Sat January 17, 2026
SF Sketchfest 2026... Brian Henson presents: Puppet Up! Uncensored
SEE EVENT DETAILS
Co-created by award-winning director and producer Brian Henson ("Muppet Christmas Carol", "Muppet Treasure Island"), and the production's director and host Patrick Bristow ("Ellen", "Seinfeld", "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"), Puppet Up! - Uncensored is never the same show twice, effortlessly blending increasingly unhinged feats of improv comedy with the unparalleled skill and originality of Henson puppeteers. Based on suggestions from the audience, the puppet mayhem - starring the unforgettable Miskreant puppets - showcases both the improvised puppet action projected live on screens above the stage, and the puppeteers racing around below in full view of the audience to bring it all to life. Performances also include recreations of classic pieces by Jim and Jane Henson that have not been performed for audiences in decades. Puppet Up! - Uncensored is not recommended for anyone under 16 and anyone under 14 will not be admitted.
Puppet Up! VIP Experience with Brian Henson at 7:30pm
Limited Availability. Add on to any ticket when purchasing. Must have a separate ticket to early or late performance.
Brian Henson brings three of his never-before-screened short films to the big screen! The VIP experience includes an exclusive screening followed by an intimate Q&A discussion with film director and Puppet Up co-creator Brian Henson himself. All VIP Experience ticket holders will receive a Hot Dog Puppet signed by Brian Henson.
ABOUT HENSON ALTERNATIVE
Henson Alternative is The Jim Henson Company's label for content created specifically and exclusively for adult audiences. In 1955, Jim Henson's first television production "Sam & Friends" appeared on late-night television as a lead-in to "The Tonight Show," establishing a standard in the Company's work for irreverent, creative, comedy projects that spoke to adults. Appearances on "The Jimmy Dean Show," "The Ed Sullivan Show," and "Saturday Night Live," as well as numerous short films for clients like IBM and AT&T, proved that Henson puppetry was not limited to children. Today, Henson Alternative continues to produce and develop projects for this audience. Credits include "The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell" (Netflix), "The Happytime Murders" (STX), "No, You Shut Up!" (Fusion), "Neil's Puppet Dreams" (Nerdist), "Tinseltown" (Logo), and "Puppet Up! - Uncensored" (a live puppet improvisational show named one of the top 10 "Best Stage Shows" by Entertainment Weekly).
The Miskreant Puppets are the motley troupe of puppets featured in many Henson Alternative productions like "The Happytime Murders," "Puppet Up! - Uncensored," and "No, You Shut Up!" as well as Coldplay's recent music video "Biutyful."
ABOUT WESTBETH ENTERTAINMENT
For over 40 years WBE has consistently delivered critically acclaimed, financially successful, and groundbreaking productions that have made artists and audiences' dreams come true. Beginning as The Westbeth Theatre Center and morphing into Westbeth Entertainment, developing and introducing artists and talent to North American audiences have been a big part of Westbeth's history. From Billy Connolly to Eddie Izzard to Eric Idle, Sandra Bernhard to John Leguizamo to The Jim Henson Company, and Margaret Cho to Trevor Noah to Noel Fielding, WBE has been the creative catalyst, partner, and producer of some of the most innovative performances and productions on the continent in iconic venues, such as Madison Square Garden, The Hollywood Bowl, Toronto's Massey Hall, The Chicago Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, and many others. Our journey with Ray Davies began in 1996 at the Westbeth Theatre Center with the debut of his one person show "Twentieth Century Man". This show eventually developed into the West End hit, "Sunny Afternoon", which just made its North American debut.
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Puppet Up! VIP Experience with Brian Henson at 7:30pm
Limited Availability. Add on to any ticket when purchasing. Must have a separate ticket to early or late performance.
Brian Henson brings three of his never-before-screened short films to the big screen! The VIP experience includes an exclusive screening followed by an intimate Q&A discussion with film director and Puppet Up co-creator Brian Henson himself. All VIP Experience ticket holders will receive a Hot Dog Puppet signed by Brian Henson.
ABOUT HENSON ALTERNATIVE
Henson Alternative is The Jim Henson Company's label for content created specifically and exclusively for adult audiences. In 1955, Jim Henson's first television production "Sam & Friends" appeared on late-night television as a lead-in to "The Tonight Show," establishing a standard in the Company's work for irreverent, creative, comedy projects that spoke to adults. Appearances on "The Jimmy Dean Show," "The Ed Sullivan Show," and "Saturday Night Live," as well as numerous short films for clients like IBM and AT&T, proved that Henson puppetry was not limited to children. Today, Henson Alternative continues to produce and develop projects for this audience. Credits include "The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell" (Netflix), "The Happytime Murders" (STX), "No, You Shut Up!" (Fusion), "Neil's Puppet Dreams" (Nerdist), "Tinseltown" (Logo), and "Puppet Up! - Uncensored" (a live puppet improvisational show named one of the top 10 "Best Stage Shows" by Entertainment Weekly).
The Miskreant Puppets are the motley troupe of puppets featured in many Henson Alternative productions like "The Happytime Murders," "Puppet Up! - Uncensored," and "No, You Shut Up!" as well as Coldplay's recent music video "Biutyful."
ABOUT WESTBETH ENTERTAINMENT
For over 40 years WBE has consistently delivered critically acclaimed, financially successful, and groundbreaking productions that have made artists and audiences' dreams come true. Beginning as The Westbeth Theatre Center and morphing into Westbeth Entertainment, developing and introducing artists and talent to North American audiences have been a big part of Westbeth's history. From Billy Connolly to Eddie Izzard to Eric Idle, Sandra Bernhard to John Leguizamo to The Jim Henson Company, and Margaret Cho to Trevor Noah to Noel Fielding, WBE has been the creative catalyst, partner, and producer of some of the most innovative performances and productions on the continent in iconic venues, such as Madison Square Garden, The Hollywood Bowl, Toronto's Massey Hall, The Chicago Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, and many others. Our journey with Ray Davies began in 1996 at the Westbeth Theatre Center with the debut of his one person show "Twentieth Century Man". This show eventually developed into the West End hit, "Sunny Afternoon", which just made its North American debut.
Co-created by award-winning director and producer Brian Henson ("Muppet Christmas Carol", "Muppet Treasure Island"), and the production's director and host Patrick Bristow ("Ellen", "Seinfeld", "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"), Puppet Up! - Uncensored is never the same show twice, effortlessly blending increasingly unhinged feats of improv comedy with the unparalleled skill and originality of Henson puppeteers. Based on suggestions from the audience, the puppet mayhem - starring the unforgettable Miskreant puppets - showcases both the improvised puppet action projected live on screens above the stage, and the puppeteers racing around below in full view of the audience to bring it all to life. Performances also include recreations of classic pieces by Jim and Jane Henson that have not been performed for audiences in decades. Puppet Up! - Uncensored is not recommended for anyone under 16 and anyone under 14 will not be admitted.
Puppet Up! VIP Experience with Brian Henson at 7:30pm
Limited Availability. Add on to any ticket when purchasing. Must have a separate ticket to early or late performance.
Brian Henson brings three of his never-before-screened short films to the big screen! The VIP experience includes an exclusive screening followed by an intimate Q&A discussion with film director and Puppet Up co-creator Brian Henson himself. All VIP Experience ticket holders will receive a Hot Dog Puppet signed by Brian Henson.
ABOUT HENSON ALTERNATIVE
Henson Alternative is The Jim Henson Company's label for content created specifically and exclusively for adult audiences. In 1955, Jim Henson's first television production "Sam & Friends" appeared on late-night television as a lead-in to "The Tonight Show," establishing a standard in the Company's work for irreverent, creative, comedy projects that spoke to adults. Appearances on "The Jimmy Dean Show," "The Ed Sullivan Show," and "Saturday Night Live," as well as numerous short films for clients like IBM and AT&T, proved that Henson puppetry was not limited to children. Today, Henson Alternative continues to produce and develop projects for this audience. Credits include "The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell" (Netflix), "The Happytime Murders" (STX), "No, You Shut Up!" (Fusion), "Neil's Puppet Dreams" (Nerdist), "Tinseltown" (Logo), and "Puppet Up! - Uncensored" (a live puppet improvisational show named one of the top 10 "Best Stage Shows" by Entertainment Weekly).
The Miskreant Puppets are the motley troupe of puppets featured in many Henson Alternative productions like "The Happytime Murders," "Puppet Up! - Uncensored," and "No, You Shut Up!" as well as Coldplay's recent music video "Biutyful."
ABOUT WESTBETH ENTERTAINMENT
For over 40 years WBE has consistently delivered critically acclaimed, financially successful, and groundbreaking productions that have made artists and audiences' dreams come true. Beginning as The Westbeth Theatre Center and morphing into Westbeth Entertainment, developing and introducing artists and talent to North American audiences have been a big part of Westbeth's history. From Billy Connolly to Eddie Izzard to Eric Idle, Sandra Bernhard to John Leguizamo to The Jim Henson Company, and Margaret Cho to Trevor Noah to Noel Fielding, WBE has been the creative catalyst, partner, and producer of some of the most innovative performances and productions on the continent in iconic venues, such as Madison Square Garden, The Hollywood Bowl, Toronto's Massey Hall, The Chicago Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, and many others. Our journey with Ray Davies began in 1996 at the Westbeth Theatre Center with the debut of his one person show "Twentieth Century Man". This show eventually developed into the West End hit, "Sunny Afternoon", which just made its North American debut.
read more
Puppet Up! VIP Experience with Brian Henson at 7:30pm
Limited Availability. Add on to any ticket when purchasing. Must have a separate ticket to early or late performance.
Brian Henson brings three of his never-before-screened short films to the big screen! The VIP experience includes an exclusive screening followed by an intimate Q&A discussion with film director and Puppet Up co-creator Brian Henson himself. All VIP Experience ticket holders will receive a Hot Dog Puppet signed by Brian Henson.
ABOUT HENSON ALTERNATIVE
Henson Alternative is The Jim Henson Company's label for content created specifically and exclusively for adult audiences. In 1955, Jim Henson's first television production "Sam & Friends" appeared on late-night television as a lead-in to "The Tonight Show," establishing a standard in the Company's work for irreverent, creative, comedy projects that spoke to adults. Appearances on "The Jimmy Dean Show," "The Ed Sullivan Show," and "Saturday Night Live," as well as numerous short films for clients like IBM and AT&T, proved that Henson puppetry was not limited to children. Today, Henson Alternative continues to produce and develop projects for this audience. Credits include "The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell" (Netflix), "The Happytime Murders" (STX), "No, You Shut Up!" (Fusion), "Neil's Puppet Dreams" (Nerdist), "Tinseltown" (Logo), and "Puppet Up! - Uncensored" (a live puppet improvisational show named one of the top 10 "Best Stage Shows" by Entertainment Weekly).
The Miskreant Puppets are the motley troupe of puppets featured in many Henson Alternative productions like "The Happytime Murders," "Puppet Up! - Uncensored," and "No, You Shut Up!" as well as Coldplay's recent music video "Biutyful."
ABOUT WESTBETH ENTERTAINMENT
For over 40 years WBE has consistently delivered critically acclaimed, financially successful, and groundbreaking productions that have made artists and audiences' dreams come true. Beginning as The Westbeth Theatre Center and morphing into Westbeth Entertainment, developing and introducing artists and talent to North American audiences have been a big part of Westbeth's history. From Billy Connolly to Eddie Izzard to Eric Idle, Sandra Bernhard to John Leguizamo to The Jim Henson Company, and Margaret Cho to Trevor Noah to Noel Fielding, WBE has been the creative catalyst, partner, and producer of some of the most innovative performances and productions on the continent in iconic venues, such as Madison Square Garden, The Hollywood Bowl, Toronto's Massey Hall, The Chicago Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, and many others. Our journey with Ray Davies began in 1996 at the Westbeth Theatre Center with the debut of his one person show "Twentieth Century Man". This show eventually developed into the West End hit, "Sunny Afternoon", which just made its North American debut.
show less
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