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Stuffed and Unstrung -
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Be forewarned! They may look like cuddly little muppets wonderfully crafted by the Henson Workshop, but they have a wicked sense of humor - so no kids allowed.
Stuffed and Unstrung is live, outrageously funny, and 100 percent uncensored. It lets loose the perilous and provocative elements of comedic improvisation on stage with a bunch of very naughty puppets in a show produced by WestBeth Entertainment and Henson Alternative, the Jim Henson Company’s label for content created specifically and exclusively for adult audiences.
Henson Alternative: Stuffed and Unstrung
Created by Brian Henson & Patrick Bristow
Dec 28 - Jan 1, 2012
Cast listed below.
The show was created by award-winning director, producer, writer and performer Brian Henson, son of legendary puppet pioneer Jim Henson.
Brian Henson: “I guess for a show that is labeled “adults only,” we’re actually quite juvenile. And we’re truly excited to have you come play with us.”
Unpredictable, irreverent and rebellious, a team of expert puppeteers sets off on a trail of twisted sketches and songs at breakneck pace. This production serves up “two shows in one” as the hilarious puppet action is projected on large screens flanking the stage, while the puppeteers display their skillful talents below- all in full view of the audience.
Co-creator Patrick Bristow, best known for his numerous television appearances, most notably as Peter on the groundbreaking ABC series Ellen, directs the show, and also serves as its host. With live musical accompaniment, Stuffed and Unstrung features a cast of six puppeteers (and 80 puppets) in an uninhibited live puppet performance, as never seen before.
Stuffed and Unstrung drew rave reviews and overwhelming audience response during its NYC run. Entertainment Weekly writes, “The insanely talented cast, directed by onstage host Patrick Bristow, takes suggestions from spectators for themes, places, job descriptions and celebrities to be incorporated into the show. It’s almost like one giant Mad Lib.”
So how did this madcap multimedia romp, in which the skilled art of puppetry and intelligent comedic nonsense collide, get its start?
“Stuffed and Unstrung is a silly, daring and exciting challenge that has evolved from a small class where our puppeteers could work on their improvising skills. So back in 2005, we invited some performers, fed them pizza and hoped for the best. The class was funny and we thought other people might think it was funny too. So we had a little private show and a festival scout was there. The next thing we knew we were no longer a class but a world-traveling troupe of skilled puppeteers who improvise – or skilled improvisers who puppeteer, whichever you choose. “
This is no ordinary puppet show. For starters, you can see it all happening. The magic that’s usually a secret shared only among expert puppeteers is unveiled on stage. The human puppeteers are never concealed and the show has an open-ended structure, so the interaction with the audience prompts the spontaneous storylines to unfold on stage. So, it’s never the same show twice.
“Perhaps what has been the most rewarding for us has been how much our audiences have embraced the rebellious anarchic energy that gets unleashed with this show. Performing in Stuffed and Unstrung requires us to improvise freely and to let loose our emotional selves. We ask that of the audience too. So when we need suggestions, open your mind, release your inhibitions and feel free to shout out the first ridiculous thing that pops in your head. Chances are it is exactly what we’re looking for.”
Each show also features recreations of a couple of Jim Henson classics that first aired on The Ed Sullivan Show and launched the Henson phenomenon.
Stuffed and Unstrung evolved from Henson’s previous production Puppet Up! – Uncensored, which made its debut at the 2006 HBO Comedy Festival (Aspen, CO) and later toured the 2006 Edinburgh Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland), The 2007 Comedy Festival (Las Vegas, NV) and Australia’s Sydney Big Laugh Comedy Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (both 2007). Puppet Up continued as a workshop piece in monthly performances at Avalon Hollywood. The New York engagement of Stuffed and Unstrung (April, 2010) marked the debut of a completely revamped production featuring all new technical wizardry with original music and staging.
Cast Bios
PATRICK BRISTOW (Co-Creator/Director/Host) - In 2010, he appeared off-Broadway at the Union Square Theatre as director and stage host of the revamped "Puppet Up," (renamed "Stuffed and Unstrung" for its New York debut). The show, a mix of improvised, uncensored comedy sketches and recreations of vintage Jim Henson comedy pieces, garnered rave reviews, including an "A-" from Entertainment Weekly. Bristow is also credited as co-creator (alongside Brian Henson). He continues to teach improv in Los Angeles through his own school/repertory company, Improvatorium. Website: http://patrickbristow.com.
BRIAN CLARK - “Performing in Stuffed and Unstrung is like being possessed by multiple demons at the same time. Only these demons are made of felt and when they make you say something bad, technically it’s still your fault.” Brian Clark co-produced, co-storied and starred in Sizzle (an improvised Borat-style comedy about global warming). A member of the Groundlings, he later discovered puppetry, a helpful skill when he was cast in Puppet Up! And as a puppet panelist on the Game Show Network’s Late Night Liars. Writing credits include That Gay Ghost, In the Club, Yokies, Baydogs and The Children of Toromiro. Brian co-founded the sketch comedy group The Deviants and though he regularly fails at relationships, he currently employs himself by giving sex advice to women from the male perspective as a contributing writer for BettyConfidential.com
PEGGY ETRA - Studied at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and with the Groundlings, with whom she has also performed. Today she continues honing her craft under the tutelage of Patrick Bristow and she is thrilled to be a part of Stuffed and Unstrung. Peggy would like to thank Willie Etra for being the music in her life.
DREW MASSEY - Drew is an actor, puppeteer, and voice over artist whose film credits include Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The Hangover, Men In Black, Muppets From Space, The Producers, Doctor Dolittle, and Team America: World Police, among others. Drew has also performed in TV shows such as Angel, Greg the Bunny, Warren the Ape, Malcolm in the Middle, Muppets Tonight, and Crank Yankers. He is nice to the elderly, loves animals, and is convinced that dairy products are bad for him. He also helped create some of the many puppets featured in Stuffed and Unstrung.
TED MICHAELS - “My favorite moments in the show are when we strike on an absurd idea and everyone goes nuts with it-piling on nonsense from every angle until that absurd idea somehow begins to make perfect sense.” Ted is an alum of the performing company at Groundlings Theater in LA where he was featured in their main stage shows. He also performed with Eddie Izzard in Mr. Izzard’s One Word Improv stage show in LA. Recently, he puppeteered characters for MTV’s spinoff of Greg the Bunny, called Warren The Ape. In addition to many commercial appearances, his television credits include roles on The Comeback, Campus Ladies, According to Jim, Girlfriends, and Mad TV.
ALLAN TRAUTMAN -“With television, you only get to see half the fun we have. Now you can see what happens when the cameras stop rolling.” Allan Trautman began his performing career as an actor, noted for his portrayal of “Tarman” in the cult classics Return of the Living Dead: Parts One and Two. He has gone on to puppeteer in such features as Muppets From Space, Cats & Dogs, Babe, Men in Black, films, and Doctor Dolittle (for which he was also performance coordinator). His television puppeteering credits include Greg the Bunny, Unhappily Ever After, Muppets Tonight and Dinosaurs, and he was nominated for two Emmys for his work on D.C. Follies. He is currently featured in the web series Lost Untangled, which can be seen at abc.com.
VICTOR YERRID - “The best part of my night is when somebody comes up to me after the show and says ‘Wow, you were fantastic! How do you come up with all that ridiculous stuff?’ Then they usually say ‘Wait…you’re not Ted Michaels.” Victor is an actor and puppeteer who likes calling people “Hank” regardless of their name. His credits include The Hangover, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Team America, Men In Black II, Robot Chicken, The Sarah Silverman Program, Warren The Ape, Crank Yankers, Angel, Greg The Bunny, Sid The Science Kid, and Sesame Street. Victor enjoys most berry-based smoothies and adores his wife Janet.
Note that a special New Year’s eve show on December 31 at 7pm ends with a live telecast from Times Square humorously counted down to midnight (EST) by these fabulous felt friends.
Stuffed and Unstrung is recommended for ages 17 and up and contains graphic language.
Performance Dates & Times
Wednesday, December 28, 2011 @8:00pm
Thursday, December 29, 2011 @8:00pm
Friday, December 30, 2011 @8:00pm
Saturday, December 31, 2011 @7:00pm
Sunday, January 01, 2012 @2:00pm
Sunday, January 01, 2012 @7:00pm
Tickets
Dec 28, 29: $38, $45
Dec 30, 31 & Jan 1: $45, $55
$100 Gold Seats (includes VIP seating, admission to the Gold Bar, and
complimentary beverages)