It almost seemed like a Henson Associates reunion yesterday at NYC’s Museum of Television & Radio. As members of Jim Henson’s family as well as longtime HA employees gathered in the Mark Goodson Theater to dedicate that souvenir sheet of Muppet stamps that the U.S. Postal System recently issued.
The festivities kicked off with some brief remarks by Ron Simon, the MT&R’s curator. He was then followed by Stephanie D’Abruzzo, who sang a lovely acappela version of the National Anthem. Stephanie then took a moment to express her own appreciation for the legacy of Jim Henson, saying that she felt that she owed her entire career to the late filmmaker/puppeteer.
Photo by Jeff Lange
After that, manager of NY Post Office Operations John Hargett took the stage. He was then joined by Jim’s wife, Jane Henson as well as two of the Henson daughters, Cheryl & Heather, for the official unveiling.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Afterwards, Jane and her daughters moved to the podium. Where Mrs. Henson thanked the crowd for coming into the city that morning to take part in the dedication ceremony. Jane said that she was particularly pleased to see so many familiar faces in the audience. People who worked directly with Jim over the past 50 years to help bring the Muppets to life.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Toward that end, Mrs. Henson asked all former & current members of the Muppeteering family to stand up and be recognized. The audience applauded long & hard as people like John Lovelady, Bonnie Erikson, Kevin Clash, Craig Shemin and Ms. Abruzzo briefly stood and acknowledged the applause.
From there, the U.S. Postal Service then presented Jane, Cheryl, Heather and Stephanie with framed sets of the stamps to help commemorate the occasion.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Then it was out to the lobby. Where those who attended the ceremony could then purchase souvenir cachets, postcards, card & envelope sets as well as souvenir sheets of stamps …
Photo by Jeff Lange
… which the Henson family members would then graciously sign.
Photo by Jeff Lange
If you want to know my own personal favorite memories of this trip into the city were, I have two:
- After the souvenir sheet of Muppet stamps was officially unveiled, a reporter in the audience shouted “Who’s your favorite character, Mrs. Henson?” Without even thinking, Jane pointed straight at the photo of Jim.
- After the dedication ceremony had officially concluded, the Museum of Television & Radio began showing that Great Performances documentary on Jim’s life, “The World of Jim Henson.” Given that I never pass up the opportunity to see the Muppets back on the big screen, I quickly sat down in the Goodson theater to watch the show.
Midway through the program, I began to hear a woman’s voice in the half-empty theater. Turning around to see who was talking, I spied Jane Henson sitting there in the dark. Clearly enjoying the documentary as she chatted with a friend about what was going on up on the screen.
I’ve often enjoy the audio commentary track on my DVDs. But never before have I experienced the live-action equivalent. Where Mrs. Henson would talk about what a character Sir Lew Grade was and/or identified the cameos in “The Muppets Take Manhattan” (EX: “That’s John Landis!”).
I know, I know. Some people find it annoying when other people talk in movie theaters. But this … this was different. Listening to Jane chatter away as “The World of Jim Henson” unspooled, you realized just how much she had enjoyed being a part of all this. Helping to create all this memorable motion pictures & TV shows, this crazy collection of characters.
Jim’s daughters would also wander in and out of the theater as the documentary was screened. And — to be honest — I felt kind of uncomfortable when I spotted Cheryl Henson standing in the auditorium’s doorway, looking up at the screen as footage of her father’s memorial service was being shown. It almost felt like I was intruding on this very personal moment.
But — beyond that — it was a perfectly marvelous morning in Manhattan. And I want to thank the folks at the Jim Henson Legacy for inviting JHM to come down to the city and cover the dedication ceremony.