The Jim Henson Exhibition
"It's time to play the music, It's time to light the lights, It's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight."
Many of us enjoyed hearing these lyrics time and time again as the Muppet Show began. I recall seeing the show via re-runs on PBS and thanks to the internet, just Google it and you can find just about any episode.
Last Friday, the Skirball Center in Los Angeles kicked off an exhibit with a nighttime event honoring the late, great, Jim Henson.
It was only $5.00 and included free parking! Forget Los Angeles, I think most people would be hard-pressed to find that price for an event just about anywhere. So even before we arrived at the Skirball Center, we already felt like we won because of the price. Luckily for us, that was only the beginning.
As we walked up from the parking garage, located directly across from the entrance there was lively music playing from various artists via a speaker system; we didn't notice a DJ so I think it was just a pre-made mix but it was good. There were a couple food trucks out front along with a tent that was cooking pizzas. There were standing tables available along with additional seating inside. There were popsicle's and alcoholic beverages inside for purchase and water stations located throughout offering free water.
We grabbed some food then headed inside to get in line for the exhibit. We waited for approximately 20 minutes, as they were limited the total number of people in the exhibit area; therefore if 5 people exit, they let 5 people in etc. As we found out later, 20 minutes was not bad at all. Later patrons waited over an hour to get inside so we arrived at a good time...which we entered the exhibit around 7:00PM.
They begin the exhibit in just the right way to get you excited and also instantly prepare you for what's to come. The very first thing you see is the ever lovable, Kermit the Frog. (see photos below).
It was amazing! I've seen Rembrandt's work, Da Vinci's work, and many other cool exhibits before, but since this one resonated with our childhood, the nostalgia factor was incredibly strong. Seeing Kermit sitting there instantly transported us both to our childhood and the memories rushed in. It was amazing because it was really not a conscious thing, it just happened and it all happened in a flash. It was the equivalent of meeting a real celebrity even though it was just a puppet. He seemed so real in terms of having a personality, and you felt as though at any moment, he was going to say something. Like I said, this was a great way to begin the exhibit, because of all of the memories that instantly rushed in, we were now locked in and ready for everything else that came. Our brains were tuned in and for all of the displays ahead, we could name names and recognize items before reading the placard.
Around every corner was yet another childhood friend or artifact. It just seemed to get better as you walked through each room. They had one area where you could don a muppet and be a puppeteer to a pre-recorded track. The had a setup of the Muppet's Show opening wall, where all the character's would walk out to while they sang that famous opening number.
Jim Henson, as many know, was a very creative man and always pushing the limits on what was achievable. So his body of work goes beyond the Muppets and Sesame Street. He did some consulting work for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back with Jedi Master Yoda and later with the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But many also know his work on Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, both cult classics. Fortunately the exhibit featured characters and items from both Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal which was nice to see, since by comparison often get far less attention than The Muppets or Sesame Street.
Overall this exhibit was one of our favorites. Mainly for the nostalgia factor, but also, it was well organized, you received a lot of value for the low price of $5.00 and they offered a variety in the exhibit between hands-on activities, photo opportunities and just learning a bunch of great stuff about a man, most only know by association to his body of work.
For anyone able to visit, this exhibit runs from June 1 - September 2, 2018. Perfect timing for any summer trips to Southern California and for those living in the area. There are a couple other special events that accompany this exhibit. On Friday June 29, they're screening The Muppet Movie and on Friday, July 13, they're screening Labyrinth. For more information, including admission and exhibition hours, please visit: www.skirball.org
