The Muppets on Broadway? Alex Timbers Directs ‘Test’ Presentation for Disney Theatrical

After putting his unique spin on icons like President Andrew Jackson, Peter Pan, Imelda Marcos and Rocky Balboa, Tony-nominated director Alex Timbers is turning his attention to The Muppets. Timbers directed an exploratory presentation of a live show starring the Muppets for Disney Theatrical, according to Variety.

Disney held a private but elaborate presentation, which included sets, musical numbers and more than 85 Muppets, on May 31 at the New Amsterdam Theatre. The goal of the performance was reportedly to see if the Muppets could realistically sustain their own Broadway show and balance tech and puppetry demands with audience sightlines.

“It was a test of concept,” Disney Theatrical President Thomas Schumacher told Variety. “I’m very intrigued.”

Before bringing the musical Rocky to Broadway in 2014, Timbers’ next project is a musical adaptation of Love Labour's Lost for the Public Theater's current Shakespeare in the Park season. Timbers earned Tony nominations for co-directing Peter and the Starcatcher and writing the book of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, which he also directed. His other directing credits include Here Lies Love, The Pee-wee Herman Show, Gutenberg! The Musical, Boozy and A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Christmas Pageant. The Muppets mark Timbers third collaboration with Disney. In addition to the Peter Pan prequel Peter and the Starcatcher, Timbers has been tapped to direct an updated movie musical of an unnamed Shakespeare classic.

In addition to the beloved TV series The Muppet Show, the lovable troupe of puppets have starred in the films The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island, Muppets from Space and The Muppets.

The New Amsterdam Theatre will play host to Disney’s latest Broadway musical, Aladdin, beginning in 2014.