Play the Music, Light the Lights

It's showtime at the Muppet Theater! And there's a big-shot Hollywood producer in the audience ready to make stars out of the Muppets if they can actually get to the final bow! It's time to play the music and light the lights (hey, that's the name of the LARP!) in this game inspired by Do You Hear the People Sing? and The Muppet Show.

Long Description

To introduce our game, that's what I'm here to do, so it really makes me happy to introduce to you: Play the Music, Light the Lights is a comedic performance-based LARP inspired by Alex Helm's Do You Hear the People Sing, The Muppet Show (and all associated Muppet stories) and Noises Off. In this game, players will take on the roles of the iconic Muppet characters as they try to make it through a night filled with music, variety acts, guest stars and at least one chicken.

When they're not performing, the Muppets will have to prepare backstage while addressing their personal heart-felt (hah) dramas, because tonight is not like any night. Tonight, the famous Hollywood producer Parker Producer (the name is just a coincidence) is in the audience, and they've promised the Muppets that a successful performance will be rewarded by the standard rich and famous contract. All they have to do is keep the audience happy and make sure the show finishes on time, which might be easier said than done seeing as not everyone within the gang wants to succeed.

Can the Muppets make it through the most important night of their lives without causing chaos?!... let me rephrase that. Can the Muppets make it through the most important night of their lives without causing too much chaos?!

In order to succeed, you will likely have to perform songs, comedy acts, variety performances and more, but you don't need to perform them well. As long as you're on stage, you can do as much or as little as you want, with in-game mechanics to determine whether or not you can make it through the Muppet-y chaos. Performing materials will include classic Muppet standards, some Broadway classics, plenty of pop hits and at least one or two songs that will make you go 'I don't think this is a real song but okay.' Not only is there no pressure for you to perform well (consider this the safest and most supportive environment in the world), but you will also have a hand in customizing part of the set list for the show.

Those interested in playing the Muppet characters will receive a casting survey followed by pre-written character sheets. You can play one member of the principal cast (Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo the Great, Rowlf the Dog and Rizzo the Rat), who will each have a few personal goals and might have to perform solo in front of the audience. If you're interested in playing more than one character, I invite you to sign up as a Whatnot, which means you will play one or two secondary Muppet characters with only one or two goals (Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Sam Eagle, Camilla the Chicken, the Swedish Chef, Beaker, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, Uncle Deadly, Bobo the Bear, Robin the Frog), as well as plenty of ensemble roles to support the other performers. Two players will be the Very Special Guest Star(s), two pre-picked real-life celebrities (one of whom will be picked from a list of celebrities who've worked with the Muppets, and one of whom will be picked from a list of celebrities who should work with the Muppets) who have been accidentally double booked onto the show.

There are two non-singing NPC roles, and that's Statler and Waldorf, who ndon't have to sing or perform as they stand in for our audience, but do have to heckle and complain about every single thing on stage, even as they're given the chance to help/impede the Muppets on stage.

Characters are all pre-written and have pre-existing genders, however the players are free to alter those for their comfort (you can play Kermit and ask to be referred by different pronouns than the character). Each sheet will come with costuming suggestions for the characters, with an aim towards easily accessible costuming pieces that 'evoke' the feel of the character (Kermit for example has a suggested minimal costuming of a green bow tie). We ask that all players have a basic familiarity with the characters of the Muppet universe, though all sheets will come with plenty of material explaining who each character is.