Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (stage show)

Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, retitled Jim Henson's Emmet Otter for the second production only, is a stage musical adaptation of the 1977 television special Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, first performed in 2008. The show was developed by Goodspeed Musicals and the Jim Henson Company, with a book by Timothy A. McDonald and Christopher Gattelli, with Paul Williams both revisiting his score for the 1977 special and writing new songs exclusively for the musical. The production features a mix of live actors and stage puppets built and refurbished by the Jim Henson Company.
==Synopsis==
The musical closely follows the plot of the television special. One difference is the addition of a conflict where Alice Otter is initially prevented from performing in the talent contest by Harrison Fox due to arriving too late. Where the 1977 special was narrated by Kermit the Frog, the musical is narrated by fellow amphibian Doc Bullfrog.
==Production history==
The musical opened at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut on December 7, 2008, running until January 4, 2009. Opening night of the show included attendees Jane Henson and Jerry Nelson (Nelson having been the original puppeteer for the title character), and the Goodspeed Opera House went on to honor Paul Williams with the Goodspeed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in 2010.
It returned to Goodspeed for the following holiday season, running from December 5, 2009 to January 3, 2010. For the second run, the show's title was changed, and shortened, from Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas to Jim Henson's Emmet Otter.New Title for "Emmet" at Goodspeed
While further mountings were planned, the production encountered legal troubles that prevented it from returning to the stage."...before it hit some legal snags that kept it off stage for a decade." Ferrum College blog. December 5, 2023.
In the interim, puppets from the show were featured at the Jim Henson's Musical World concert at Carnegie Hall in 2012. Yancy Woodchuck and Doc Bullfrog also made appearances at the 2013 Puppeteers of America National Puppetry Festival at Swarthmore College, performed again by David Stephens and Tyler Bunch, respectively. A majority of the original cast members and puppeteers reunited for a one-night only concert at 54 Below in New York City on December 15, 2015, with Paul Williams and Marilyn Sokol in attendance. Unlike the Goodspeed Opera House run, the show ran without an intermission.
Following the resolving of legal issues in 2019, a reading for the musical was held in New York City in May 2019 for a projected fall 2020 premiere, but this was ultimately delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Dan DeLange. "Emmet Otter Reading in NYC," May 21, 2019.
The musical received its New York debut in 2021 (again under its full title), running at the New Victory Theater from December 10th through the 26th, in a new production by much of the same creative team. The production was originally intended to run until January 2, 2022, but it was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An on-demand streaming option was also made available from December 17 to January 2. Christopher Gattelli returned to direct and choreograph the production, with puppet supervision by John Tartaglia and puppets by the Jim Henson Company. These include new puppet versions of Emmet, his friends, Ma, and Pa Otter (the latter being shown in puppet form for the first time).Theater Mania "Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas Joins New Victory's 2021-22 Season" by Hayley Levitt, July 22, 2021The New York Times "Remember Emmet Otter and His Jug Band? They’re Back, and Onstage." by Elisabeth Vincentelli, December 9, 2021 The musical was intended to have a remount at the New Victory for the 2022 Christmas season,"Today we return the theatre once again to the ghosts, but spirits, DO NOT get too comfortable! @emmetotterlive will be returning next season. Because as Paul Williams wrote: “every ending is a beginning” even when “the river meets the sea.”" but was not included in the venue's 2022/2023 schedule.
The musical played at Chicago's Studebaker Theater for the 2023 holiday season. Originally promoted to open from November 14 through December 31, the show had its first preview on November 17th and formally opened on the 20th.BroadwayWorld "JIM HENSON'S EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS to Play Chicago This Holiday Season" by Chloe Rabinowitz, May 17, 2023Anney Fresh on Facebook, November 18, 2023Anney Fresh on Facebook, November 20, 2023
==Songs==
* The One Bathing Suit - Emmet & Ma
* Waterville - Mayor Fox, Residents of Waterville
* At the Music Store - Mrs. Mink (2008-2009 only)
* Ain't No Hole in the Washtub - Emmet & Ma
* Trust - Jane & the Squirrels (2008)/Emmet & the Squirrels (2009 onwards)
* When the River Meets the Sea - Ma & Emmet
* Barbeque - The Jug Band, Ma, & Hetty
* Alice Keep Dreaming - Pa
* Barbeque - Yancy
* Born in a Trunk - Mrs. Mink
* Brothers - The Jug Band
* Our World - Ma
* River Bottom Nightmare Band - The Nightmare Band
* Brothers in Our World - Jane (2008 only), Ma, Emmet, & the Jug Band
* When the River Meets the Sea (Reprise) - The Company
In addition to small revisions to his existing music, Paul Williams wrote four new songs: "Waterville," led by Harrison Fox as he introduces the town of Waterville and its residents; "At the Music Store," a short piece featuring Mrs. Mink that was cut after the 2009 Goodspeed Opera House run; "Trust" a song performed by a group of Squirrels; and "Alice Keep Dreaming," a ballad performed by the spirit of Pa Otter. Williams also reinstated and wrote an additional verse for "Born in a Trunk," a song written for the original special but never filmed, sung by Mrs. Mink at the talent contest.
==Differences from the special==
In addition to the extra songs, other changes were made in adapting the musical from the hour long television special into a two-act—later one-act—musical.
* In one significant plot development, Alice Otter arrives to the talent contest too late to sign up, leaving her to be encouraged by the spirit of Pa Otter with "Alice Keep Dreaming": she is eventually allowed to join the contest when John Deer (a new character created for the show) loses his performance slot after being frightened by the spotlight and running away.
* The character of Yancy Woodchuck was merged with the fruit stand owner, while Old Lady Possum's role was expanded, gaining the name "Penelope" and also serving as judge and accompanist for the talent contest.
* Supporting characters such as Will Possum and James Badger were either reduced to background roles or removed completely, with their roles in the story given to other characters.
* The acrobatic squirrel characters' role was also expanded, featured in several short transitions throughout the musical as they attempt to procure a Christmas tree, and encouraging Emmet to put a hole in the washtub in the song "Trust". They are joined by the new character Madame Squirrel, portrayed as their mother who serves as their leader for their talent contest act.
The most significant addition, used for the two Goodspeed Opera House runs, was a framing device featuring two new characters: Russ and Jane, a contemporary father and daughter who read the storybook together one Christmas Eve. For the original run, in a move similar to The Wizard of Oz and Labyrinth, Jane ultimately finds herself within the context of the story itself: she participates in the talent contest at the encouragement of the Squirrels in "Trust," gives up her slot in the talent contest for Alice after the latter misses the deadline to sign up, and encourages Alice and the jugband boys to combine the songs "Brothers" and "Our World" into "Brothers in Our World." This framing device was altered for the 2009 run of the show so that Jane and Russ' story were kept separate from the Waterville plot, with Jane only briefly interacting with the Squirrel characters in a brief fantastical reprise of "Trust."
The storyline was eventually dropped altogether for the 2015 concert presentation, and the musical is now narrated by Doc Bullfrog as of the 2021 production.
==Original Cast==
(In Order of Appearance)
* Jane - Kate Wetherhead
* Russ - Alan Campbell
* Emmet Otter - Daniel Reichard
* Mrs. Alice Otter - Cass Morgan
* Wendell Porcupine - Robb Sapp
* Mrs. Gretchen Fox - Lisa Howard
* Mayor Harrison Fox - Kevin Covert
* Yancy Woodchuck - David Stephens
* Madame Squirrel - Sheri Sanders
* Doc Bullfrog - Tyler Bunch
* Will Possum - Jeff Hiller
* Mrs. Mink - Madeleine Doherty
* George Rabbit - James Silson
* Melissa Rabbit - Anney McKilligan
* Chuck Stoat - Leo Daignault
* Howard Snake - James Silson
* Stan Weasel - Stephen Bienskie
* Catfish - Tyler Bunch
* Fred Lizard - Colin Hanlon
* Hetty Muskrat - Sheri Sanders
* Charlie Muskrat - Jeff Hiller
* Harvey Beaver - Daniel Torres
* Penelope Possum - Anney McKilligan
* Pa Otter - Alan Campbell
* Ensemble - Stephen Bienskie, Kevin Covert, Leo Daignault, Madeleine Doherty, Colin Hanlon, Jeff Hiller, Lisa Howard, Sheri Sanders, Robb Sapp, Daniel Torres
* Puppeteers - Tyler Bunch, Anney McKilligan, James Silson, David Stephens
* Swings - Kristin Feeney, Matthew Furtado
* Understudies
** Jane, Mrs, Gretchen Fox, Madame Squirrel, Hetty Muskrat: Kristin Feeney
** Russ, Pa Otter: David Stephens
** Emmet Otter: Daniel Torres
** Mrs. Alice Otter: Lisa Howard
** Wendell Porcupine, Mayor Harrison Fox, Will Possum, Chuck Stoat, Stan Weasel, Fred Lizard, Charlie Muskrat, Harvey Beaver: Matthew Furtado
** Mrs. Mink: Sheri Sanders
==Credits==
:Music and Lyrics by: Paul Williams
:Book by (adapted for the stage): Timothy A. McDonald, Christopher Gattelli
:Based on the Book by: Russell and Lillian Hoban
:Director and Choreographer: Christopher Gattelli
:Set Designer: Anna Louizos
:Costume Designer: Gregg Barnes
:Lighting Designer: Brian MacDevitt
:Music Supervisor: Michael O'Flaherty
:Music Director: Larry Pressgrove
:Assistant Music Director: William J. Thomas
:Music Arranger: Greg Brown
:Orchestrations: Dan DeLange
:Puppets by The Jim Henson Company
:Produced by Michael P. Price, Brian Henson
==2009 Cast==
* Jane - Meg Guzulescu
* Russ/Stan Weasel - Stephen Bienskie
* Emmet Otter - Justin Bohon
* Mrs. Alice Otter - Kathy Fitzgerald
* Wendell Porcupine - Scott Barnhardt
* Mrs. Gretchen Fox - Lisa Howard
* Mayor Harrison Fox - Thomas Cannizzaro
* Yancy Woodchuck/Fred Lizard/Pa Otter - David Stephens
* Madame Squirrel/Scatfish - Jennifer Barnhart
* Doc Bullfrog/Chuck Stoat - Leo Daignault
* Mrs. Mink/Hetty Muskrat - Jill Abramovitz
* Howard Snake - James Silson
* Will Possum/Charlie Muskrat - Stanley Bahorek
* Harvey Beaver - Matthew Furtado
* Old Lady Possum - Anney Ozar
* Swings - Jessica Elovsson and Craig Glenn Foster
==2015 Cast==
*Narrator - Kate Wetherhead
*Emmet Otter - Steven Booth
*Mrs. Alice Otter - Cass Morgan
*Wendell Porcupine - Robb Sapp
*Mrs. Gretchen Fox - Lisa Howard
*Mayor Harrison Fox - Kevin Covert
*Yancy Woodchuck/Pa Otter - David Stephens
*Madame Squirrel/Hetty Muskrat - Sheri Sanders
*Doc Bullfrog/George Rabbit/Catfish - Tyler Bunch
*Mrs. Mink - Lesli Margherita
*Melissa Rabbit/Penelope Possum - Anney Ozar
*Chuck Stoat - Leo Daignault
*Howard Snake - James Silson
*Stan Weasel - Stephen Bienskie
*Fred Lizard - Kevin Zak
*Charlie Muskrat - Jeff Hiller
*Harvey Beaver - Daniel Torres
*John Deer - Matthew Furtado
==2021 Cast==
*Emmet Otter - Colin Trudell
*Mrs. Alice Otter - Cass Morgan
*Pa Otter - Paul Williams
*Mayor Harrison Fox - Kevin Covert
*Mrs. Mink/Hetty Muskrat - LaVon Fisher-Wilson
*Harvey Beaver - Jakeim Hart
*Wendell Porcupine/Stan Weasel - Steven Huynh
*Mrs. Gretchen Fox - Maggie Lakis
*Charlie Muskrat/Will Possum - J. Antonio Rodriguez
*Doc Bullfrog/Chuck Stoat/Tiny Squirrel - Jordan Brownlee
*Yancy Woodchuck/Stan Weasel/Skippy Squirrel - Matthew Furtado
*Old Lady Possum/Nutella Squirrel - Anney Ozar
*Fred Lizard/Jiffy Squirrel - James Silson
==2023 Cast==
*Emmet Otter - Andy Mientus
*Mrs. Alice Otter - Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone 
*Doc Bullfrog/Tiny Squirrel/Chuck Stoat - Jordan Brownlee
*Charlie Muskrat - Nick Cearley
*Mayor Harrison Fox - Kevin Covert
*Stinky Skunk/Stan Weasel - Matt Furtado
*Mrs. Mink - Sharriese Hamilton
*Wendell Porcupine - Steven Huynh
*Harvey Beaver - Ben Mathew
*Old Lady Possum/Nutella Squirrel/Howard Snake - Anney Ozar
*Gretchen Fox/Hetty Muskrat - Emily Rohm
*Fred Lizard/Jiffy Squirrel - James Silson
*Madame Squirrel - Sawyer Smith
*Yancy Woodchuck/Skippy Squirrel/Scatfish - David Stephens
*Understudies - Adam Fane, Leah Morrow
==Gallery==
;Orginal production
Emmett-stage-photo.jpg|Ma and Emmet Otter with Doc Bullfrog
Emmet live puppets.jpg|Doc Bullfrog and Penelope Possum puppets
Emmet live puppets1.jpg|George and Melissa Rabbit puppets
Emmet_Otter_Musical_-_designs.jpg|Costume design sketches by Gregg Barnes for Emmet, Ma, Wendell and Stan.
Goodwin.jpg|thumb|300px|The Goodspeed stage
Emmet-merch.gif|Theater merchandise
;2021 production
File:emmet-2021-01.jpg
File:emmet-2021-02.jpg
File:emmet-2021-03.jpg
File:emmet-2021-04.jpg
File:emmet-2021-05.jpg
File:emmet-2021-06.jpg
File:emmet-2021-07.jpg
File:emmet-2021-08.jpg
File:emmet-2021-09.jpg
File:emmet-2021-10.jpg
==Merchandise==
File:Emmet Otter stage show mug.jpg|mug2008
File:2023 Emmet Otter stage show-magnet.jpg|magnet2023
File:2023 Emmet Otter stage show-ornament.jpg|Christmas ornament2023
File:2023 Emmet Otter stage show-squirrel plush.jpg|squirrel plush2023
==Sources==
__NOWYSIWYG__
Category:Henson Company Stage Shows
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Category:Christmas Productions