“Puppet Up! – Uncensored” Is A Muppet Show For Adults Only

Sammasseur rolls in the aisles…and rolls his eyes…at Venetian’s Puppet Up! 

I have a favorite joke that goes something like this:

A comedian is performing his raunchy act at a Vegas lounge when he’s heckled by someone in the audience. “Hey, stop with the four-letter words. I have my little kid here!”. The comedian replies “You brought your kid to a comedy show? At a bar…inside a casino? Well, he’d better get used to the word F*CKED, because that’s what he’s going to be with you for a parent”.

That scenario played itself out in full when I recently attended an invited performance for Puppet Up! – Uncensored at Venetian’s Sands Showroom. Host and director Patrick Bristow cleverly identified the minors…and their irresponsible parents…via a series of group shout-outs. And he deservingly pointed a bad-parent finger at them.

Why they got past the ushers is anyone’s guess, as the literature and website clearly state that Puppet Up! is for mature audiences 14 and over. In my opinion, 16 would be a better starting point, as the new show from Brian Henson‘s improv/puppet mash-up team is raunchy to the max. And that’s the intention of this production, which is clearly worn on its little felt and faux-fur sleeves.

But are naughty little puppets carrying out all manner of nastiness actually worth seeing? In this case, the answer is a solid “yes”! In all honesty, I can’t remember the last time that I’ve laughed so deeply at a live performance. Credit an amazingly gifted team of puppeteers who are also masters at the craft of improvisation. Toss a few scenarios at them and they rush to the wall of various characters. Before your eyes, they’ve created a unique sequence that will have you gasping for breath. It really is THAT funny.

The cleverest thing about Puppet Up! is that it’s two shows in one. Your eyes can focus on the center-stage action, where the performers are spontaneously creating their hysterical bits, ducking and diving around each other while playing to the video cameras. Or you can level your eyes onto several big screens that flank the stage. Up there you’ll see the Muppets presented in their own TV world, complete with moving backgrounds and effects. It’s a breathtaking multi-media experience.

Patrick Bristow is very much a hands-on director as well as the audience wrangler. He’s also a sharp comedian in his own right. Patrick sets up each bit by choosing from the cast of six puppeteers, gathering suggestions from guests and painting out the scene. Then he lets the fur fly…for awhile. If he chooses to change a sequence in mid-stream, it happens…often with side-splitting results.

Vegas puppet shows may be walking a rocky path in the weeks and months ahead. Paul Zerdin: Mouthing Off is closing next week after a short run inside Planet Hollywood. And Mirage‘s running-on-fumes Terry Fator has been relegated to weeknights at his own Terry Fator Theater since the arrival of Boys II Men.

Don’t let that deter you from giving Puppet Up! – Uncensored a place on your entertainment schedule. This is one rip-roaring comedy show that you’ll want to see over and over. Bring a box of tissues to dry your eyes. And seriously…leave the kids at home.

Puppet Up! – Uncensored performs at the Sands Showroom every Sunday and Monday at 7 pm, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 9 pm. Tickets start at $69.00 (plus taxes/fees) and can be ordered by clicking here. Travelzoo.com is running a special throughout 2016 with tickets starting at $39.00 with no additional fees. Click here to access the deal.

[Photos: Sammasseur, Puppet Up! via Facebook, Denise Truscello]

sammasseur

A fitness buff and Vegas fan. Sam enjoys shows, bargains, and cheap healthy eats.