, one of the UK’s most innovative puppeteers. Mervyn Millar, of Britain’s Significant Object puppet studio will create additional puppets as well.

Peter Brooke, creative supervisor of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop said in a statement released through the RSC: “We know all too well the importance of maintaining the visual style and personality of beloved characters.

”Whether an audience member is a longtime fan of this iconic story, or new to Miyazaki’s fantastical world, they will be simply amazed when they see these magical creatures live on stage in a whole new way in My Neighbour Totoro.”

John Criswell, animatronics supervisor at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
 in Los Angeles. working on  "My Neighbour Totoro"

The show will have an initial run of 15 weeks at London’s Barbican, with performances from October 8 through January 21, 2023.

Tickets are on sale now at the Royal Shakespeare Company's website. 

Sesame Street: The Musical Tickets On Sale!

Tickets are now on sale for Rockefeller Productions' upcoming off-Broadway show Sesame Street: The Musical.

Tickets range from $32 to $129 and can be purchased at SesameStreetMusical.com

Kourtney Day Returns to Jim Henson's Creature Shop as Senior Director of New Business!

Executive Kourtney Day has returned to Jim Henson's Creature Shop as Senior Director of New Business. Day will spearhead business development for Jim Henson's Creature Shop, continuing to identify partners in the film, television, live events, themed entertainment, advertising, and AR/VR spaces.

"My mission is to identify potential partners who can benefit from the groundbreaking innovations that the artists and engineers of Jim Henson's Creature Shop are making in both practical creature effects and digital puppetry," said Day. "As leaders in their craft, having created some of entertainment's most iconic characters, Jim Henson's Creature Shop is at the ready to help our clients fully realize their visions."

Day previously worked at Jim Henson's Creature Shop as Manager of Business Development before serving at Lionsgate as Manager of Global Live and Location Based Experience and then Solomon Group as Business Development Manager, Themed Entertainment. Day also serves as the Vice President of the Themed Entertainment Association Western Division.

Welcome back Kourtney!

Muppet Stuff - Sesame Place Classic Character Plush 2022!

Join us as we head to Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa to pick up their 2022 Classic Character plush and see what other surprises we can find.

Look for more videos on our Youtube Channel.

​In Stores Now Diamond Select Toys' Sam the Eagle & Rizzo the Rat!

After being revealed many years ago at Toy Fair and being officially announced last year, Diamond Select Toys Sam Eagle and Rizzo action figures are FINALLY hitting store shelves.

A Diamond Select Toys release! It's the American Way! 

The next Muppets action figure has arrived, and it's Sam the (American) Eagle! Plus, as a bonus you get Rizzo the Rat! 

These 7-inch scale action figures measure 5 inches and 3 inches, respectively, and each includes multiple points of articulation. 

Accessories include a podium. 

Together they come packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios. 

(Item #AUG212424, SRP: $29.99)

Sadly,  Rizzo doesn't come with any accessories, not even a slice a cheese!

You should be able to find these Sam the Eagle & Rizzo the Rat! action figures at your local comic shop and online at Diamond Select Toys, Big Bad Toy Store, Entertainment Earth, and more. 

E! News - Kermit Tells Miss Piggy to STOP DM'ing Harry Styles!

E! News asked Kermit The Frog about his social media DM's (Direct Messages), pleads with Miss Piggy to STOP DM'ing Harry Styles, and more. 

The Muppets are on Holey Moley: Fore-Ever! tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. 

Loungefly Muppet Lovers & Dreamers Collection!

  Loungefly has a new line of exclusive Muppet items for the lovers, the dreamers, and you!

So far the line includes a limited edition mini backpack and wallet.

Limited Edition Exclusive - The Muppets Rainbow Connection Mini Backpack

Help Kermit find the Rainbow Connection with this exclusive The Muppets Rainbow Connection Mini Backpack. On the front, Kermit strums his banjo and sings, surrounded by blue water, vibrant lily pads, and delightful dragonflies. In fact, the water scene is die-cut to form a charming, wavy front pocket for extra storage. This accessory makes for a colorful complement to any Disney outfit. Act fast to collect this Loungefly.com exclusive accessory; supplies are limited.

Backpack features include shiny gold hardware, vegan leather (polyurethane), a hard enamel zipper charm in the shape of a banjo, adjustable straps, side pockets, and printed details. Note the coordinating lining.

Backpack dimensions: 9” W x 10.5” x 4.5” D 

Exclusive - The Muppets Rainbow Connection Zip Around Wallet

Help Kermit find the Rainbow Connection with this exclusive The Muppets Rainbow Connection Zip Around Wallet. On the front, Kermit strums his banjo and sings. On the back of wallet, bright rainbow stripes appear on the other side. This accessory makes for a colorful complement to any Disney outfit. Act fast to collect this Loungefly.com exclusive accessory; supplies are limited.

Wallet zips closed and features include shiny gold hardware, vegan leather (polyurethane), four card slots, a clear slot for holding your ID, and applique and printed details. Note the coordinating lining.

Wallet dimensions: 6” W x 4” H 

Customer may purchase up to one per household. Neither item qualifies for discounts or promotions.

You order your using the links above from Loungefly. 

Thrifting Adventures with Cinema Sickness!

Our adventures in thrifting with Cinema Sickness continue as I hunt for Muppet stuff while making terrible puns along the way. 

Thrifting Goodwill (Middletown, DE):

Thrifting Goodwill (Bear, DE):

 

Thrifting Goodwill (Robesonia, PA):

 

Thrifting Jubilee Ministries (Lebanon, PA):

Be sure to check out more thrilling thrifting adventures on our Youtube Channel.

Sesame Street Celebrates Fathers Day with Friends Parody!

Sesame Street released a new parody video celebrating Father's Day while also spoofing the classic TV series Friends. 

As well as putting a new spin on the Friend's theme and opening credit sequence, the video also manages to squeeze in a few Easter eggs and refences to classis episodes from the series as well. 

You can watch more Sesame Street parodies on their YouTube Channel.

Muppets Mayhem Adds More Humans!

The Muppets Mayhem, the upcoming Disney+ Electric Mayhem series, has added two more humans to the cast.

As we previously reported, the series will star Lilly Singh as Nora, the human junior A&R executive tasked with managing The Electric Mayhem.

The new additions to the cast include:

Saara Chaudry will play Nora's younger sister Hannah,

and Anders Holm will have a recurring guest role as JJ, a tech entrepreneur and Nora's ex.

Additionally a logo for the series has been spotted online, though it's not clear if this will be the final one used for the show. 

No premier date has yet been released for the The Muppets Mayhem, but we expect Disney will announce it at the D23 expo in September.

Watch The Weirdos Perform On The Tonight Show!

The Weirdos made their TV debut last week on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. 

Check out their appearance below including a couch segment introducing the band and where they came from and them performing "Biutiful" with Coldplay's Chris Martin:

You can see The Weirdos on tour with Coldplay. 

Thrifting Adventures with Cinema Sickness!

Our adventures in thrifting with Cinema Sickness continue as I hunt for Muppet stuff while making terrible puns along the way. 

Thrifting Fensty’s Flea Market (Bally, PA):

 

Thrifting Goodwill (Tappe, PA):  

 

 

Thrifting Liberty Ministries Thrift (Collegeville, PA):

 

 

Thrifting Goodwill (Phoenixville, PA):

 

Thrifting Hamburg Antiques Center (Hamburg, PA):

 

Thrifting Goodwill (Palmyra, PA):

 

We also have three bonus (AKA non-Muppet finding videos) for you as well. 

Thrifting Zionsville Antique Mall (Zionsville, PA)

 

Shopping Gander RV & Outdoors (Hamburg, PA)

 

Shopping Cabela’s (Hamburg, PA):

Be sure to check out more thrilling thrifting adventures on our Youtube Channel.

Watch Henson President of TV Discuss Development and Production at the TV Kids Summer Festival!

Halle Stanford, President of TV at The Jim Henson Company, discussed the development and production ethos of the company at the TV Kids Summer Festival yesterday. 

Introduced by Gobo Fraggle, Stanford had a conversation with TV Kids’ Kristin Brzoznowski, where she discussed the “hope punk” approach to creating content at the company.

Their conversation was followed by two episodes of Word Party. 

You can watch Halle Stanford entire keynote conversation here. 

The Weirdos Go On Tour With Coldplay!

We all know Dr. Teeth and Electric Mayhem, The River Bottom Nightmare Band, and Fraggle's Rock's The Minstrels, but now a new Henson puppet band is making a name for themselves - The Weirdos!

Fronted by Angle Moon, The Weirdos are a new a creation by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop that are not only on tour with Coldplay, they've been signed to their label, Atlantic Records as well.

Coldplay's Chris Martin talked with Billboard about the The Weirdos, their involvement in the tour, and getting them a record deal. 

“The Weirdos are a band who we’re trying to help out,....it’s really “Bruno [Mars] and Ed [Sheeran]’s label,” maybe Dua Lipa or Cardi B’s, but also Coldplay’s label. And now the Weirdos, too.

“They have one song at the moment [‘Biutyful’] and we’re on it with them,” Martin continued before taking a brief time out to question if the way he was describing this intergalactically weird off-shoot of the Music of the Spheres universe was making any sense. What is most definitely true is that Angel Moon has been singing a duet of “Biutyful” with Martin on the tour, performing to more than a million people so far across the band’s Latin American and U.S. dates over the past 3 months according to Coldplay’s label.

Even as he tried to toe the story’s carefully crafted line, Martin couldn’t help but crack himself up as he navigated the ornate narrative turns. “The way I discovered them was we were working with Angel Moon, this lady… creature,” the singer said as guitarist Jonny Buckland stifled a laugh while sitting on a green room couch in the bowels of the Bears’ stadium as he watched his old friend try to explain the weirdness.

“How do I explain this? I think we just felt like…” Martin continued, careful to not blow the surprise or tip his hand, while also earnestly wanting to explain why he’s been singing with a gnome-like puppet on stage during the band’s carefully choreographed, low-emission global tour that has seen recent cameos from Lupe Fiasco, Kylie Minogue and Bruce Springsteen. 

Regardless, Moon and her bandmates — Donk, Sparkman and The Wizard — will rock The Tonight Show after the band signed a “historic” contract with Atlantic and Parlophone Records on Tuesday. According to a release announcing the unusual deal, their manager, Bruce Cakemix, described the deal as “the biggest step forward in human-alien relations since Close Encounters.”

“I think we thought that we’ve sort of come to the end of doing singles as Coldplay. I think we’ve probably basically finished doing that, in general. We can’t go more poppier or single-y [than the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 BTS collaboration “My Universe”] than that and that felt good and we’re a bit older now. So we do have songs we want to bring some attention to, but with this we asked the Weirdoes if they would do the song and front it and we would feature.”

According to Martin, some people say the Weirdos are from another planet, and some say, “there’s a room in Los Angeles where all of the rejected puppets live and they maybe come from there.”

Martin and Coldplay will help The Weirdos make their network TV debut Friday night on The Tonight Show, where the group will jam on “Biutyful” from Coldplay’s new "Music of the Spheres" album.

Weta Garthim Statue!

Weta Workshop unveiled their next Dark Crystal statue, a deadly Garthim.

The Garthim: relentless hunters, loyal guards, and a force to be reckoned with. The mere sound of their chitinous legs clacking along the ground as they run is enough to make all Thra shiver in fear.

Hulking, crab-like foot soldiers, the Garthim served their masters without question. Dispatched from the Castle of the Crystal to enforce the Skeksis’ campaign of brutality and genocide, the Garthim roved across Thra spreading terror wherever they went. Within the shadowed passages and halls of the darkened castle they stood silent and unmoving; sentinels on ceaseless watch, or cloistered in lightless pits, awaiting the orders of their draconic overlords

With a mess of black legs, a polished jet-like carapace, and giant destructive claws, the Garthim were believed to be invincible. Mightier than any of Thra’s creatures, they smashed their way through almost any barrier, be it Podling homes or the walls of Aughra’s observatory. Few, if any beings, were their equal, save for the swift-limbed Landstriders, whose long legs could pierce Garthim shells and whose courage could overcome the terror of their piercing purple eyes.

SPECIAL BASE DESIGN:
The three different sized circular bases across our 1:6 scale Dark Crystal range represent the Three Suns in the skies of Thra; the dying sun, rose sun, and great sun. Familiar iconography from the floor of the Crystal Chamber is featured around the outside. Spy the symbols of the urSkek, which have since been appropriated as signs of discord and Skeksis aggression.

The 1:6 scale Garthim statue is a Limited Edition of 500 that features light-up LED eyes that can change color between blue and purple,

You can Pre-order them through Weta and Big Bad Toy Store.

Coming This Fall Sesame Street: The (Off Broadway) Musical!

According to Variety, sunny days are coming to an off-Broadway stage this fall with Sesame Street: The Musical.

Rockefeller Productions and Sesame Workshop announced Sesame Street: The Musical will make it's world premiere this fall. 

Special guest stars from Broadway and beyond will join Sesame Street's Abby Cadabby, Rosita, Bert, Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, The Count, and Gabrielle and many others.

The show will feature classic Sesame Street songs plus new ones created especially for this production.

The show is directed and produced by Jonathan Rockefeller. “We are so honored and proud to partner with Sesame Workshop to bring ‘Sesame Street’s’ first original Off-Broadway musical, along with its iconic characters, to the stage,” said Rockefeller. “We believe it will be a production for children and fans of ALL ages to embrace and enjoy.”

“As the world begins to open up, families and fans are looking forward to live, high-quality in-person experiences with their favorite brands, and Sesame Workshop is answering the call with the expansion of our themed entertainment offerings,” said Jennifer Ahearn, vice president of strategic partnerships and themed entertainment at Sesame Workshop. “With its critically-acclaimed productions and keen eye for presenting beloved stories, we’re thrilled to collaborate with Rockefeller Productions on a stage show that will have the young and young-at-heart singing, dancing, and celebrating with their Sesame Street friends.”

Rockefeller Productions focuses on family entertainment and has mounted productions such as Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation, Paddington Gets in a Jam and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.

We are pretty sure this stage show will feature the actual Muppets and their performers - NOT dancers in full body Muppet costumes, though more details have yet to be announced. 

Previews for Sesame Street: The Musical start on September 8, 2022, with opening night set for September 22. The production will run at Theater Row, 410 West 42nd Street through November 27, 2022.

Tickets go on sale June 27th at SesameStreetMusical.com

RIP Jim Formanek, Long-Time Director of Henson Company Consumer Products (1972 - 2022)

(Hollywood, CA – June 6, 2022) – James Patrick Formanek (“Jimmy”), long-time director of consumer products at The Jim Henson Company, died at age 50 on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, CA, of complications resulting from cancer.

Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company, said, “We are simply heartbroken at the passing of Jim Formanek. For our fans, Jimmy – a fan himself – shared his deep appreciation for detail and whimsy across all the toys, books, comics, and clothing from the last fifteen years. And for our Company, Jimmy’s legacy also includes his sense of humor, devoted friendship, and inspiring commitment to try to be a good person and care for those around him. We send our love and support to Jimmy’s family and his many friends.”

Jimmy was born on March 28, 1972, in Minnesota, grew up in Webster, Wisconsin, and later graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. His love of entertainment led him to Hollywood where he joined The Jim Henson Company in 2000, in an administrative position that he self-titled “assistant president.” He was quickly recognized for his true talent as an appreciator and collector of all things nerdy and geeky, and went on to lead the Company’s consumer products development for over fifteen years, working on products, publishing, collectibles, and clothing for beloved brands like Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth. Jim described his role saying, “I make toys and read comic books for a living. Basically, I am Tom Hanks in the movie Big.”

Jimmy is predeceased by his parents, James and Violet Formanek, and is survived by his stepmother Jean Formanek, sister Debbie Maloney (Tim Maloney), brothers Dave Formanek (Robyn Formanek) and Dennis Formanek (Laura Formanek), as well as his beloved nieces and nephews (Traci, Bryan, Danielle, Cassidy, Joey, Dan, Sarah, and Joshua), along with his many cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, colleagues, puppets, pets, and superheroes who miss him dearly.

Celebrations honoring Jimmy will be held over the summer in Hollywood, CA and Webster, WI. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the scholarship that has been established in Jimmy’s memory at Webster High School [link].

https://www.gofundme.com/f/jim-formanek-big-dreams-memorial-scholarship

Jim Henson’s Family Hub Launches Kids Safe YouTube Channel!

The Jim Henson’s Company launched a new YouTube Channel featuring clips and full episodes from Henson’s library of beloved and popular children’s titles.

Jim Henson’s Family Hub, The Jim Henson Company’s online community for celebrating, supporting and connecting all kinds of families, has launched a new YouTube channel featuring full episodes, fun clips, weekly updates, and more. This kids safe channel (/HensonFamilyHub) showcases popular and iconic titles from the Company’s beloved catalog including Fraggle Rock, Sid the Science Kid, Word Party, Dinosaur Train, Splash and Bubbles, Pajanimals, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, and more.

“Jim Henson’s Family Hub on YouTube provides the perfect place online for kids of all ages to enjoy the high-quality entertainment that has become synonymous with The Jim Henson Company,” said Kerry Novick, Vice President of Global Distribution. “Parents can feel confident that these shows are appropriate for kids, as well as inspiring, engaging, and fun!”

So far the full episode section includes episodes of Mopatop Shop and Pajanimals.

Watch the trailer for Jim Henson’s Family Hub below:

You can watch more from Jim Henson’s Family Hub on their YouTube Channel.

Amazing Back-to-Back-to-Back Finds and a Grail!

Join us once again from The Muppet Stuff Museum as we take a look at some AMAZING vintage items I found back-to-back-to-back and showcase products designed by former Muppet artistic director Craig Yoe!

Look for more videos on our Youtube Channel.

The Storyteller: Shapeshifters #4!

 The last issue of The Storyteller: Shapeshifters is out this week.

JIM HENSON’S THE STORYTELLER: SHAPESHIFTERS #4 will feature main cover art by Christian Ward, variant cover art by Mateus Manhanini. and an Incentive cover without the title by Christian Ward. 

Synopsis:

In the final issue of the mythical mini-series, the Caribbean story of the Ole Heg comes to life—a normal woman by day, but a terrifying, bloodsucking fire spirit at night.

When the mother of a young girl named Ruth falls prey to this skin-shedding soucouyant, Ruth is desperate for a way to save her .

Can Ruth defeat the Ole Heg, and live to tell the tale as a warning for generations to come?

Check out a the first few pages below:

Print copies of JIM HENSON’S THE STORYTELLER: SHAPESHIFTERS #4 will be available for sale on June 1, 2022 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one) or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.