Today in 1936, a creative genius named Jim Henson was born. And though the world lost him while he was still far too young, the characters and worlds he created live on in our hearts to this very day: “Sesame Street,” “The Muppet Show,” “Fraggle Rock,” “The Dark Crystal,” “Labyrinth” . . . the list goes on.
I had the rare pleasure of speaking briefly to his daughter Heather Henson this past weekend at the 35th anniversary of the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. I tried to tell her, in my rambling incoherent way, how much the Muppets have always meant to me. But how do you convey that in a few moments of interaction? The chills you get when Kermit starts singing “The Rainbow Connection?” The raucous laughter when the Swedish Chef makes chocolate “moose?” Animal’s “Beat drums! Beat drums!?” And please don’t get me started on Kermit and Miss Piggy getting married in “The Muppets Take Manhattan.” Because they shared a love so big, the minister announced them frog and pig.
For those who are fortunate enough to live in or near Atlanta and can visit the Puppetry Arts Center, the current Henson exhibit features Big Bird, resplendent in his yellow feathers and towering above us all; the feisty Sir Didymus and others from“Labyrinth;” and Doozers and Fraggles from “Fraggle Rock.” Last but certainly not least is the beloved blue Cookie Monster, so wonderfully voiced by Frank Oz for many years.
In honor of the anniversary of its opening, the Center screened “The Muppet Movie,” and Heather Henson hosted the event. Clad in a brightly colored dress with tulle underneath and sparkly blue shoes, she encouraged the audience to participate in the film by shouting out the names of cameos (Bob Hope, Dom Deluise, etc.) singing along, and we all received a prop bag with a variety of noisemakers, bubbles, and even a tiara. Included in the bags were fans with butterflies to wave as Kermit sang “The Rainbow Connection,” and I was reminded of the crafted butterflies held by mourners at Jim Henson’s memorial service in New York. But this was a happy occasion, to celebrate the world of puppetry, and Jim and his wife and daughter Heather were at the Center when it first opened its doors in 1978.
As I sit here in my room, I see a Cookie Monster on my bookcase, an Animal Pez dispenser and Swedish Chef ornament on my shelves, and Cotterpin Doozer in the window. And I was fortunate enough to meet Karen Prell (Red Fraggle) and Kathryn Mullen (Mokey Fraggle) at the most recent Dragon Con and get their autographs. My love for all things Henson does not ebb.
And though the world of the Muppets has evolved since Jim’s passing, the legacy lives on. These zany characters still dance and sing and warm our hearts, and their stories are not finished. Muppets 3*D is still an attraction at the Disney theme parks, and we have a new Muppet movie to look forward to.
But before theme park attractions and Hollywood releases, there was just a man. A man who was more than just the voice of a frog. He was also the heart, and he simply wanted to bring joy to others through puppets.
And boy, did he.
(front page photo from Jim Henson: The Biography)