Kermit, Gonzo, and Poppa on Pebble Mill
Starlight Express is a 1984 British musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. The musical tells the story of a young but obsolete steam engine, Rusty, who races in a championship against modern engines in the hope of impressing a first-class carriage, Pearl. Famously, the actors perform the entire show on rollerskates. The show holds the record as the ninth-longest-running theatrical production in West End history, having been performed 7,409 times between 1984 and 2002. It performed on Broadway from 1987-1989. Starlight Express is also the most successful musical in Germany, where it has been performed in a purpose-built theatre since 1988.
Muppet Mentions[]
- In a line from the 1987 revised Broadway version of the song "Wide Smile," Caboose claims that Donald Duck has eaten Kermit. (YouTube)
Notes[]
- During an appearance on Pebble Mill, Kermit and Gonzo help host Alan Titchmarsh present a performance from the West End production of the musical. During the credits, a roller skater (the character "Poppa") tries to kiss Gonzo on the nose.
Connections[]
- Richard Bodkin played Rocky 3 in the original London cast and doubled as Rusty in the Downhill Final
- Danny John-Jules played Rocky 1 in the original London cast
- Roger Kachel played Krupp in the Broadway company
- Jane Krakowski played Dinah throughout the Broadway run
- Leesa Osborn played Volta in the original German cast and would perform in the US tour and German productions until 2005
- Michael Sundin played Flat Top in the 1987 Japan and Australia tour
- Tracey Ullman played Pearl in the first workshop
- David Yazbek wrote material for the 2003 US tour