Friday, May 15, 2015

Muppet Party at T.R.A.C.S

T.R.A.C.S at Timothy Plaza on River Island

Maybe some of you actually remember the day, 25 years ago, when you heard on the news of Jim Henson’s passing. It felt like Kermit, had suddenly died as well and all the muppet characters ceasing to exist. The logic is that they were only characters operated by people, and that all the puppets he instilled life into with his hands and his voice, would be replaced by other performers, and eventually they were, but it was never quite the same.
Statue of Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog,  University of Maryland

He is one of the most widely known puppeteers in history. He was the leading force behind the long running television series Sesame Street and The Muppet Show and films such as The Muppet Movie (1979) and creator of advanced puppets for projects like Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and Return of the Jedi.

Henson's sudden death on May 16, 1990, of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (a bacterial infection), resulted in an outpouring of public and professional affection. There have since been numerous tributes and dedications in his memory. T.R.A.C.S will have a tribute in his memory this Saturday, the day that we lost this great Puppeteer, Filmmaker, Screenwriter and Inventor.

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