Does the whole world know by now that Avenue Q is a puppet show that definitely isn’t for kids? One would hope so, but just in case….
The version that’s currently at the Playhouse @ Westport Plaza seems even rowdier than the first version I saw. I didn’t find it offensive, and neither, apparently, did the people around me to judge from their responses, but I wouldn’t take my prudish Uncle Ralph to it.
The concept is that there are live actors who play some of the characters, and there are other characters who are puppets handled by actors who voice them. Sometimes necessity causes one puppet to be handled by two people, sometimes it causes a puppet to be handled by a different person than originally, although this is pretty brief. But each puppet’s voice is done by the same person. It’s pretty amazing how easy it is for the brain to assume that it’s the puppet speaking and not realize for a little while it’s a different human handling them.
This Avenue Q is locally cast, with some newcomers to the area, as well. I’m impressed with how well our folks are rocking the puppet handling and voicing. Lee Ann Matthews directs the crowd with a steady hand. The avenue itself seems to be in the Bronx, and we meet the neighbors, a la Sesame Street. Princeton is fresh out of college and ready to start his adult life, figuring out how just that works. His neighbors Brian (Brett Ambler) and Christmas Eve (Tori Manisco, subbing for Grace Langford for the performance I saw), Kate Monster, Rod and Nicky, Trekkie Monster and Gary Coleman (Illeana Kirven), who’s the super for his building, form a supportive community even though each of them have things they’re dealing with, too – just like real life.
This all sounds pretty innocuous, but you don’t have to wait long for truth to appear. Brian’s lost his day job; he wants to be a comedian. Christmas Eve, his girlfriend, is a therapist with no clients and is impatient with Brian’s lack of employment. Kate Monster is a minority, and as Princeton finds out quickly, not related to Trekkie Monster. Rod’s a slacker and Nicky, the uptight banker can’t admit his same-sex attraction. Gary Coleman’s life is a terrible comedown from having been a child star. One of the first songs is, “It Sucks To Be Me”, giving a hint of what’s to come. That’s followed by songs like “I’m Not Wearing Underwear Today” and “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist”.
On the puppet side, Jennifer Theby-Quinn handles Kate Monster, and others, Kevin O’Brien handles Nicky, Trekkie Monster and others, and April Strelinger works multiple puppets that are secondary characters. The coordination is just remarkable.
This is running until early March. It’s a show that works as a date night, although maybe not a first date. (But on the other hand, it might prove a valuable assessment tool.) Very funny, very bawdy, fine work from the whole cast.
More local ties? Charlie Mueller is the musical director, Ben Nordstrom choreographed, Dunsi Dai did the scenic design, and Michael Sullivan the lighting. And director Matthews is ours, too. Nice to see the Playhouse utilizing our fine local talent pool.
Avenue Q
through March 3
Playhouse @ Westport Plaza