The Rainbow Connection (Man, I loved that song as young child) – the story of Richard Hunt, Gay Muppeteer – lead by Jessica Max Stein, will be held Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 2pm at the Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, 12 Vassar Street, Poughkeepsie, NY.
Richard Hunt joined the Muppets at age 19 and went on to be a central performer on the international blockbusters Sesame Street, The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock, creating such beloved characters as Scooter, Janice, Beaker and Statler (in the Muppet balcony), even briefly performing Miss Piggy in her early drag queen days. Hunt also performed Forgetful Jones, Placido Flamingo, Don Music, Gladys the Cow, Sully, an early Elmo.
Hunt died of AIDS-related complications in 1992, at only 40 years old. Episode 3136 of Sesame Street and the movie The Muppet Christmas Carol were dedicated to his memory.
Author Jessica Max Stein is working on a biography of Hunt, based on her best-selling zine The Rainbow Connection: Richard Hunt, Gay Muppeteer. Her 2-hour presentation includes over an hour of Muppet clips interspersed with details of Hunt’s fascinating story as a Muppeteer who happened to be a gay man. She teaches English at the City University of New York, and lives in Brooklyn.
Tickets are just $5 per person, and can be purchased at the door – although reservations are strongly suggested as seating is limited. To reserve your seats please call 917 502 4098 or e-mail INFO@UPINARMS.BIZ. To learn more about the author, please visit her website.
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