So Paddington is totally sold out and won lots of Olivier awards – so what – Avenue Q is now in town and it’s fabulicious!
Now open at The Shaftesbury Theatre (having previously been in London in 2006 and 2009/2010), it’s a show that we all need in this current toxic political climate.
Avenue Q promotes ‘purpose’ to one’s life told via the lives of puppet characters that seem all too real considering there are actors/singers manipulating them. It is set in a neighborhood in NYC that is a melting pot of people and culture.
Princeton moves in and is welcomed by his neighbours. He meets Kate Monster, who dreams of opening up a school for monsters, while everyone knows Rod is gay, including his roommate, but he just won’t properly come out. Television star Gary Coleman has hit hard times and is now working as the community janitor while couple Brian and Christmas Eve (Oliver Jacobson and Amelia Kinu Muus) bring the real human touch to the show. These puppets, and humans, navigate life’s up and downs in a show that is full of charm, fun, updated and where the scenes and jokes move crisply and quickly.
Avenue Q is full of catchy, as well as controversial songs (‘It Sucks to Be Me,’ ‘Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist’ and ‘The Internet is for Porn’ where porn is said way too many times) all sung tongue in cheek and not to be taken seriously. And the stage set looks like the real deal – it could be from the set of ‘Different Strokes.’
Is this show for the entire family? There are some subtle adult themes including Lucy the Slut who dresses and performs provocatively, and the porn song, so it’s up to parents to decide, but everyone will enjoy this thoroughly colourful musical. With a humorous look at puppet life with original music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, and smooth direction by Jason Moore with Rick Lyon masterfully designing the puppets, Avenue Q is puppetry joy!