Puppet show with a twist of nature

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Heather Henson, the daughter of late Muppets creator Jim Henson, will bring Florida’s ecosystem to life tonight.

Using translucent puppets, the former actress will create a world of migrating cranes, rolling pink clouds and wildly fluctuating weather that coincides with Florida’s urban sprawl. The unique show, entitled "Panther & Crane," will take place at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington’s Heckscher Park at 8 p.m.

"It’s a really interesting production," explained Dianne Matus, public relations and development assistant for the Huntington Arts Council, which is producing the event. "It’s also her first time performing here. She’ll have a lot friends and family in attendance."

Henson’s performance – which uses colored light, projections and mythic imagery – is part of two festivals: the Huntington Summer Arts Festival and "Puppets On the Sound." The latter, Matus says, is an international puppet festival that includes over 20 events presented by the Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington Arts Council and The Puppet Company.

"They’re great for both kids and adults," added Matus, noting the show is free.

Henson is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and has also attended the California Institute of the Arts. She also serves on both the Jim Henson Company and the Jim Henson Legacy Board of Directors. Her on-screen appearances include "The Muppets Take Manhattan," "Spies Like Us" and "Little Shop of Horrors" in the mid 1980s.

The "Puppets On the Sound" festival ends tomorrow with a performance by Happy Puppetry Company of Taiwan at Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.