“Emmet Otter’s Jug Band-Christmas”

The show is a combination of muppets ( aka puppets) and live people. The muppets/puppets are designed by the Jim Henson people and appear to follow the original TV special. The sets by Anna Louizos are powerful and simple. They allow the action to move quickly as there is no intermission in this story about a town that decided to have a Christmas “talent show” with a grand prize of $50 ( sounds like very little, but evidently in  Frogtown Hollow that is a lot of money). Both mother called MA ( deftly handled by Kathleen Elizabeth Montelone)and Emmet ( a superb job by Andy Mientus) are in hopes that they can enter and win the prize so this Christmas they can give the gift for which the other has longed.

I must tell you that the intro, allowing us to meet the townsfolk is adorable and works to get the audience used to the combination of puppets and humans working together to tell the story. My kids grew up on Sesame Street and watching “The Muppets” on Saturday evening was always a blast for me. I have always admired Henson’s creativity and what I call “genius” and this show is a truly remarkable view into that creativity. The talent show is hysterical and you will find yourself falling out of your seat. note: on the way home you might have to explain some things to your young ones.

Let’s talk about the rest of the cast. Doc Bullfrog, Tiny Squirrel and Chuck Stout are handled by Jordan Brownlee. Charlie Muskrat by Nick Cearley. Mayor Fox (superbly handled by Kevin Covert) and his wife, who does her number as Beverley Badger ( Emily Rohm, who also playsHetty Muscrat and Owl, is a stitch) are terrific. David Stephens is Yancy Woodchuck, Skippy Squirrel and Scatfish. Speaking of squirrels, Madame Squirrel is played to perfection by Sawyer Smith- wow! The number in the talent show will have you in stitches. Fred Lizard and Jiffey Squirrel are handled by James Silson. Chicagoan Sharriese Hamilton does a strip in the talent show that is DYNAMITE! Harvey Beaver is played by Ben Matthew and Anney Ozar does Howard Snake, Nutella Squirrel and Old Lady Possum. I believe I got them all, except the two names of the understudies, local actors Adam Fane and Leah Morrow. The combination of human and muppet works and at some point we forget who is who and which is which.

Directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli with a cast of humans that are from New York and local, this is pure magic to watch. During this performance, I thought about nothing and just had the time of my life. I had spoken with Paul Williams prior to the show, giving him one of my traditional “opening night candies”. After the standing ovation, I walked down the aisle to shake his hand and offer him another for the joy that his music brought to all of Chicago tonight. Around The Town friend Paul Lisnek joined us for a photo which might already be on Facebook- Al and Two Pauls!

Getting back to the story, and yet not wanting to give away the ending. We find out that in life even when all things do not happen as we desire, wish for or crave, we can still find the answer and have a happy ending. This story does just that. It brings us the true spirit  of the Holiday Season.