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Manhattan Melodies Playbill

Manhattan Melodies is a fictional musical featured in The Muppets Take Manhattan. The play's story is about life in the big city - but not cops, shootings or car chases; it's more like songs and dances. The show centers on the marriage of the two main characters (played by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy). Manhattan Melodies was written by Kermit the Frog and featured many of his Muppet friends.

Show History[]

MTM-SW-ManhattanMelodies
MTM-ManhattanMelodies-InsideTheater

The show was originally created as a one-night-only show for Danhurst College's senior variety show. The show was a success, gaining uproarious applause. It wasn't until an audience member shouted out "Hey Kermit, next time we'll see you on Broadway!" that the idea arose (initiated by Scooter) of continuing the show and taking it to a bigger arena. It took some convincing to get star and writer Kermit onboard with the idea – his initial reaction was that "this show isn't good enough for Broadway and anyway the script needs a lot of work. I still think there's something missing."

The troupe traveled to New York City where they pitched the show to many of Broadway's biggest names, including Martin Price, Bernard Crawford, Irving Krauss, the Associated Theatrical Producers Inc., Katherine Edmundski, and Leonard Winesop. However, production hit a snag as Kermit struggled with funding and finding a producer. But after weeks of searching, Broadway came calling.

Ronnie Crawford, son of producer Bernard Crawford, was the first to show interest in producing Manhattan Melodies on Broadway. Bernard Crawford had promised his son a chance to produce one show, and Ronnie chose Kermit's quirky concept. Crawford agreed to produce the musical at the famous Biltmore Theatre.

The production team got a scare just weeks before the opening when Kermit, the writer, creator and star, went missing. Luckily, he was found and ready to go on just seconds before the curtain went up on opening night. He also discovered what the show was missing – more frogs, and dogs, and bears, and chickens and whatevers! An impromptu change was made and the casts' newfound friends were immediately thrust into the show. Needless to say, the show was a big success.

Songs[]

ManhattanMelodies1

Statler and Waldorf can be seen in their usual spot.

Credits[]

Cast[]

ManhattanMelodies2
Kermit the Frog
Fozzie Bear
Miss Piggy
Scooter
Gonzo
Rowlf the Dog
Camilla
and Dr. Cyril Jenkins as The Minister


Also featuring:
Animal, the Babies, Baskerville the Hound, Beaker, Bears, Beauregard, Bert, Beth Bear, Biff, Big Bird, Bill, Bobby Benson, Bridal Gowns, Bubba, Bunsen Honeydew, Buster the Horse, Clementine, Clyde, Cookie Monster, Count von Count, Crazy Harry, Deena, Dinger, Dr. Teeth, Droop, Elmo, Ernie, Fazoobs, Flower-Eating Monster, Floyd Pepper, Foo-Foo, Forgetful Jones, Gaffer,George the Janitor, Geri and the Atrics, Gil, Gramps, Grover, Grundgetta, Guy Smiley, Harvey, Herry Monster, Hilda, Honkers, Irvine, Janice, Slim Wilson, Jill, J.P. Grosse, Julius Strangepork, Lew Zealand, Link Hogthrob, Lips, Lou, Louis Kazagger, Lubbock Lou, Luncheon Counter Monster, Marvin Suggs, Masterson Rat, Maurice Monster, Mildred, Mona Monster, Mrs. Appleby, Newsman, Oscar the Grouch, Pearl, Penguins, Pigs, Pops, Quongo, Rizzo the Rat, Robin the Frog, Sam the EagleSherlock Hemlock, Simon Soundman, Snowths, Sully, Swedish Chef, Tatooey Rat, Telly Monster, Tuxedos, Two-Headed Monster, Uncle Deadly, Uncle Traveling Matt, Wedding Cakes, The White Rabbit, Yolanda Rat, Zeke, and Zoot

Notes[]

Manhattanmelodies
  • The show features a unique set for the closing number. The distinctive set, which is of a church, has four full walls surrounding the sanctuary. This set design completely encloses the actors from the paying audience's view.
  • The advertisements for the show seen on a taxi cab says the theater where the show is located at Broadway on 45th Street. The Biltmore Theatre, where the show is actually seen playing, is located on 47th Street.

Reviews[]

  • "I love it! It is so different!"
-Ronnie Crawford
  • "A boffo-socko script for a Broadway slot called Manhattan Mellodies. It's totally today, yet tremendously timeless!"
-"Kermit's Agent"
  • "Unknowns, songs, dances, shootings... wait, no shootings! I smell something. I smell a hit!"
- Martin Price

See also[]

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