Emmet Otter Back on Stage In NY!

Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas returns to the stage this holiday season for a limited engagement.

OFC's Creation Theater Center in Rochester, New York, proudly presents a heartwarming holiday production: the theatrical adaptation of Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas, running from November 26 through December 7, 2025. Based on the beloved 1977 television special and Russell Hoban’s classic children’s book, this enchanting musical brings to life the story of Emmet and his Ma as they each secretly enter a Christmas talent contest, hoping to win prize money for the other.

Audiences of all ages will be delighted by the magical world of Frogtown Hollow, brought to life on stage with puppets specially designed and created by the legendary Jim Henson Company. Featuring toe-tapping jug-band music, charming characters, and a heartfelt message about generosity and family, this limited engagement is a must-see holiday event for families and fans of Henson’s timeless work.

Join OFC’s Creation Theater Center for this festive celebration of tradition, music, and Muppet-style magic—perfect for making holiday memories that will last for years to come.

With a focus on youth theatre education and performances, mounting professional plays and musicals, hosting community events, presenting out-of-town entertainers, the center provides much-needed performance space to local arts groups of all sizes.

For more information and tickets head to OfCreations' website. 

"Emmet Otter" Takes The Stage This Winter in Chicago!

The stage version of Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas is set to return this winter in Chicago. 

Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas play returns in the windy city's newly renovated Studebaker Theater.

The show has music and lyrics by Academy Award winner Paul Williams and a book by Timothy Allen McDonald and Christopher Gattelli, who will also direct and choreograph.

The live Emmet Otter stage production previously played at the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut in 2008 and was well-received off-Broadway at the New York’s New Victory Theater in Dec. of 2021.

The show has been developed further since the New Victory engagement and will feature a fresh cast.

Performances are to begin around Thanksgiving and run at least through the end of the year, with dates, details and ticket prices to be announced. 

Tickets will go on sale in July at fineartsbuilding.com/studebaker

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

Breaking: Emmett Otter Stage Show Cancels All Remaining Performances!

According to Broadway World, all remaining performances of Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas have been canceled.

The cancellation comes as multiple positive COVID-19 cases have been reported within in the company and staff. Performances were scheduled to play through January 2, 2022.

"We're grateful to have been able to share the magic of Emmet Otter with many families in person, and are fortunate to have it available on demand for families and our school partners to see at home." said Russell Granet, President & CEO of New 42. "I extend my gratitude to the staff of the New Victory and Emmet Otter company for their dedication and enormously hard work."


New Victory Ticket Services will be in touch with all affected ticket holders with options including refunds. Ticket Services can be contacted by phone at 646.223.3010 or email Ticket_Services@NewVictory.org. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 11am-7pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.

Thankfully, you can still support and watch the production via a recording available to rent and stream on New Victory's website through 7pm on January 2.

IBEX Puppetry's Ajijaak on Turtle Island in NY!

IBEX Puppetry's new stage production Ajijaak on Turtle Island is now playing at the New Victory Theatre in New York. 

About the show:
Kites morph into soaring birds and branches transform into a gentle deer. Visionary puppetry artist Heather Henson and Grammy Award winner Ty Defoe bring together an ensemble of North American First Nations Peoples to tell the tale of Ajijaak, a young whooping crane who must face her first migration south. Indigenous songs, languages and dance weave together in a spectacle of artistry to create this affecting fable about the dangerous effects of climate change on animals and our Mother Earth. With puppets from Jim Henson's Creature Shop and music by Ty Defoe, Grammy nominee Dawn Avery and Kevin Tarrant of The SilverCloud Singers, AJIJAAK ON TURTLE ISLAND takes flight in a celebration of the natural world.

Running Time:
60 minutes with no intermission

Check out a few clips of the show:

Ajijaak on Turtle Island is at The New Victory Theater in New York City March 1 - 10

Sign-Interpretation: Friday, March 8 at 7pm
Talk-Back: Friday, March 8 at 7pm
Audio-Described: Sunday, March 10 at 5pm

Tickets start at $17, but Members save up to 40%.

About IBEX Puppetry:
Founded in 2000 by Creative Director Heather Henson, IBEX Puppetry operates activities in Central Florida, Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY. IBEX Puppetry produces Heather Henson’s original works, including Ajijaak on Turtle Island, Environmental Spectacles, Sing-Alongs, Education Initiatives, Ibex Presents, and Handmade Puppet Dreams.

IBEX's original performances and outreach have been recognized with UNIMA Citations of Excellence as well as awards from festivals and organizations around the world.

You can read more about the show from the NY Times and order tickets here.