Performances begin December 10 for the New York premiere of Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas at New Victory Theater. The show will run through January 2, 2022, with an opening set for December 17.
Based on the book by Russell and Lillian Hoban and Jim Henson’s popular classic holiday special, the story follows Emmet and Ma Otter as they enter a Christmas Eve talent contest hoping to win prize money to buy each other holiday gifts.
Christopher Gattelli, the Tony-winning choreographer of Newsies, directs and choreographs the stage adaptation of the beloved 1977 TV puppet special, featuring a mix of costumed performers and puppets from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. The show has a book by iTheatrics' Timothy Allen McDonald and Gattelli and a score by Oscar winner (and frequent Muppets collaborator) Paul Williams.
The cast includes Colin Trudell as Emmet Otter, Jordan Brownlee puppeteering Tiny Squirrel/Doc Bullfrog, Kevin Covert as Mayor Fox, LaVon Fisher-Wilson (Newsies) as Mrs. Mink/Hetty Muskrat, Matt Furtado puppeteering Skippy Squirrel/Yancy Woodchuck/Stan Weasel, Jakeim Hart as Harvey, Steven Huynh as Wendell/Weasel, Maggie Lakis as Mrs. Fox, Anney Ozar puppeteering Nutella Squirrel/Old Lady Possum, J. Antonio Rodriguez as Charlie/Will Possum, James Silson puppeteering Jiffy Squirrel/Fred Lizard, and Cass Morgan (Memphis) as Ma Otter.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas features scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Jennifer Schriever, sound design by Matt Kraus, make-up design by Melissa Munn, puppet supervision by John Tartaglia, music direction by Larry Pressgrove, orchestrations by Dan DeLange, arrangements by Pressgrove and DeLange, and casting by Calleri Jensen Davis. Ray DeMattis serves as associate director.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas is produced by Timothy Allen McDonald, iTheatrics, Writers’ Cage, Cheryl Henson, and Heather Henson, with Alex Robertson serving as associate producer.
The production will also be available to stream on-demand as part of the New Victory Theater’s virtual season December 17–January 2.
