Maryland
honors Jim Henson for his 70th birthday
Jane
Henson and Bob Payne will host a "Sam and Friends" panel
and show a new compilation of early Muppet material
Courtesy
of The Washington Post
September
21, 2006
Tomorrow,
the University of Maryland will pay tribute to beloved alum Jim Henson,
who would have turned 70 on Sunday. In a nod to his "Creativity
and Other Inspirational Stuff," the university will unveil an
exhibition and new film collection, stage a theater performance --
and host a panel with Jane Henson, the puppeteer's widow.
The
highlights: "Jim Henson: Performing Artist," a long-term
exhibit looking at Henson's career through photography, essays,
videos and displays of his Muppets (including Scred, who was used
in a regular skit in the very first season of "Saturday Night
Live"), opens at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center's
Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library. While at the library (or
at any other library on campus, for that matter), you can also check
out the brand new Jim Henson Film and Television Collection. Free.
9 a.m. Through June 2007.
At
3 p.m. in the arts center's Gildenhorn Recital Hall, Jane Henson's
the guest speaker in the free panel discussion "Jane and Friends:
The College Park Legacy." Henson, who met her husband on the
U-Md. campus, will offer the first screening of the new video "The
Story of Sam and Friends" and talk about Jim Henson's local
roots and legacy. Other panelists include Edward Longley, who taught
the U-Md. puppetry class where the couple met, and Bobby Payne,
who helped build and performed in "The Dark Crystal."
Free.
Finally,
puppeteers Blair Thomas & Company (Thomas has taught at the
distinguished School of the Art Institute of Chicago) perform "The
Ox-Herder's Tale," a drama about seeking spirituality in a
consumer culture, with a stilt-walker, clowns and masked puppeteers.
Afterward, stick around for a talk with the artists. $30; students
$7. 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow. Kay Theatre, Clarice Smith Performing
Arts Center. University Boulevard and Stadium Drive, University
of Maryland, College Park. 301-405-2787 or www.claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.
MORE
HENSON NEWS
• Jerry
Nelson tribute at The Moving Image Museum October 27
• Jim
Henson's Pajanimals debuts on NBC Kids Saturday July 7
• The
New York Pops play The Muppets at Carnegie Hall April 14
• Henson
announces "Sid the Science Kid: The Movie" in 3-D
• The Jim Henson Company Puppets to perform at the 2011 Grammys
• "Pioneers of Television" special
to honor Jim Henson
• Classic "Henson's Place" special
arrives on DVD August 3
• Frank
Oz unveils tribute to the "Henson Pipes" at NBC Studios
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