Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol has been re-imagined more times than the Rocky movies, yet each new version still manages to warm hearts while getting us into the spirit of the holidays. In 1992, Brian Henson — son of puppeteers Jane and Jim Henson — offered his own Muppet-filled interpretation of the classic. Kermit the Frog stars as Bob Cratchit opposite Michael Caine's Ebenezer Scrooge while the rest of the Muppets gang takes up supporting roles. (Gonzo sits in as narrator Charles Dickens, former business partners Jacob and Robert Marley are played by grumpy duo Statler and Waldorf, and Miss Piggy performs a feisty Mrs. Crachit.) Tampa Theatre presents The Muppet Christmas Carol this Sunday as part of its Holiday Classics film series. Sun., Nov. 25, 3 p.m., 711 Franklin St., downtown Tampa, $8, 813-274-8981, tampatheatre.org.
This article appears in Nov 21-27, 2007.