Jim Henson's Fantastic World in Orlando, Fla.
Orange County History Center Hosting Exhibit through May 3, 2009
The Kermit the Frog puppet sitting at the entrance of the Smithsonian traveling exhibit garners “oohs” and “ahhs” from visitors who have come to take a peek into the creative works of Henson. Some treat the visit as a Jim Henson pilgrimage and bring their own Kermit the Frog or Miss Piggy puppets to pay homage to the famous puppeteer. They browse more than 100 sketches, props, and Muppets and watch video clips of the late Henson (1936 to 1990).
Bringing Out the Inner Child: Jim Henson’s Fantastic World in Orlando
Most visitors will be seeking out familiar Muppets. The Kermit the Frog on display was constructed sometime in the early 1970s although the first Kermit was crafted from ping pong balls and the spring coat of Henson’s mother in 1955. Other Muppets on display include the colorful, fuzzy trio from the "Mah Nà Mah Nà" "The Muppet Show" skit, Rowlf the Dog, and the lovable duo, Bert and Ernie.
A selection of Jim Henson’s sketches for Muppets and stage scenes are sprinkled throughout the Fantastic World exhibit. They along with pages from various scripts offer insight into Henson’s imaginative mind. Many of the Muppet characters emerged from a specific emotion or feeling and some sketches illustrate Henson’s creative thought process. Examples of Henson’s graphic design work from high school and college are included in the exhibit along with work from “Sam and Friends,” “Sesame Street,” “The Muppet Show,” and “Fraggle Rock.”
Video clips show Henson in various stages of his life including his early days with the “Sam and Friends” television series (1955 to 1961), talk show interview clips, and sample television commercials which Henson has described some as being “quite strange and macabre.” “Sam and Friend,” which first aired on the NBC affiliate WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., propelled Henson and the Muppets into the national spotlight.
Jim Henson’s Fantastic World Basics
The exhibit kicked off with a grand opening reception at the Orlando history museum on February 5 with Orlando puppeteer and youngest child of Jim Henson, Heather Henson. Jim Henson's Fantastic World opened to the public on February 6. Jane Henson, Jim’s wife and cofounder of the Muppets, gave a behind-the-scenes snapshot into the early beginnings of the pop-culture phenomenon to an intimate group on February 7.
The exhibit is “organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Services and The Jim Henson Legacy with cooperation with the Henson Family, the Jim Henson Company, the Muppets Studio, LLC, and Sesame Workshop.” (Source: Orange County Regional History Center)
Jim Henson’s Fantastic World is on display now through May 3, 2009. The Orange County Regional History Center will be open seven days a week between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. through May 3. Adult admission is $12, discounts are given to children, seniors, students, and AAA members. Photography is not permitted. A podcast is available for download on the Orange County Regional History Center's Web site.
Muppets, Music & Magic: March and April, 2009
In conjunction with Jim Henson’s Fantastic World, the history center is hosting Muppets, Music & Magic: Jim Henson’s Legacy, a film festival celebrating Henson’s short programs and feature films. Each weekend in March and April, 2009, will feature a different Jim Henson program. They range from March 7 and April 4 showings of Labyrinth (1986) to The Muppet Movie (1979) on March 14. Individual tickets for the film festival cost $8 per adult. Contact the Orange County Regional History Center for film dates and times; 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, Fla., Tel: (407) 836-8500.
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