Big Bird | Caroll Spinney | Center for Puppetry Arts | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor
I watched more than my share of Sesame Street when I was a kid and I'll always be a fan. Of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. I didn't know Caroll Spinney as a kid, but did get to know him better at Dragon Con in Atlanta. He was a featured guest more than once. The memories he's given me through these two endearing characters are countless.
Oscar the Grouch | Caroll Spinney | Center for Puppetry Arts | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor
My friend Alison—we volunteered at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History together for three years—shared with me earlier that Oscar was one of her favorites. I've invited her to Atlanta to see him "in-person" at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Come on down, Alison....let's have a rotten day! The Jim Henson Collection, where Oscar is on display, is phenomenal. All of your favorite Muppets are there, from Kermit the Frog to Miss Piggy to Pigs in Space to Bert and Ernie, and yes, even Elmo! If you want a FULL Muppets experience, go see the screening of "The Muppet Christmas Carol" on Saturday, December 8, but get there early...your tickets for the film includes museum entry! You get to experience the Worlds of Puppetry Museum—including The Jim Henson Collection—before the movie! A personal "Thank you!" to Caroll Spinney and Sesame Street for all the wonderful memories.
"When evil screams throughout the world, when all three suns converge, when all that's fair and fine seems lost... a hero will emerge!" It's easy to understand why Jim Henson's 1982 movie The Dark Crystal has become a cult classic all over the world. Its edge-of-your-seat suspense and mesmerizing story is captivating from the very beginning. Now, fans all around Atlanta and those visiting Atlanta can see a new special exhibition, Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic, and you don't even have to know what a Skeksis is to enjoy it!
Jen | Jim Henson's "The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic" | Center for Puppetry Arts | Photo: Travis S. Taylor
Haven't seen the movie? Imagine... "Another planet, another time. 1,000 years ago the mysterious Dark Crystal was damaged by one of the Urskeks and an age of chaos has began! The evil race of grotesque birdlike lizards the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. Meanwhile the orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of the peace-loving wizards called the Mystics, embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal which gives the Skesis their power and restore the balance of the universe." - Anthony Pereyra
Jim Henson's "The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic" | Center for Puppetry Arts | Photo: Travis S. Taylor
The Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic exhibit showcases original Brian Froud artwork, animatronic prototypes, costumes and props. Everything in the exhibit is fascinating, hands down. As a former wanna-be-artist of drawing (mostly pencil), I was personally blown away by Brian Froud's artwork. I encourage your to take ample time to explore these magical works of art and ponder the imagination that created the drawings.
Jim Henson's "The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic" | Center for Puppetry Arts | Photo: Travis S. Taylor
The exhibition, in the Dean DuBose Smith Special Exhibits Gallery—a separate space from The Jim Henson Collection and The Global Collection museums—displays more than 50 artifacts, including several prototypes and early versions of the film's iconic characters, as well as the actual puppets used in the Saturn Award-winning film, some of them worn and operated by humans, so those are HUGE puppets!
Jim Henson's "The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic" | Center for Puppetry Arts | Photo: Travis S. Taylor
I love a themed outing and I've got one for you that you can do with the kids, friends or on a date! You can do these all in one day or over a period of days. 1. The film takes place on another planet, bring your group or date to a planetarium! There's the Bentley Planetarium at Tellus Science Museum; the Fernbank Science Center Planetarium at the Fernbank Science Center (not the museum on Clifton); or the Georgia Tech Observatory at Georgia Tech's School of Physics. 2. Watch or re-watch the movie with your group or date! It's only 93 minutes and they'll go quickly. 3. Go see Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magicat the Center for Puppetry Arts! You don't have to watch the movie first to enjoy the exhibition, but I re-watched it and it totally enhanced my exhibit experience. My friend Barry has not seen the movie before and still thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit. Have fun!
Jim Henson's "The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic" | Center for Puppetry Arts | Photo: Travis S. Taylor
You and your friends will get to explore how Jim Henson, Brian Froud, Frank Oz and others created The Dark Crystal’s mythical world of Thra, as well as take a look at the film’s impact and legacy over the years...you get to see up close and personal the behind-the-scenes work that made this classic cult film so legendary!
Jim Henson's "The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic" | Center for Puppetry Arts | Photo: Travis S. Taylor
Your ticket to see Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic includes access to The Jim Henson Collection, which has some other amazing artifacts from The Dark Crystal. Take yourself and your imagination to the Center for Puppetry Arts and enjoy this fascinating, magical exhibition. Thank you to the Center of Puppetry Arts for the tickets to the exhibition, through Brave PR. All opinions are my own and are in no way influenced by having been hosted.
Combine the creative masterminds of Jim Henson (The Muppets), George Lucas (Star Wars) and David Bowie (pop icon) and the only possible result is a classic that will delight generations beyond imagination. Imagination is precisely what went into Jim Henon's Labyrinth. Mastery of the aforementioned person's respective professions is precisely what brought Labyrinth to fruition, which continues to be a movie and puppetry fan favorite!
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Journey to Goblin City | Center for Puppetry Arts
Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Journey to Goblin City, A 30th Anniversary Celebration opens at the Center for Puppetry Arts on Friday, September 2, 2016, part of the Center's 30th anniversary celebration of the fantastical film Labyrinth. On display in this immersive special exhibition, in addition to many other items, are more than 20 never before seen artifacts and memorabilia from the film. You'll see noted on the placards accompanying the items on display if it was used in the film 30 years ago.
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Journey to Goblin City | Center for Puppetry Arts
Featured items include original goblin puppets from the film, the plaster mold for the head of the original Hoggle puppet, crystal balls used by David Bowie, his costume from the M.C. Escher-inspired stair scene and behind the scenes video, photography and drawings from the production, multiple props and masks used in the film and clever movie-inspired markers indicating how to navigate the labyrinth-inspired exhibition space.
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Journey to Goblin City | Center for Puppetry Arts
When I first walked into the exhibition, around the first corner I wanted to continue to the right, then heard a voice that said "Not that way!" (or something like that). I looked around and then noticed the markers on the floor indicating the correct way to proceed through the brick-walled labyrinth that is this exhibition. The exhibition is relatively small, but in no way modest. There's artifact after artifact, video after video, images and copy blocks...you could easily spend an hour or more exploring this spectacular exhibition!
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Journey to Goblin City | Center for Puppetry Arts
Most of you who have read this far probably know what Labyrinth is about, but if you do not, or it's been 30 years since you've seen it, it's an exciting story about a selfish 16-year old girl, performed by the wonderfully talented Jennifer Connelley, who has only 13 hours to solve a labyrinth and rescue her baby brother. She had wished for him to be taken away, which was granted by Jareth the Goblin King, performed brilliantly by David Bowie.
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Journey to Goblin City | Center for Puppetry Arts
In conjunction with the opening of the exhibition and the opening of Dragon Con, the evening before, on Thursday, September 1, the Center for Puppetry Arts will host The Labyrinth Masquerade Ball! Labyrinth-inspired costumes are encouraged as there will be a costume contest, judged by none other than Brian Henson—son of Jim Henson and cast member of Labyrinth—who will award Henson-related prizes to the winners!
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Journey to Goblin City | Center for Puppetry Arts
When worlds collide... I had not realized it before, but in researching I found out that the late Kenny Baker (of R2-D2 fame from Star Wars) was also in Labyrinth, a member of the Goblin Corps. I'm certain there are many, many more connections between cast, crew and other works, but that takes nothing away from Labyrinth being wholly unique.
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Journey to Goblin City | Center for Puppetry Arts
Be sure when you visit that if you're visiting just to see Journey to Goblin City, that you make time to stop in the Worlds of Puppetry Museum...it has a section dedicated to Jim Henson's Labyrinth, which includes (pictured above) Sir Didymus! You will notice placards in the Journey to Goblin City thanking the Henson Family, and the many other contributors to the exhibition, but if you ever meet a member of the Henson Family, please thank them for their treasured contribution to the Center for Puppetry Arts and to Atlanta...it means more to the puppet and puppetry fandom than perhaps they'll ever know. Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Journey to Goblin City is on display through Fall of 2017, but don't wait. This is one exhibition, a truly special exhibition, that you do not want to miss. Check out what else is going on at the Center for Puppetry Artsand perhaps couple another event or activity with seeing Journey to Goblin City!
There are far more than 10 reasons to visit the Center for Puppetry Arts...there are thousands! But for now, and in no particular order, here are 10 fun, festive, and otherwise wonderful reasons to explore the Center for Puppetry Arts...
Madame, Center for Puppetry Arts
1. You get to hang out with celebrities whose humor is evergreen! Have you met Madame?
Center for Puppetry Arts
2. You get to hang out with Queen Elizabeth I. She may not be the current Queen of England, but how often do you get to be in the presence of royalty?
Charlie Muskrat and Harvey Beaver, Center for Puppetry Arts
3. You get to hang out and make music with a muskrat and a beaver...and quite a few other Jim Henson creations!
7. You get to hang out with lots of happy people...and happy puppets!
Cinderella, Center for Puppetry Arts
8. You get to try on shoes with Cinderella! Not really, but you can see a magical adaptation of the Cinderella story.
Skesis, Center for Puppetry Arts
9. You get to meet a larger-than-life Skesis from The Dark Crystal!
Pinocchio, Center for Puppetry Arts
10. You get to walk around with Pinocchio...just watch his step!
There you go...10 perfectly good reasons to visit the Center for Puppetry Arts, one of Atlanta's absolutely fascinating tourist and learning destinations. The museum alone is home to more than 350 puppets, of all sorts. The total count doesn't include performances, classes, workshops, new exhibits, and an upcoming, quite significant expansion! Puppets, puppets, puppets! Head to the Center for Puppetry Arts and explore. There's something for kids of all ages!
The Center for Puppetry Arts, in Midtown, Atlanta, is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to the art of puppetry in the United States and one of the most surprisingly amazing hidden gems in the city. Rather, I should write hidden "Jim's" in the city…as in Jim Henson, the 20th Century puppetry pioneer and father of the Muppets.
Kermit the Frog and Jim Henson (Kermit's creator) cut the ceremonial ribbon opening the doors of the Center for Puppetry Arts in September 1978. Henson returned 10 years later to perform, with a Muppets ensemble, two shows of "The Muppets Take Atlanta." I so wish I had seen that show!
Only one year before, in 1987, I had driven by the Center for Puppetry Arts for the first time. I'd since wondered "what's inside?" I knew from the obvious size of the buildings that there must be a lot going on inside, but I never heard anything about it.
It wasn't until today, in November 2010 and countless pass-bys since, that I realized that the Center is quite a major production.
Inside, the Center is home to a massive museum featuring thousands of puppetry artifacts, including puppets of all sizes, props, sketches, videos and a lot more, which is a mere percentage of the Center's permanent collection. The Center also has performance spaces, educational facilities and a gift shop.
The Muppets
Growing up with an always-makes-me-smile fondness for the Muppets (The Muppet Show), I want to begin my recanting of this visit—this discovery—with the Jim Henson exhibits. While I indulged in a guided tour, keep in mind that a visitor who is on a self-guided tour may visit the museum's exhibits in any order they like and stay until closing if desired.
The Muppet Show
The first Henson character a visitor sees is Big Bird…a more than eight-foot tall "canary" from the globally popular children's show Sesame Street. Amazingly, Caroll Spinney has played Big Bird since 1969, as well as Oscar the Grouch. It's been said that he's quoted as having had the pleasure of playing the "Yin and the Yang" of Sesame Street.
The next Muppet in sight, arguably the most famous of them all, is Kermit the Frog. Kermit is featured in the "A Man & His Frog" exhibit, located immediately outside the more extensive "Jim Henson: Puppeteer" exhibit.
Puppeteer features Rowlf the Dog, a piano-playing canine and the first internationally recognized Muppet. After a year of starring in Purina Dog Chow commercials, Rowlf became the sidekick, from 1963 to 1969, on The Jimmy Dean Show. Rowlf was performed by Frank Oz who would later serve as the puppeteer behind Jedi Master Yoda in Star Wars, a jewel in the crown that is his career.
The Rowlf Muppet is displayed presenting a rose to Lassie, that he reportedly "had a crush on" throughout The Jimmy Dean Show.
One of my favorite Muppet characters (admittedly, I have several) is the Swedish Chef, the only Muppet to ever feature real human hands. He's on display mixing up a dish that I'm sure would have ended up strewn across half the exhibit floor were it not for the plexiglass.
My tour guide told me that Henson liked the Swedish accent, thus the character's dialect. I'm not sure which is worse, his accent or culinary skill, but both induce a smile, and likely a hearty laugh, quicker than you can pop a kernel of corn.
The Swedish Chef: Popcorn
The Puppeteer exhibit has many other characters, including a hand puppet version of the larger than life La Choy Dragon who was seen only in commercials. I don't remember seeing the La Choy Dragon commercials, but evidently my mother did see them because I do remember La Choy always being in the cupboard.
La Choy Dragon Commercial
Other exhibits, in the Love Family Atrium, include, to name just a few, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth, starring David Bowie.
Speaking of celebrities, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Ben Browder this year at Dragon*Con. Browder was the star of Farscape, a science-fiction television show featuring a significant amount of puppetry.
Creating convincing characters in the form of puppets for a high-action, drama sci-fi series was a challenge—especially for demanding sci-fi enthusiasts, such as myself. That challenge was met with success, especially with Rygell XVI, a vertically challenged alien (puppet) of royal lineage frequntly performing from a floating throne.
The Center for Puppetry Arts is not only for kids. There are grown-up-only exhibits and teen and adult performances, too.
One of the racier puppets on display is the renowned "Madame" who was performed by Wayland Flowers. The word on the street is that Madame has been resurrected and is now performing, via a new puppeteer, in New Jersey.
Puppets: The Power of Wonder
OK, back to the beginning of the guided tour. I had the pleasure of an individual tour given by a delightful and obviously puppetry-savvy young lady who was professional, enthusiastic and in-tune with her tourists. We started in the museum exhibit "Puppets: The Power of Wonder" where she explained what constitutes a puppet, which is a lot more than I knew.
The first puppet on display is a "phoenix" made of found objects. Activated by the push of a button, it's a large automated puppet complete with lights and sound. I made the comment that "the phoenix is appropriate for Atlanta." The Phoenix sometimes symbolizes Atlanta as it too arose from the ashes, paralleling Atlanta's rise from the ashes following the Civil War.
She looked at me quizzically and told me that I was the first to make the connection between the phoenix being at the beginning of the tour and the City of Atlanta. My sense of pride in having made the connection was soon to be dashed as questions to test my true intellect where posed throughout the tour…Let's just say that it was indeed a learning experience.
Although I focus mainly on Jim Henson's Muppets in this post, throughout the museum are puppets from around the world representing a wide array of puppetry techniques, including:
marionette,
hand,
animatronic,
pole,
body,
hybrid,
shadow, and
many others.
The mission of the Center for Puppetry Arts is:
"…to entertain and enlighten audiences, nurture the world community of artists, expand the puppetry art form, and explore the past, present, and future of puppetry."
To meet that end, offerings include workshops, tours, field trips, performances, film series, outreach programs, a puppet factory and distance learning…certainly more than I can discuss here. If you have even a mild interest in puppets of any kind, this tour is one you will find intriguing and exciting…it's a door to a whole new world of imagination and artistry.
I've long admired puppets, many of whom were childhood friends from television and theatre. Today, I gained a new appreciation for puppetry—the art form. It has seemingly been a lifetime since I was so impressed, so awakened by any form of art…this is, by far, one of Atlanta's best entertainment and educational destinations.
The Center for Puppetry Arts has an incredibly full calendar of performances—for children, families, adults and holiday specific. The information shared in this post is primarily about the museum. Please refer to the Center's website for information about performances and special events.
At the museum and theatrical performances, photography, videography and even texting is strictly prohibited. Why? I didn't even have to ask…my tour guide clearly and succinctly explained that the puppets and performances are copyrighted. So the rule is not only protection for them, the rule also serves as protection for visitors.
The Center for Puppetry Arts will not have to pull my strings to get me back. I will be returning later this month for a major production of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," based on the 1964 television classic performed by dozens of "live" puppets!
Touring the Center for Puppetry Arts
Date toured: Wednesday, November 4, 2010 Location: 1404 Spring Street, NW at 18th Street (directions and map)
Hours: Tuesdays-Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mondays – Closed. Cost: Free on Thursdays 1-3 p.m.; otherwise, Adults $10, Children $9 Parking: Free onsite parking, behind the Center MARTA: Arts Center Station Facebook: Center for Puppetry Arts
Website: http://www.puppet.org/
