"Rob Lake Magic featuring The Muppets" A Somewhat Spoiler Free Review!

This weekend, I had the opportunity to check out the latest Muppet production(?) Rob Lake Magic featuring The Muppets. Now before you ask, which I know you’re going to - how did you like it. The answer is it was really, really, great.

In fact, all cards on the table, it was much better than I thought it would be.

As a Muppet fan, as most in the audience were, of course I went for The Muppets, but truly I stayed for the magic. While I wish The Muppets were featured more, the spectacle of the magic Lake performed held the audience interest, regardless of our fuzzy felt friends not being on stage every minute.

I had the privilege of meeting Rob a few weeks ago during our MOMI Jim Henson birthday weekend walking tour. Rob spoke to our group and let us know that this show was not going to be “The Muppet show” on Broadway or “The Muppet Christmas Carol” on Broadway. Which, of course, this production wasn’t. 

This is not to diminish the production at all, but merely a reminder to set your expectations. Remember it’s Rob Lake Magic featuring The Muppets. The Muppets are the guest stars and not the other way around.

Just as a magician never reveals their secrets. I do not want to give too much away for those that want to see the show, but haven’t had a chance yet. I saw it in previews so there was a few glitches here and there, but overall nothing that spoiled the magic of the show itself. I will say if you want the full experience try and get orchestra seats. 

Another thing I’m sure everyone is curious about is if there are the actual Muppet performers puppeteering the characters. And the answer is ....kind of. While the main Muppet performers recorded the audio track, there are some actual Muppet performers underneath the characters too! Just probably not the ones you may be thinking of. Peter Linz is the puppet captain so one of the performers is guiding the performances, but don’t expect to see Matt Vogel, Eric, Jacobson, or Dave Goelz at your show. 

So what other Muppet performers are there if not them? You may remember know our friend Noel MacNeill, known as Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House and Emmy winning Sesame Street performer/director, as well as our friend and Sesame Street performer Sebastian Ricci, both of whom are lending a hand to this production, as well as Stoph Sheer, who worked on the Slumberkins and Muppets Mayhem, as well as a few other puppeteers that worked on the stage production of Emmett Otter Jug-band Christmas, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock and more. Point being the people under stage are very familiar working with The Muppets, The Jim Henson Company, and live stage puppetry. 

And since our blog is primarily focused on Muppet merch, we should talk about that as well because there are some exclusive items, including a shirt, hoodie, magnet and two different pins - one with the heads of Kermit, Gonzo, Fozzie, and Miss piggy - and another with Kermit and Miss Piggy with Rob Lake.

There is also the PlayBill itself, which has to be the greatest cast photo page in the history of PlayBills because it actually features Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie, Animal, and Rowlf as the featured stars of the shows and their bios are just incredible.

Again, keep your expectations in check, there’s a reason why Bill Baretta isn’t credited in the program even though Rowlf is seen on stage.

After the show, I recommend having your reservation secretary, make a reservation for you at Sardi's directly across the street. There, among the many caricatures of famous Broadway performers (and Muppet guests) ....

you can see Kermit’s "Big Time Producer" illustration from The Muppets Take Manhattan.

It's very fitting that the exact place where Kermit tried a whispering campaign to get on Broadway 41 years ago is directly across the street where he and his friends are making their Broadway debut. It's truly a incredible experience which I highly recommend and the food is delicious as well.

I truly recommend seeing the show. It’s definitely a different kind of Muppet production. Again, keep your expectations in check as The Muppets are not there every second, but the performances, the writing, and everything else is exactly what you would expect.

View of the marque from Sardi's

View of the marque from Sardi's

Kids of all ages will appreciate it and there’s exclusive merch! What more could you ask for? Well maybe a little more Muppets, but I will let the magic speak for itself!

Tickets and information for Rob Lake Magic featuring The Muppets are available here: