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iMagicon has announced a lineup of six legendary Muppet performers and creators who will appear at iMagicon 2027, taking place April 23-25 at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds.
The 2027 lineup includes Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, Bonnie Erickson, Kevin Clash, Matt Vogel and Michelan "Micha" Sisti, who will bring decades of Muppet, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and Jim Henson legacy to Minot.
Goelz, the legendary puppeteer who has performed The Great Gonzo for more than five decades and remains the current performer and voice of Gonzo, trained directly with Henson and Frank Oz. He has been a principal Muppet performer since 1977.
For 52 years, Goelz has brought some of the most beloved characters in the Henson universe to life, including Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot, Beauregard, Waldorf and many others. His work extends beyond The Muppets to Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and numerous other Henson productions. Most recently, Goelz performed Zoot in Muppets Mayhem and serves as co-executive producer of Apple TV+'s “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock.”
Barretta has been a leading Muppet performer for more than 30 years. His characters include Pepe the King Prawn, Johnny Fiama, Big Mean Carl and Bobo the Bear. He also carried on several of Henson's iconic creations, including Rowlf the Dog, The Swedish Chef and Dr. Teeth. Barretta has served as a director, writer and executive producer on numerous Muppet productions, including “Muppets From Space,” “The Muppets,” “Muppets Tonight” and “Muppets Haunted Mansion.” He was a co-creator, writer, performer and executive producer of “The Muppets Mayhem.”
Erickson is the designer behind some of the most recognizable characters in entertainment. Her creations include Miss Piggy, Statler and Waldorf and Zoot of “The Electric Mayhem,” as well as one of professional sports' most iconic mascots, the Phillie Phanatic. Erickson is also a trustee of the Henson Legacy.
Vogel is a director, producer, actor and one of the core performers behind both the Disney Muppets and Sesame Street. His Muppet characters include Kermit the Frog, Floyd Pepper, Uncle Deadly, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Sweetums and Constantine, while his Sesame Street performances include Big Bird, The Count, Mr. Johnson, Biff, Herb the Dinosaur and the Yip-Yip Martians. Vogel is also an Emmy-winning director and producer and has earned numerous awards for his work on Sesame Street. He is the host of the podcasts “Below the Frame”and “SOLVE FOR GEN X.”
Sisti brings a diverse career as a musician, actor, director and puppeteer. Fans may recognize him as Michaelangelo in the 1990s’ “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” film, Charlene Sinclair from “Dinosaurs” and the Ferengi Tol from “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” His extensive work with the Muppets includes performing Animal's drumming arms, chickens, penguins and numerous other characters and elements throughout the Muppet universe.
Clash is returning to iMagicon. Best known for his groundbreaking performance as Elmo on Sesame Street, Clash brings an extraordinary career spanning television, film and puppetry. In addition to Elmo, Clash has performed characters including Splinter in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” Baby Sinclair in “Dinosaurs” and Clifford on “Muppets Tonight.” A multiple Emmy Award winner, Clash has worked alongside legendary figures including Henson, Oz and Kermit Love and has served as a director, producer, puppet coordinator and creative adviser. His work is also featured in the acclaimed documentary “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey.”
Together, these six guests represent an extraordinary cross-section of the art, performance, design and legacy behind some of the most beloved puppetry characters ever created.
"Bringing together this group of legendary performers and creators is incredibly exciting for iMagicon and for fans across the region," said iMagicon promoter Leann Mellum. "These are the talented people behind characters that have entertained generations, and we can’t wait to welcome them to Minot for a special celebration of The Muppets and the Jim Henson legacy."
The 2027 iMagicon lineup offers fans an opportunity to meet the artists behind the characters they grew up watching, hear stories from decades of productions, and celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship that make the Muppets timeless.
Additional guests, programming, ticket information and special Muppet-related events will be announced in the coming months.