Madeline Kahn
This episode may seem pedestrian, but it’s really quite a happy feat, with the great Madeline Kahn jumping in to a sweet and sad backstage plot with Gonzo, some questionable but fun toe-tapping with the Mutations, and a role in a classic Muppet variety show sketch. Plus one of Kermit’s most iconic numbers, some space feminism, and…gun-toting lobsters? We’re on a roll!
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With Our Very Special Guest Star…James Jackson!
James Jackson, Jr. is an Obie Award-winning New York City actor, performance and cabaret artist, most recently recognized for his work in Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize winning off-Broadway musical “A Strange Loop” at Playwrights Horizons.
For over 20 years, this storyteller and his art have made a home of New York City’s cabaret and performance art scene at venues like Joe’s Pub, The Green Room 42, DROM, Duane Park, and 54 Below. A respected talent, who often recalls in his emotional and devastatingly funny stage show, that his artistry is based on the principle "If you're going to be the only one…be THE only one! The onliest."
After years of dance belts, regional theatre, national tours involving a rather demanding team of Brits, and an unfortunate stop in Branson, Missouri, James’ career has lead to gracing the prestigious stages of Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall.
As an arts-educator, James has an ever-growing roster of students he works with in the areas of song-interpretation, audition technique, on-camera work, and material selection. James’ coaching style focuses on the connection between 3 elements: The Body, The Story, and The Truth.
A native of Boston with an B.A. in Music Education from Westfield University, James’ cabaret work, both solo and as part of “The Black-Ups” (with co-creators LaDonna Burns and Elliot Roth), has been seen across the country at The American Repertory Theatre’s Club Oberon in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Los Angeles’ Lyric Theatre. His razor-sharp wit and unique sense of humor have become an artistic force to be reckoned with as well as a voice that people want to hear as he changes the face of the concert stage.
Bouncing Baby GIFs
With Our Very Special Guest Star…Madeline Kahn!
At The Dance
Interview with Songwriter Paul Tracey (The Muppet Mindset)
Miscellaneous Muppeturgy
We didn’t realize when we were recording just how much Ferde Grofé intersected with our interests: Robert Moses, master urban planner, commissioned Grofé to compose the music for the 1964 New York World's Fair. The fair's opening day's big musical performance was Paul Lavalle conducting a 94-piece orchestra in the world premiere of Grofé's "World's Fair Suite". Moses had previously commissioned Grofé to compose the theme for his 1939 New York World's Fair. Mr. Grofé was present, listening from a wheelchair, having suffered a stroke in 1961. His score was in five movements—"Unisphere", "International", "Fun at the Fair", "Pavilions of Industry" and "National".
