The lights go up on a shady version of Sesame Street, but this show and these puppets are not for kids. "Avenue Q" is on stage now at Clowes Memorial Hall courtesy of Broadway Across America. The show follows a mix of people, puppets and monsters that live on a street in a dodgy New York neighborhood. The newest resident, Princeton, is a recent college graduate hoping to find his "purpose" in life.
The premise sounds innocent enough, but the show is an exercise in adult humor and hilarity. The musical numbers have titles like, "Everyone is a Little Bit Racist" and "It Sucks To Be Me." There is also puppet sex, which odd as it sounds, is pretty graphic.
The talented cast, including Indiana native Carey Anderson, does a wonderful job. Despite being in full view of the audience, their animated antics add to their puppets' personality instead of becoming a distraction. Anderson has a gorgeous voice, showcased in "There's a Fine, Fine Line." Robert McClure does a particularly wonderful job with the roles of Princeton and the closeted Republican accountant Rod. Rod's character is in love with his roommate Nicky; a parody of Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie.
Despite the crude nature of some scenes the whole production is bursting with real life humor. Just like life it's a little down and dirty; some things will make you cringe, others make you giggle and many things, like the misfortune of others (a.k.a. "Schadenfreude") make you laugh out loud.
Don't Miss the Show
The show runs until Sunday, October 19 at Clowes Memorial Hall so hurry to get tickets to the show. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, The Murat Theatre, by calling (317) 239-1000 or online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
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