Jim Henson Retrospectacle

Becoming Real: A Muppet Performers Journey with Dave Goelz

15 April 15:30

Meet veteran Muppet performer Dave Goelz who has been bringing life to characters – including The Great Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot, Uncle Traveling Matt, Boober Fraggle and many more – for more than forty years.

Behind the Seams Discussion

Bonnie Erickson: The Woman Behind Miss Piggy

17 April 18:30

Join Bonnie Erickson – a key collaborator and member of the original design team for The Muppet Show. She created crowd favourites such as Miss Piggy, and Statler and Waldorf, and multiple other characters across a range of Jim Henson productions.

Behind the Seams Discussion

Celebrating Jim

29 April 15:30

Colleagues, collaborators, and friends come together to participate in a wide-ranging and intimate conversation about Jim’s unique contribution to the world. Projects discussed will include The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, The Muppet Movie, and more.

On Screen Compilation

Commercials & Experiments

28 April 11:00

If you only know Jim Henson through The Muppets, you won’t want to miss this mind-blowing collection of shorts, crazy commercials, and other rarely seen gems from the Henson vault.

Behind the Seams Discussion

Dave Goelz and Karen Prell in Conversation

19 April 18:30

Join Dave Goelz, puppet designer and Emmy Award-winning principal Muppet performer, and Karen Prell, puppeteer for such Henson favourites as Fraggle Rock and Labyrinth as they share behind the scenes stories of working with Jim and give insights into their impressive career trajectories since.

Behind the Seams Discussion

Extending and Honouring Jim's Legacy

23 April 18:30

Join the remarkable performers of iconic Muppet and Sesame Street characters. Master puppeteers and performers, Matt Vogel, Eric Jacobson, Carmen Osbahr and Peter Linz reflect on what Jim Henson’s legacy means to them as they work to honour Jim’s vision through sharing his extraordinary creations with today’s audiences.

On Screen Compilation

Jim Henson: His Sesame Street Story

23 April 11:00

Packed with rare clips from TV specials, guest appearances on talk and variety shows, and much more, this look at the contributions of Jim Henson and his early Sesame Street collaborators (including Frank Oz, Fran Brill, and Caroll Spinney) shows what made the Muppets such an integral part of the beloved show.

On Screen Compilation

Jim Henson: In Performance

19 April 11:00

Sure we’re interested in Jim Henson’s work as a filmmaker and creative innovator, but his brilliant talents as a performer are sometimes a little overlooked. As a puppeteer, Jim Henson created such indelible characters as Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Ernie, and the Swedish Chef. This compilation of delightful and rare archival treats illuminates the development and evolution of these classic characters, and many more.

On Screen TV special

Jim Henson's Tales from Muppetland

17 April 12:30

No one can tell a classic fairytale better than Kermit and his friends. This programme is a compilation of classic Muppet fairytale and storybook moments, including some of Kermit’s Sesame Street News reports, excerpts from The Muppet Show and special condensed versions of Tales of The Tinkerdee, Hey Cinderella and The Frog Prince.

On Screen Feature

Labyrinth

15 April 13:30

A modern-day Alice in Wonderland. Jennifer Connelly plays a young girl who must travel through the labyrinth to save her baby brother from the Goblin King (the magnificent David Bowie). Full of Henson Creature Shop’s imaginative design, the film’s eye-popping sets create a whole world existing just behind the facade of reality.

Behind the Seams Live Event

Meet-and-Greet With Bonnie Erickson and Weta Workshop Artists

14 April 15:30

Come and share your own puppet creations with Bonnie Erickson, puppet and mascot design, and builder extraordinaire. Bonnie and Weta Artists Ben Hawker and Johnny Fraser-Allen would love to meet you and your creations one-on-one.

On Screen Compilation

Miss Piggy: A Sow Is Born

18 April 11:00

There are celebrities, there are stars, and then there is Miss Piggy. This programme highlights Miss Piggy's evolution from chorus pig to superstar, her memorable performances with show business legends, and her enduring relationship with her "magnificent obsession," Kermit the Frog – showcasing clips from The Muppet Show, Muppet films, television specials, and rare guest appearances.

On Screen Compilation

Muppet History 101

21 April 11:00

Come learn your Muppet history and take your first step to becoming a Muppet expert! This compilation, co-curated by late Muppets head writer Jerry Juhl and Muppet Historian Craig Shemin follows the Muppets from their origins in SAM & FRIENDS on local television through commercials, guest appearances, clips from the rarely seen pilot for The Muppet Show—The Muppets: Sex and Violence, rare promos, and oh so much more.

On Screen Compilation

Muppet Music Moments

15 April 11:00

Music and the Muppets go together like pigs and frogs, and these classic musical numbers highlight some of the best of both. This brilliant collection features a wide range of performances from a variety of genres, featuring guest stars like Elton John, Paul Simon, Debbie Harry, and many more.

On Screen Feature

Muppets Most Wanted

28 April 13:30

While on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves wrapped into an European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick. The film stars Ty Burrell as Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon, Tina Fey as Nadya, a feisty prison guard, and Jemaine Clement as Prison King of Gulag 38B.

Behind the Seams Workshop

Pop-Up Puppet Workshop

14 April 10:30 - 21 April 10:30

A hands-on guided workshop where you can make your very own puppet, and then learn to perform it. Build a puppet out of everyday objects – based on the terrific activities from The Muppets Make Puppets by Cheryl Henson. Then take part in an interactive performance workshop led by acclaimed New Zealand-based puppeteers Jeremy Dillon and Sarah Thomson (Moe and Fern from The Moe Show).

On Screen Feature

Sesame Street Presents: Follow that Bird

25 April 11:00

After an adoption agency lures Big Bird away to live with a bird family so he can grow up “with his own kind,” he quickly becomes homesick. As he returns to Sesame Street, a couple of unscrupulous and bumbling carnival owners scheme to put him in their sideshow. In the end Big Bird realizes who his real family is—the wonderfully diverse community of Sesame Street.

On Screen Compilation

Sing! The Music of Sesame Street

27 April 12:30

This joyous and sometimes poignant salute to more than 40 years of Sesame Street music features old favourites and guest appearances by some of the music industry’s biggest stars.

Behind the Seams

The Art of Television Puppetry with the Sesame Street Muppet Performers

22 April 15:30

Learn the secrets of bringing puppet characters to life in a presentation that talks the puppet talk and walks the puppet walk. Join the brilliant performers behind many beloved Sesame Street characters as they share how they shape puppet personalities and demonstrate performance techniques in the classic Henson style.

On Screen Feature

The Dark Crystal

20 April 18:00

Mixing elements of Tolkien and fairy tales, Jim Henson and Frank Oz create a fantastic world ruled by the hulking dragon-like Skeksis, where an elf-like orphan must defeat them. Using a mix of puppetry, marionettes and more, The Dark Crystal creates a stunning world rarely equaled in any fantasy film, yet rooted in universal myth.

On Screen Feature

The Great Muppet Caper

20 April 12:30

Intrepid reporters Kermit, Fozzie Bear, and Gonzo go to London to interview fashion designer Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg), whose jewels have been stolen. When the jewel thieves strike again and Holiday’s secretary, Miss Piggy, is accused of the crime, it’s Kermit and friends to the rescue!

Live in Concert

The Jim Henson Retrospectacle Live in Concert

27 April 14:00 - 28 April 19:00

A joyous, hilarious and heartfelt tribute to Jim Henson’s musical legacy, with special guest Bret McKenzie, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and characters from Sesame Street, The Muppets and Fraggle Rock.

On Screen Feature

The Muppet Movie

14 April 13:00

The 1979 feature that represents the film roots of the Muppets, The Muppet Movie received two Academy Award nominations and is listed in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”

On Screen Feature

The Muppets

21 April 1:30

A Muppet fanatic with some help from his two human compatriots must regroup the Muppet gang to stop an avaricious oil mogul from taking down one of their precious life-longing treasures. Featuring Jason Segal, Amy Adams, a bunch of great cameos and a whole load of terrific music – including Bret’s McKenzies Oscar-winning Man or Muppet, and toetapping favourite Life's A Happy Song.

On Screen Compilation

The Muppets Heroic Sci-Fi Fantasy Spectacular

22 April 11:00

A special compilation of great Muppet moments revolving around the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, action heroes, and horror movies. Packed with guest stars and familiar characters, the Muppets put their own silly spin on genre classics.

On Screen Compilation

The Muppet Show: Muppetational Celebrational Special

16 April 11:00

In September of 1976, The Muppet Show made its debut around the world. In celebration of four decades of magic, we present a compilation of music, comedy, guest stars, frogs, pigs, chickens, and all kinds of rare clips.

On Screen Feature

The Muppets Take Manhattan

29 April 11:00

When the Muppets’ college show is a big hit, they decide to take it to Broadway, having adventures that could happen only in the Big Apple; with cameos including Gregory Hines, Brooke Shields and Liza Minelli. The movie ends with a wedding between Kermit and his porcine love, which is part of the show within a show – or could it be for real?

On Screen Compilation

This Frog: A Kermit Kompilation from Sam and Friends to Stardom

26 April 11:00

We celebrate Kermit the Frog’s 60+ years on the scene with a compilation of Jim Henson’s most memorable performances as Kermit, ranging from Sam and Friends to the famous frog’s feature film appearances, with lots more in between. The programme will cover his guest appearances, his career in journalism, great musical moments with guest stars, and his long-running romance with a certain pig.

A Celebration of Jim Henson, his legacy, his collaborators and his much-loved characters

APRIL 9-29, 2018

Wellington, New Zealand

Live In Concert

On the Giant Screen

Behind the Seams

Calendar

Becoming Real: A Muppet Performers Journey with Dave Goelz

Bonnie Erickson: The Woman Behind Miss Piggy

Celebrating Jim

Commercials & Experiments

Dave Goelz and Karen Prell in Conversation

Extending and Honouring Jim's Legacy

Jim Henson: His Sesame Street Story

Jim Henson: In Performance

Jim Henson's Tales from Muppetland

Labyrinth

Meet-and-Greet With Bonnie Erickson and Weta Workshop Artists

Miss Piggy: A Sow Is Born

Muppet History 101

Muppet Music Moments

Muppets Most Wanted

Pop-Up Puppet Workshop

Sesame Street Presents: Follow that Bird

Sing! The Music of Sesame Street

The Art of Television Puppetry with the Sesame Street Muppet Performers

The Dark Crystal

The Great Muppet Caper

The Jim Henson Retrospectacle Live in Concert

The Muppet Movie

The Muppets

The Muppets Heroic Sci-Fi Fantasy Spectacular

The Muppet Show: Muppetational Celebrational Special

The Muppets Take Manhattan

This Frog: A Kermit Kompilation from Sam and Friends to Stardom

View Guests

News Flash

Thanks to the Lovers, the Dreamers and You

NZSO Conductor Hamish McKeich to Perform with His Childhood Idols

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A Round of Applause

PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY

WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF

MAJOR PARTNERS

CULTURAL AND CREATIVE PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

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