Daniel Reichard to Headline Emmet Otter Holiday Musical at Goodspeed

Daniel Reichard, who created the role of Bob Gaudio in the hit musical Jersey Boys, will play the title role in Goodspeed Musicals’ world premiere adaptation of Jim Henson’s holiday classic Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas. The show, which will be directed, choreographed and co-written by Christopher Gattelli, will run from December 7 through January 4, 2009, at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT. Opening night will be December 17.

Based on the children's book by Russell and Lillian Hoban and the all-puppet HBO special produced and directed by Jim Henson, Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas features a book by Gattelli and Timothy A. McDonald and music and lyrics by Academy Award-winning songwriter Paul Williams, who composed the music for Goodspeed’s production of Happy Days, now on national tour. The show is being produced in association with the Jim Henson Company and will include both human and puppet characters.

Joining Reichard will be Cass Morgan Mary Poppins, Ring of Fire, Pump Boys and Dinettes as Ma Otter, Alan Campbell Contact, Sunset Boulevard as Pa Otter and Kate Wetherhead Legally Blonde as Jane. The ensemble includes Stephen Bienskie as Stan Weasel, Justin Bohon as Harvey, Kevin Covert as Mayor Fox, Leo Daignault as Chuck, Madeline Doherty as Mrs. Mink, Colin Hanlon as Fred Lizard, Jeff Hiller as Charlie, Lisa Howard as Mrs. Fox, Sheri Sanders as Heddy and Robb Sapp as Wendell. Tyler Bunch is the show’s puppet captain; Anney McKilligan, James Silson and David Stephens will be puppeteers.

As Christmas approaches the world of Frogtown Hollow, Emmet Otter and his Ma can only dream of buying each other gifts. So when a Christmas Eve talent contest is announced, both secretly enter hoping to win the prize money. In a heartwarming twist on “The Gift of the Magi,” Emmet and Ma risk all they have and end up with the greatest grand prize of all.

The creative team for Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas will include Anna Louizos sets, Gregg Barnes costumes and Brian MacDevitt lighting, with musical direction by Larry Pressgrove.