Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...The felt and furry critters in “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas,” the lovely new family show at the historic and newly renovated Studebaker Theater, do not have the fame of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy (although there is an amphibian, Doc Bullfrog, narrating the tale of this family of otters). But they’re able nonetheless to tap into the very same reservoir of intergenerational affection we all feel for Henson’s seemingly sentient and endlessly interactive creations."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Call it a kids show if you must. But know this: Even if you are generations beyond your single-digit years, “Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” will fill you with giddy joy and have you snort-laughing with velocity enough to require a tissue. If you find no joy in the spectacle of a squirrel juggling act that ends with the lead squirrel doing a full-on deathdrop while their furry charges orbit above, you are having a bad day indeed."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...If you want a charming and heartwarming family show for the holidays, look no further than Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, now bringing all the sweet quiet magic of the Jim Henson 1977 television special to the stage."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...New this year on the Holiday circuit is a live musical version of one of my favorite holiday tv specials, chock full of 20th century style Muppets, proving the sweet optimism and artistry of Jim Henson lives on in Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas. Watching Emmet on my historic VCR every year has been a personal tradition; I am literally thrilled that this has made it to the stage, possibly becoming that new holiday tradition that you need now for your young and young at heart family and friends."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...Despite the popularity of Christmas, Thanksgiving should be noticed, as it holds its significance and traditions of expressing gratitude for the cherished people in our lives. But one could say that Jim Henson's EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS is all about being thankful."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...What began as a television Christmas Special, Jim Henson's "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas" is now LIVE, on stage at The Studebaker Theatre. This is a 75 minute musical that will allow you to forget about the craziness in the world and just laugh and applaud. With a book by Timothy Allen McDonald & Christopher Gattelli , based on the original illustrated book by Russell Hoban and Lillian Hoban and wonderful music by Academy-Award winner, Paul Williams ( who was in the audience at tonight's opener) this is a marvelous Christmas tale."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...But it’s certain that this production wouldn’t be what it is without the magical and creative handiwork provided by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. In addition to the fantastic cast, the beautiful songs and the gorgeous sets and costumes, the professional puppetry provides so much of the heart and humor in this beautiful, live holiday musical. It’s a show that will charm every theatergoer in Chicago, young and old."
Third Coast Review - Highly Recommended
"...Much of the theater on offer this month involves a nutcracker or Christmas ghosts. And we have you covered on those performances. But if you are looking for something different in family entertainment, I suggest you check out the simply adorable show at the Studebaker Theatre-Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...Of course, there are also plenty of themes and lessons that make “Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” a true holiday classic. Ma and Emmet Otter show us how to heal together after experiencing loss. We see bravery and growth in characters learning to trust themselves and each other when facing challenges. We also get to experience a show filled with so much love, which, in and of itself, is enough of a reason to join everyone in Frogtown Hollow and Waterville this season."
MaraTapp.org - Highly Recommended
"...Give yourself and your family a Christmas gift of a lovely 75 minutes of theater magic. Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is one of those holiday shows that deserves to become a classic because of its sweet-hearted humor, heartwarming message, excellent acting and acrobatics by both humans and puppets."
Life and Times - Highly Recommended
"...Children will be thrilled seeing live Muppet puppetry onstage, where it is just as magical as it is on television and in the movies. Bringing the magic to life are puppeteers Jordan Brownlee, Matthew Furtado, Anney Ozar, James Silson, and David Stephens. They are all incredible - often doubling as onstage characters without missing a beat of their puppeteering and voice duties. Adults will be just as enthralled - because it really is cool to let yourself get lost in a world of talking googly-eyed animals that interact seamlessly with humanized animals."
Chicago Culture Authority - Highly Recommended
"...Muppets and Paul Williams songs go together like peanut butter and chocolate, which makes Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas a tasty, tuneful holiday treat perfect for the Fine Arts Building's intimate and beautifully renovated Studebaker Theater."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...From the start of the show I could not help but feel a childhood nostalgia rush back when seeing the puppets on stage that Jim Henson was known for. A blend of humans and puppets, this heartwarming story is filled with humor and cheer. I laughed and smiled as the talented cast took us through the tale rooting for Emmet and Jug-Band and his Ma as they tried to make it the best Christmas. The songs were fabulous and every performer shined. Dare I say I can’t imagine the television version being better? Not to mention that there are some scene stealing puppet squirrels that pop-up in scenes here and there. For those who attend, you will see what I mean and why I thought it was one of the best parts. It felt like time flew by during the show."
