The Phantom of the Muppet Theater

Written by	Ellen Weiss
Illustrator	Manhar Chauhan
Published	1991
Publisher	Smithmark Publishers Inc. / Muppet Press
ISBN	0-8317-6151-2

Synopsis

It's two days before another big show at the Muppet Theater, and everyone is busy doing their part to prepare. While getting ready, a number of strange things begin to happen to the cast: Piggy's wardrobe is moved (freeing a trapped Foo-Foo), Scooter finds a mysterious note in his pocket telling him to fix a leak in the theater's roof, Fozzie is pulled from a hole in the floor, and a flashlight is handed to Gonzo from out of nowhere. Its not long before everyone realizes that something peculiar is happening, and that the help they've all received did not come from their fellow castmembers. The thought of a ghastly presence in the theater scares the performers, but Kermit insists the show must go on.

The show finally arrives, and goes very well up until the grand finale, in which Gonzo is shot from a cannon. As Gonzo flies, he gets caught in some of the many ropes hanging above the stage. The show is quickly ended, the curtain is drawn, and the Muppets scramble to try to safely save Gonzo. Out of nowhere, the silhouette of a man is seen rescuing Gonzo and transporting him to safety. It is the ghost of John Stone, a fellow stage performer and builder of the theater in which the Muppets perform. In exchange for allowing the ghost to continue to live in the theater that he loves so dearly, he vows to come to the aid of the cast whenever he's needed.

Characters

Major

• Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Scooter, Gonzo, Janice, Animal, John Stone

Minor

• Foo-Foo, Statler and Waldorf, Zoot, Floyd, Dr. Teeth, Beauregard, Pops, Gaffer, Rowlf, Nigel

See also

• Uncle Deadly was referred to as the "Phantom of The Muppet Show" in episode 121.