Producer/director Brian Henson recently posed with the puppets from Henson Alternative’s “Puppet Up! Uncensored” comedy puppet show. This live improv show features Jim Henson Company puppets engaging in activities that would never be seen on the family-friendly Muppets show. Henson Alternative is known for creating content exclusively for adults, such as the puppets in “The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell” and the R-rated film “The Happytime Murders.” While this may seem contradictory to the wholesome Muppets brand, it’s important to remember that Jim Henson’s first show, “Sam and Friends,” was actually targeted towards adults.
The “Puppet Up! Uncensored” show takes place at the Jim Henson Company lot in Hollywood. Brian Henson, the son of Jim Henson and the chairman of the company, introduced the show and explained its unique nature. The show is largely improvised, with different cast members and suggestions leading to a completely different performance each time. While some audience members may be familiar with the show, many are not, and Henson emphasized that it’s difficult to fully describe the experience until you see it for yourself.
Having seen the show before during Knott’s Scary Farm, the author remembers initially feeling a bit perplexed by the puppets’ use of explicit language. However, during this recent experience, the puppets and their skilled puppeteers stole the show. Co-founder and director Patrick Bristow interacted with the audience and created songs and sketches on the spot based on their suggestions. The puppets themselves were controlled by talented performers, with screens showing a puppet-only version and the stage revealing the intricacies of their manipulation.
“Puppet Up! Uncensored” delivers a unique blend of risqué humor and improvised comedy, all acted out by puppets. Once you let go of any preconceived notions about puppets being too innocent for crude jokes, you’ll find yourself laughing along with the show. Audience participation is encouraged, with one memorable moment involving a couple sharing their first date story and the puppets reenacting the embarrassing parts. At the end of the night, the puppeteers had the last laugh, playfully reminding the audience that their twisted and perverted humor came from the audience themselves.
If you’re interested in attending future performances of “Puppet Up! Uncensored,” be sure to sign up for their newsletter as tickets sell out quickly when they are announced.