Disclaimer: if you are opposed to puppet fornication and suggestive humor this is not the show for you! Also be warned: potential seizure-causing lights are in use during the performance.
“The Internet is for porn.”
This is just one of the countless lessons audience members can take from “Avenue Q,” the quirky, musical spoof of “Sesame Street.”
“Sesame Street,” for those who are either too young, too old or live above the influence of television, is a children’s show that uses Muppets to trick children into learning.
Arriving at the Orpheum, we started our ascent to the Gallery, the only section that has student-friendly prices. When the ambassador said, “Let me see your ticket, maybe I can save you some stairs,” he then glanced at the ticket and said, “Sorry keeping heading up. Can I get you some oxygen?” I knew I was in for a memorable matinee.
Once reaching the tip-top of the nosebleed section and finding my seat, I realized that those people who paid more for their tickets may be the smart ones after all. Experiencing a mild case of vertigo, I crammed my extra-long femurs into the theater seat that was obviously not made for people over 5 ft tall and waited for the show to start. Miraculously, we were permitted to move closer, and the size of the set was shockingly bigger than we thought. So unless you are short and don’t mind people looking like ants, I would shell out the extra $10 to actually see the show.
“Avenue Q” won the Tony Award in 2004 for best musical. It details the lives of puppets living in a not-so-chic section of New York City. It focuses on problems people have in real life, like finding a place to live, struggling with your identity, finding a job and ultimately growing up. If you like alcohol, sex, singing and Gary Coleman, then this is the show for you. The show is geared to an adult crowd, so don’t try to sneak in any extremely young
whipper-snappers.
The musical tells the story of Princeton, a freshly graduated college student who is searching to find himself. He stumbles upon Avenue Q, where he meets a wacky ensemble ranging from Trekkie Monster, a porn addict, to the Bad Idea Bears who give out saucy suggestions for lewd acts. He meets Kate Monster, a teaching assistant, and sparks fly. Meanwhile Kate’s next door neighbor, Nicky, tries to pull his best friend and roommate, Rod, out of the closet: Brian, a struggling comedian and his fiancé Christmas Eve, an overly educated waitress, round out the block with the super Gary Coleman along for the ride.
You may be saying, “What you talking about Willis?,” but trust me, it’s better to save the surprises. A very unconventional Broadway production, “Avenue Q” was certainly not lacking any creativity in the props or with the set. However, the vocals for Nicky were a bit below par – maybe he has was having rough morning – but on the whole I never had imagined puppets sounding so good.
I laughed until I was on the verge of hiccups even through “Everyone is a Little Bit Racist, Sometimes,” I don’t see how you could see the show and not at the very least laugh out loud 17 times. If you missed out on seeing “Avenue Q” this time, keep your eyes peeled. Or if you head to NYC, be sure to check it out. Who knew real life played out with puppets and put to catchy music would make everything seem better “For Now.”