[NoHo Arts District, CA] – “Puppet Up! – Uncensored” is a night of outrageous, off-the-cuff comedy featuring 80 of the MISKREANT puppets brought to life by a cast of world-class comedian puppeteers from The Jim Henson Company.
This is no ordinary puppet show.
About “Puppet Up! – Uncensored”
Created by legendary puppeteer and award-winning director Brian Henson and directed by Patrick Bristow (“Ellen,” “Seinfeld,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”), “Puppet Up! – Uncensored” is never the same show twice.
Based on suggestions from the audience, Patrick and his team of expert puppeteers create a hilarious two-shows-in-one: the improvised puppet action projected live on screens above the stage, with the puppeteers racing around below in full view of the audience. The show also features recreations of classic pieces originally created by Jim and Jane Henson, and Frank Oz that haven’t been seen by live audiences in decades.
Audiences can enhance their “Puppet Up! – Uncensored” experience at the pre-show VIP speakeasy, where the monster maître d’ will guide them to the hidden mezzanine of the historic Montalban theatre! Beginning an hour and 15 minutes before curtain, this splashy new experience includes priority seating, a complimentary cocktail, live puppet lounge music, photo opportunities with iconic Henson characters, an autographed Puppet Up! Hot Dog, and a behind-the-scenes conversation with Brian Henson. Do you know the secret password?
Entertainment Weekly said, “It’s nearly impossible to spend the show’s two hours doing anything but laugh. Grade: A.”
Time Out said, “Puppet Up! – Uncensored combines top puppeteering talent with music, jokes and shenanigans. It’s not just about watching the puppets either—you’ll be mesmerized by the sheer skill of the puppeteers on full display, who are coming up with songs on the fly while manipulating puppets on stage. If you’re a Jim Henson buff, this show is not to be missed: you’ll see recreations of Henson classics with a twist. In case ‘uncensored’ wasn’t enough warning, make sure you leave the kids at home for this one.”
The Los Angeles Times said, “You cannot imagine the mayhem that erupts when an uninhibited house takes its cues from the gifted lunatics onstage. As uproariously uncensored an adult entertainment as you could hope for without lap dancers!”
About Henson Alternative
Henson Alternative is The Jim Henson Company’s label for content created specifically and exclusively for adult audiences. In 1955, Jim Henson’s first television production “Sam & Friends” appeared on late-night television as a lead in to “The Tonight Show,” establishing a standard in the Company’s work for irreverent, creative comedy projects that spoke to adults. Appearances on “The Jimmy Dean Show,” “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and “Saturday Night Live,” as well as numerous short films for clients like IBM and AT&T, proved that Henson puppetry was not limited to children. Today, Henson Alternative continues to produce and develop projects for this audience. Credits include “No, You Shut Up!,” (Fusion), “Neil’s Puppet Dreams” (Nerdist), “Tinseltown” (Logo), “Puppet Up! – Uncensored” (a live puppet improvisational show named one of the top 10 “Best Stage Shows” by Entertainment Weekly), and the feature film “Happytime Murders”. (www.hensonalternative.com)
About WestBeth Entertainment
Arnold Engelman, Founder/President. WBE has consistently delivered critically acclaimed, financially successful, groundbreaking productions for over 40 years. Beginning as The Westbeth Theatre Center and morphing into WestBeth Entertainment, developing and introducing artists and talent to North American audiences is a big part of WestBeth’s history. From Billy Connolly to Eddie Izzard, The Jim Henson Company to John Leguizamo and Trevor Noah to Hannah Gadsby, WBE has been the creative catalyst, partner and producer of some of the most innovative performances and productions on the continent in venues throughout North America including Madison Square Garden, The Hollywood Bowl, Toronto’s Massey Hall, The Chicago Theatre and Radio City Musical Hall.
WestBeth’s most recent productions include the Ray Davies musical ‘Sunny Afternoon’ at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and potential future North American tour, Eddie Izzard’s triple extended New York Off-Broadway run of ‘Hamlet’, as well as the record breaking runs of ‘Hamlet’ in Chicago, San Fransico and Seattle. Oher productions include, Professor Alice Roberts ‘From Cell to Civilization’ Canada tour, Jarlath Regan’s ‘In Bits’ North American tour, Tommy Tiernan’s ‘Tommedian’ North American tour, Eddie Izzard’s The Remix Live North American tour, Aunty Donna’s The Magical Dead Cat Tour across the US and Canada, Off-Broadway production of Eddie Izzard performing Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations followed by a 9 week limited run in London’s prestigious Garrick Theatre to critical acclaim, Professor Brian Cox’s Horizon’ tour of North America, and Brian Henson’s Puppet Up! Uncensored for multiple runs in Los Angeles.
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