Stage Review: Avenue Q

Avenue Q, a sort of grittier, dirtier Sesame Street (in no way related), tells the tale of the residents of a low-income neighborhood. The puppets are operated by actors who are in full view, on stage, singing and dancing with no attempt at being hidden. Knowing that going in, I worried that I would find this distracting. Note, this is not a show for children.

From the opening number, in which the male puppet lead asks what he's supposed to do with his newly-earned BA in English, the show drew me in. The puppet-operating actors sort of blend into their puppets, even the ones who voice several characters at the same time.

The music is catchy, the lyrics had the audience howling in laughter and humor maintained the right blend of anti-PC, bawdiness, and even truth to make the show great. Musical numbers include the funny, and probably more honest than people want to admit "Everybody's A Little Bit Racist", the filthily hilarious "My Girlfriend in Canada", the silly "The Internet is for Porn" and "It Sucks to be Me" and the surprisingly smart "There's a Fine, Fine Line" (which I wish more women would take to heart).

The show includes video screens which are lowered into view for hilarious definitions (educational TV style), the incredibly funny and cute Bad Idea Bears and on-stage, full-nekkid puppet sex. I tried to warn you, not for kids.

The only thing I did find distracting was some of the people switching puppets, which is clever, but almost purposely "look how clever we are".

I give it a 4.5 stars out of 5, in the hopes that they will make it even better and come back.