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Muppets’ ‘Strange Reunion’ At Hollywood Bowl
The Muppets aren’t letting any off-stage controversies detract from their first full-length live stage performance mixing music and favorite skits that will play out on the stage of the
Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and The Muppets via AP – The Muppets
Kermit The Frog and Miss Piggy strike a pose at the Hollywood Bowl.
In fact, it’s business as usual for Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, who described the show – all while trading insults and dodging questions about their relationship status and recent changes for the little green frog – during an interview last week.
Miss Piggy made clear that despite the pressure of the two-hour stage show, “The Muppets Take the Bowl ,” her diva tendencies remain intact.
As Kermit described the show, which organizers are promising will capture the zaniness of The Muppets’ films and television escapades, he said he didn’t actually know what Piggy had planned. “What exactly are you doing? You haven’t told any of us,” Kermit said.
“This is a live performance, so I want it to be spontaneous and alive with energy, so I’m just going to wing it,” Piggy replied.
“You can’t wing it. There are 15,000 people out there. You’re going to have to rehearse or something,” Kermit said.
Piggy’s response: “No, nah.”
The show will feature the Muppets playing music along with conductor Thomas Wilkins and the Bowl’s Orchestra. Many Muppet flourishes are planned, including Animal on drums and several skits.
“Any time the Muppets get together, it’s a strange reunion,” Piggy said. “It’s a reunion of strange things.”
“That is true, but we are not going to hold anything back in this show,” Kermit said. “I mean, we’re going to keep the strange things in. In fact, we tried holding some things back from the show but they kept breaking out of their cages. So it’s going to be a wild one.”
There will be literal fireworks, as well. Keeping the show running will be host
As for Piggy and Kermit, the on-again, off-again pair, whose breakup was the subject of a 2015 ABC mockumentary series, made clear their relationship is purely professional now. “We have moved past that,” Kermit said.
They also weren’t eager to discuss another more recent controversy, the firing of longtime Kermit puppeteer Steve Whitmire.
Asked whether he felt different now that new puppeteer Matt Vogel has taken over, Kermit responded, “I actually have no idea what you’re talking about. I mean, I’m right here. I’ve got green, collar. Hey, ho – Yep that’s me.”
Miss Piggy agreed. “Same old green-looking thing if you ask me. Same bulgy eyeballs. Same stupid thing around his neck”
The Muppets begin their three-night run at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday night.