A puppeteer from Bucks County is continuing the legacy of Jim Henson as he works on a brand new show featuring beloved Muppets characters. Kristen Hunt wrote about the new show for PhillyVoice.

Bill Barretta, a native of Yardley, began working with The Jim Henson Company in the early 1990s, just after the passing of the company’s namesake founder. Originally working on the set of Sesame Street, he has brought several beloved characters to life on television and the big screen, including the Swedish Chef, Rowlf the Dog, Pepe the King Prawn, and Dr. Teeth, the lead of the Muppets’ band the Electric Mayhem.

Now, the band is getting their own series. “The Muppets Mayhem” will premier on Disney+ on May 10. The show centers around the history of the fictional band and will feature a plethora of musical guests, including Billy Corgan, Lil Nas X, Ziggy Marley, and Chris Stapleton.

“I get a kick out of just being me, in a way — a guy who’s just can’t believe he’s actually not in a zoo and is allowed to walk around freely,” Barretta said. “That’s how I kind of feel, grateful to be a part of this group of Muppets.”

Read more about the new show at PhillyVoice.

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