Riverside Theatre to Present EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS in December

Riverside Theatre for Kids will present Jim Henson's holiday classic, Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, in a live stage show on December 6-8, 2024. 

Written by Russell Hoban and illustrated by Lillian Hoban in 1969, the story was first published by Parents' Magazine Press in 1971 and was adapted into a beloved television special by Jim Henson using ingenious puppets and music by Paul Williams.

The story tells of Emmet Otter and his Ma, who each want to buy a wonderful gift for the other for Christmas. Though poor, they hear of a talent contest in the nearby town, and separately decide to enter to buy nice presents for each other—a nice guitar for Emmet, or a piano for Ma. However, in a twist on The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, they take interesting steps to win the talent contest and its cash prize. 

In 1977, Muppet creator Jim Henson produced a one-hour television adaptation of the story filmed in Toronto. The special premiered on Canadian television in 1977 and in the U.S. the following year. The special later aired on ABC and Nickelodeon in the 1990s. The special utilized a number of different puppetry methods including hand puppets. However, other characters were represented by marionettes and utilized Japanese Bunraku puppet theatre techniques. This is also one of the first Muppet productions to use radio control puppet effects. 

“We are incredibly excited for this,” says Kevin Quillinan, Director of the production and Director of Theatre Education at Riverside. “We did this production in 2018, but updates have been made since then and we thrilled to be one of a handful of theaters around the country who have been given the opportunity to perform this work since its premiere in 2008 at the Goodspeed Opera House. The musical includes all the silly characters and heartwarming songs from the TV special, along with fantastic new songs Mr. Williams added to this adaptation.” 

The stage version was developed by the Jim Henson Company and Goodspeed Musicals. With Paul Williams returning to write four new songs for the show, it played the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut from December 7, 2008 through January 4, 2009. The show returned to Goodspeed for the 2009-2010 season and held a reunion concert in 2015. 

Directed by Mr. Quillinan, the cast for Riverside's production includes: Yahir Ramirez (Emmet Otter), Casey Watkins (Mrs. Alice Otter), Mollee Moore (Wendell Porcupine), Mars Capra (Mrs. Gretchen Fox), Marissa Beiter (Mayor Harrison Fox), Marley Keppel (Yancy Woodchuck), Charlie Clark (Madame Squirrel), Finleigh Capra (Jiffy Squirrel), Reed Ullian (Nutella Squirrel), Madelynne Hirst (Skippy Squirrel), Ava Monroe (Tiny Squirrel), Carlee Miranda (Doc Bullfrog), Ivy Cunningham (Will Possum), Hudson Hirst (Pa Otter), Bronwyn Canipe (John Deer), Elizabeth Kelly (Mrs. Mink), Lydia Fusselman (George Rabbit), Keira Taylor (Melissa Rabbit), Ella Wolf (Chuck Stoat), 

Jenna Wickre (Howard Snake), Ella Whitelock (Stan Weasel), Evie Fusselman (Catfish), Sebastian Holbrook (Fred Lizard), Jasmine Tuller (Hetty Muskrat), Lilia Hayes (Charlie Muskrat), Emma Canipe (Harvey Beaver), Sophie Laufersweiler (Penelope Possum), Audrey Ortega-Cowan (Brandy Mouse), Ekaterina Strelkov (Nelson Pig), Melody Van Os (Bano Beaver), Noah Ortega-Cowan (Thomas Ferret), Cameron Croumie (Stinky Skunk), Alyssa Sales (Harriet Raccoon) and Josie Frazier (Jennifer Owl).  

Along with Director Quillinan, the creative team includes: Deborah Quillinan (Music Director), Emily Luongo (Scenic & Props Design), Kelby King (Costume Design), Genny Wynn (Lighting Design), Rhiannon Blanchette (Sound Design), Peyton Dickens (Stage Manager), Elle Palm (Student Director) and Riley Blackwell (Student Coordinator). 

Performances are:

December 6 @ 7pm

December 7 @ 2pm & 7pm 

December 8 @ 2pm 

Tickets are $20 and can purchased by calling the Riverside Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com. 

Riverside Theatre is located at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963. Riverside Theatre programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Riverside Theatre is a member of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, the Indian River Chamber of Commerce, and the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce. 

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