We are closer now than ever before….to Christmas! Which means the return of holiday films and specials. We all have our favorite holiday classics, fromRudolph the Red-Nosed ReindeertoThe Muppet Christmas Carol. Speaking ofThe Muppets, fans may remember the Jim Henson holiday specialEmmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas. It’s a beautiful story full of love, cute sets and puppets, music, and an all-around good feeling. It is a beloved Muppet special from the time it came out in 1977 to now in 2023.
Emmet Otterbecame far more than a one-hour special in its 46-year lifespan. The show was also adapted into a live-action stage play. The play combines the puppets from the film and actors playing fans' favorite characters. It was directed by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli with musical accompaniment by, of course, Academy Award winner Paul Williams. Fans of the movie have witnessed this masterpiece on the small and big screens and have not been disappointed with the stage play.
What Is Emmet Otter About?
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas Movie
Like anotherclassic Muppet Christmasadaptation, this adorable Jim Henson special is based on a children’s book by Russell and Lillian Hoben, initially published in 1971. Emmet Otter and his Ma spend their days doing odd jobs and laundry for the people of Frogtown Hollow to earn a little money. But since Pa died, the two have been struggling financially to the point they have to sell Pa’s old stuff to get by. But they still greet their town (and each other) with optimism and smiles.
Emmet and Ma want to give each other a real Christmas present this year: a nice guitar for Emmet and a piano for Ma, but neither have the money to do so. They both enter the talent show to try and win the $50 prize but unfortunately lose to the Riverbottom Gang’s band, The Nightmare. Emmet, Ma, and Emmet’s band are disappointed at first until Ma suggests they combine their songs and sing together. When one of the talent show’s judges overhears them, he hires them to regularly perform at his restaurant.
It’s a wonderful tale filled with brilliant puppetry and lovely music. Rumors were spread of anewEmmet Otteradaptation in 2019, with Brett McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords) writing the script and music for it. It was supposedly going to be a new movie in the works, possibly a remake for the modern era. No other news or updates have been made regarding this, but seeing this classic in a modern light would have been interesting. Still, it’s incredible to see how farEmmet Otterhas come since 1977 and how much it is still loved today.
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Emmet Otter’s Journey
The book was adapted into a television special in 1977. It took various methods of puppeteer work to make Emmet and his friends come to life. The usual Muppet hand puppets were used, but the creators also used marionettes in the film. The special felt like a theater show long before it became a stage play, as Henson and the producers used theater techniques like black light illusion and bunraku.
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Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmaswas originally narrated by Kermit the Frog and even had some scenes with him. That was until Henson sold the rights toThe Muppetsto Disney in 2004, and Disney decided to cut out Kermit’s scenes and narration in the 2005 DVD special. When audiences last heard aboutEmmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas, the TV special was getting a limited theatrical run back in December 2018. Now, in 2023, the Chicago stage play looks magical. Check out the video below to see for yourself.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmashad their first ever live show in December 2008 at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut. It has since gone through revisions, adding new songs, modifications, etc., to become the perfect combination of live actors and puppeteering. The stage play lasted until 2010, but the cast reunited in 2015 for a one-night concert at 54 Below in New York City. The show was once again revived in 2021 at the New Victory Theater in New York and intended to run again in 2022, but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented that from happening.The stage playadaptation is now at Chicago’s Studebaker Theater until August 07, 2025.
Emmet Otterhas such a beautiful message, with Emmet and his Ma try their hardest to get by, especially after the death of Pa. It’s hard for them to afford the essentials, let alone a nice Christmas present for one another. Now people can see the holiday charm that isEmmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmaswith thefantastic stage musical.
