Julie Andrews is bringing her extraordinary talents to Netflix. The iconic actress is teaming with The Jim Henson Company for an all-new children’s show titled Julie’s Greenroom. The program, which is aimed at preschoolers, was created by Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton and Judy Rothman-RofÄ— and will star Andrews as “Ms Julie,” along with an all-new puppet cast of kids as they learn from their teacher at Wellspring Center for the Performing Arts.
Per Netflix, Ms. Julie and her devoted assistant Gus (Giullian Yao Gioiello) bring the performing arts to a new generation of kids known as the “Greenies,” played by original puppet characters built by the renowned Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. The Greenies are a diverse group of kids who are mesmerized by all that the arts and creativity has to offer. Over the course of the season, with Ms. Julie’s guidance and inspiration from the visiting guest artists, the kids create an entirely original new show, that is a mashup of all the performing arts including mime, music, dance, improv, circus arts, voice and more.
Furthermore, most episodes will feature original songs created for Julie’s Greenroom, and every episode will have a special guest star that teaches the kids about a specific area of the performing arts. Guest stars already set to appear on the show include Alec Baldwin, Sara Bareilles, Joshua Bell, Tituss Burgess, Carol Burnett, Chris Colfer, Robert Fairchild, Josh Groban, David Hyde Pierce, Bill Erwin, Ellie Kemper, Idina Menzel, Tiler Peck, and Stomp.
“This project represents the fulfillment of a long held dream to educate children about the wonder of the arts,” Julie Andrews said in a statement. “I am thrilled to be partnering with my daughter and long time coauthor, Emma, to bring this show to life along with our co-creator, Judy Rothman-RofÄ—. We could not be more honored to be working with the extraordinary Jim Henson Company. We are equally delighted to be premiering as a Netflix original production.”
“It’s been an incredible treat to work with Julie on this project,” said Andy Yeatman, Director of Global Kids Content at Netflix. “This show is all about awakening children’s interest in the performing arts while introducing a new era of puppets to the viewers.”
“The best of the best have joined together to bring Julie’s Greenroom to Netflix,” said Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company. “Our award-winning director, Tony-nominated puppeteers, Broadway composer, and accomplished guest artists, led by the incomparable Julie Andrews, together will inspire kids to explore, appreciate and celebrate all forms of performing arts.”
Julie’s Greenroom began shooting last month in New York. All 13 of the show’s 30-minute episodes will debut globally on Netflix in early 2017. Check out a teaser for the show below:
[Photo via YouTube]
