Kermit the Frog inside the Center for Puppetry Arts

I spent Tuesday afternoon with a crew from Georgia Public Television shooting a video story inside the Center for The Puppetry Arts. Our focus primarily on the Atlanta tie between the center and the immortal Jim Henson (Muppets) and his family. 

Like many parents, when my son was small, we often attended the terrific puppetry productions to stir the mind and spark the imagination of our toddler. But as he grew, we lost our connection to the center.

And that's too bad, as the center is an extraordinary anchor in the Atlanta arts community.  Since its debut in 1978 (Jim Henson cutting the ribbon), the growth of this nonprofit mirrors the metro it serves. 

In the weeks ahead, we will share a video story highlighting the Henson displays and his remarkable impact on the world and the Center for Puppetry Arts. The genius of Jim Henson lives in Midtown Atlanta. 

Big Bird at the Center for Puppetry Arts

While conducting interviews and harvesting content inside, I spied a little sock puppet under glass that is such part of American culture. 

The daughter of the late ventriloquist, author, show business icon, Shari Lewis has shared one of the original Lamb Chop with the center.

Lamp Chop Puppet at the Center for Puppetry Arts

Ms. Lewis with her little puppet was a juggernaut, beginning on Howdy Doody, Captain Kangaroo, Merv Griffin, Ed Sullivan, variety shows (remember those?), Sesame Street, the Jerry Lewis Telethon, Love American Style, Man From Uncle, etc.

The Lamb Chop doll has experienced a second act with dog lovers, the puppet has become a smash hit with millions of pets. 

Lamb Chop toy cuddled up with Rottweiler

Credit: Multipet

Shari Lewis was a brilliant woman: She cowrote one of the original Star Trek episodes, penned books, videos, conducted symphonies, lectured, and had a series on PBS.

Shari Lewis with her puppet creation, Lamb Chop

Credit: Shari Lewis Archive

Within the past nine months, a well-received documentary on Shari Lewis has been released. It is a celebration of a remarkable woman and her talents. 

Her act was kind, considerate, loaded with self-esteem lessons and “vaudevillian" in derivation. 

Lamb Chop distracted me for a while; I was suddenly sitting in my childhood home with my sister, sitting on the green shag carpet, watching our Zenith television with my mother’s bellicose voice in the background. 

Shari Lewis led quite a life.

If you have children, bring them over to Spring Street and let them wander through the museum displays inside and catch a production. 

Scene from the Jim Henson Exhibit at the Center for Puppetry Arts