Expect surprises from Muppets

LOS ANGELES The Muppets aren’t letting any offstage controversies detract from their first full-length live stage performance mixing music and favourite skits that will play out on the stage of the Hollywood Bowl.

In fact, it’s business as usual for Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, who described the show — all while trading insults and dodging questions about their relationship status and recent changes for the little green frog — during an interview last week.

Miss Piggy made clear that despite the pressure of the two-hour stage show, “The Muppets Take the Bowl,” her diva tendencies remain intact.

As Kermit described the show, which organizers are promising will capture the zaniness of The Muppets’ films and television escapades, he said he didn’t actually know what Piggy had planned. “What exactly are you doing? You haven’t told any of us,” Kermit said.

“This is a live performance, so I want it to be spontaneous and alive with energy, so I’m just going to wing it,” Piggy replied.

“You can’t wing it. There are 15,000 people out there. You’re going to have to rehearse or something,” Kermit said. Piggy’s response: “No, nah.” The show will feature the Muppets playing music along with conductor Thomas Wilkins and the Bowl’s Orchestra. Many Muppet flourishes are planned, including Animal on drums and several skits.

“Any time the Muppets get together, it’s a strange reunion,” Piggy said. “It’s a reunion of strange things.”

“That is true, but we are not going to hold anything back in this show,” Kermit said. “I mean, we’re going to keep the strange things in. In fact, we tried holding some things back from the show but they kept breaking out of their cages. So it’s going to be a wild one.”

There will be literal fireworks, as well. Keeping the show running will be host Bobby Moynihan, a “Saturday Night Live” alum.