“FULL PUPPET NUDITY!” This was the original selling point of one of the highest grossing & most innovative pieces of Musical Theatre produced within the last 20 years. With the exception, of two years (2004 & 2008) this “TONY© "TRIPLE CROWN" Winner for BEST MUSICAL, BEST SCORE and BEST BOOK” has been a continuous worldwide sensation, heading lining in places like Stockholm, the UK, Brazil, Madrid, Argentina, Paris, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and it even made a stop here in 2014. It's been deemed a "...savvy, sassy and eminently likable...breakthrough musical" by Ben Brantley of The New York Times. It's an intensely hilarious musical romp through a fictitious portion of NYC, honestly told from the mouths of real live individuals down to their core; to their very heart, soul, stuffing, stitching, fur & felt. From the imaginations of Robert Lopez (The Book of Mormon) and Jeff Marx comes the widely popular Avenue Q!
Now, it's safe to say that The “... Q” is a very risky production for ANY community theatre to undertake. This half person-half puppet story is one that is intensely comedic, but it's due to the usage of vulgar language, risky yet real subject matter and live puppet sex acts (Yes, you read correctly, my friend.) it's been deemed “not suitable for young audiences”. Essentially, the writers took some of our “Sesame” childhood staples and gave then all a healthy shot of reality... and some a shot of something stronger. The story follows a college graduate named Princeton (Imagine a young 'Guy Smiley') on his journey into the bowels of life as a citizen in the rough streets of NYC. After a delightful yet comical cartoon intro theme (“The Avenue Q Theme”), we meet our lead who ponders what life has in store for him & what change he can bring to this world (“What Do You Do With A B.A. In English”). We are then transported to our title location where we met the residence: comedian Brain & his angry Asian American wife, Christmas Eve (Yes... that's her name...), teacher's aide Kate Monster (a monster version of 'Prairie Dawn'), and roomates, the closeted Republican investment banker, Rod & the likeable freeloader, Nicky (Remnants of Bert and Ernie) all lamenting on how awful their lives are (“It Sucks To Be Me”) but among the introduction of the building superintendant, Gary Coleman... (Yes... THAT Gary Coleman... Gotta have a guest star...) everyone figures their life isn't that bad. They all meet Princeton become the best of friends. One day, as Rod tries to read his favorite book, Nicky comes in to tell him about a man who came on to him on the subway, mistaking him for “gay”. Rod quickly ends the conversation as Nicky reminds him that he would always accept him, no matter what his choices (“If You Were Gay”). Princeton meets Gary outside where he receives a phone call firing him from his job before he's even started. Bummer. But, he stays inspires and beings to search for his meaning in life (“Purpose”). Princeton and Kate have a conversation about Kate's purpose, building the “Monstersori School for Young Monsters”. This leads to a pretty headed discussion about Racism and how if everyone would just be honest & stop being so P.C., the world might be a little better (“Everyone's a Little Bit Racist”). Kate receives a call from her boss, Mrs. Thistletwat saying she'll be in charge of her class the next morning. She immediately being planning a lesson (aloud) based upon the internet. But she's soon interrupted by the seldom seen but always present Trekkie Monster (a healthy mix of “Cookie” & “Sweetums”) would interjects his thoughts (“The Internet is for Porn”). Kate leaves it alone and starts thinking about her potentional relationship with Princeton would arrives with a confusing gift and a date invitation (“Mix Tape”).
CAST (IN ORDER FROM RT-LT): HEIDI HANSFIELD (BAD IDEA BEAR),
DAVID GEINOSKY (PRINCETON) & GREG PEARSON (BAD IDEA BEAR)
Everyone meets at Brian's “host gig” ("I'm Not Wearing Underwear") to watch a performance featuring the infamous Lucy The Slut (“Special”) who comes onto a slightly intoxicated Princeton. A VERY intoxicated Kate defends her territory and takes Princeton home at the advice of the Bad Idea Bears, a duo of very “unbalanced” stuffed bears who seem to like getting Princetopn into trouble. Gary intercedes angry calls while telling us how love-making was made to be loud ("You Can Be As Loud As The Hell You Want") After an unforgettable night, Princeton and Kate fall for each other while Rod dreams about what it may be like to know Nicky's love ("Fantasies Come True"). Kate wakes up the next afternoon, hung over, havign missed the majority of her teaching day. When reprimanded by Mrs. Thistletwat, she quits and decided to pursuit her purpose. Almost simultaneously, Christmas Eve decided it's time for she and Brian to be married. They have the wedding where Nicky announces that Rod is a “closeted homosexual”. Rod protests ("My Girlfriend, Who Lives in Canada") and kicks Nicky out. After some careful thought, Princeton decides he should focus on finding his purpose, leaving Kate to redirect her life after a gorgeous “love lost” lament (“There's a Fine, Fine Line”).
After two weeks, Princeton had depleted his savings & effectively avoided everyone on Avenue Q. Brian convinces him to take a trip around the city with some of the crew where he reencounters Lucy the Slut. He takes her home (“There Is Life Outside Your Apartment”) but in route, runs into Kate. She expresses her hurt to Christmas Eve who explains how being hurt is a part of being loved (“The More You Ruv Someone”). The next morning, Kate goes to Princeton's and leaves a note asking him to meet her on top of the Empire State Buliding. Lucy prompts disposes of it. Nicky, who has 'couch-hopped' all over the Avenue finds himself homeless, but Gary confesses more humor in his situation than anything (“Schedenfreude”). At the top of the Empire State Building, Kate decides she's waited for Princeton long enough & throws his lucky penny over the ledge. Karma always has the last word as the penny knocks Lucy unconscience. At Lucy's hospital room, the Princeton & Kate attempt to work things out, but to no avail. A stubborn Rod acts too good to forgive his old pal, Nicky, leaving him and our leads longing for simpler times (“I Wish I Could Go Back to College”). Princeton sees Nicky on the street, who begs him for money. When the feeling of generosity overtakes him, he comes up with a plan to show Kate how he really feels: Raise money to help her with her purpose (“The Money Song”). After coming up extremely short, the gang ask Trekkie who initially refuses but, upon hearing the idea, feels overcome with joy, making a 10 million dollar investment. (“School for Monsters/The Money Song (Reprise)”). Everything wraps up nicely, with Rod coming to terms with who he is & apologizing to Nicky who, in turn, introduces him to a potential love interest, Ricky. (#LoveWins); Christmas Eve & Brian find work in their respective fields and move away; Lucy survives her coma and runs to “The Lord” while the Bad Idea Bears run to L. Ron Hubbard; Upon hearing it was Princeton who made the Monstersori School a reality, Kate & Princeton give their relationship a second chance. ("There's a Fine, Fine Line (Reprise)"). A new college graduate, very similar to Princeton, asks Gary about the new vacancy ("What Do You Do with a BA in English (Reprise)") when Princeton get it... His Purpose is to take all of his newfound knowledge and put into a Broadway musical. Everybody immediately treats it like the worst idea ever heard, even the new guy. Luckly, his friends are there to remind him that even if he never finds his purpose, life goes on, and everything in life is 'only “For Now.”'
Now that you know the story, you have the understannd the challenge with telling this story. First: We must understand that the majority of actors that undertake this production have NEVER done puppetry a day in their lives. Having done it on a few occassions, let me start by staying: Holding your arm in a upward 90% position for nearly two hours is extremely uncomfortable and can be downright painful. Broadway's cast was no exception. They had to train with master puppeteers (how cool is that?) in preparation. Beyond this: You must also remember that the star isn't the actor. The real stars are the puppets... So, all energy must radiate from actor to puppet to people. What makes it even more difficult is that at sometimes there are TWO people controlling ONE puppet (Trekkie, Nicky, Mrs. T.) so energies cross that keep you on the edge of your seat. That makes this review a little more complex to write, in my opinion. So, Now that I'm done “Bernie Sanders-ing” with all this in tow, the Highland Park Players heeded the call, cast the show, sent the actors to puppet boot camp, and opened this powerful production last Friday, and I must stay, I was thoroughly & ferociously impressed.
First, the Production Crew: Director Catherine Davis, Music Director Ken Preuss & the outstanding “Broadway Quality” pit orchestra, Choreographer Alexis Armstrong, Puppet Directors Rachel Christianson & Daniel Dempsey, Set Designer David Erck, Costume Janice Gemp, Lighting Designer Kurt Ottinger: Your work was impeccable!!! If not Broadway/Touring worthy, at least Chicago Mainstream Worthy. You can tell you put your hearts into this creation because it stands in every technical aspect. From the properly timed lighting cues to the choices of stage elements... Everything was well thought out, well executed and never lacking. Brava!
No Production is complete without a stellar cast, and the Production Team shot for the stars! While I agreed with every actor chosen for every role, because of the show's intricacies, some elements scared me at times. Bob Spidale (Addison) heald his own quite nicely and intertwine with every dual character he was a part of. Heidi Hansfield (Chicago) & Greg Pearson (Chicago) eerily hysterical portrayal of the Bad Idea Bears was not only gut-bustingly funny but also something I'm sure I've witness in one of my nightmares. Especially, Greg... Bravo, Scary Greg, Bravo. Ashley Foreman's (Round Lake Heights) Gary Coleman was impressive throughout but on bigger solo numbers (“Loud”) felt a touch forced at times. Angela Carrington (Wheeling) as Lucy The Slut brought a uproar of applause at her curtain call and brought the house down during “Special”. Aaron Miller (Vernon Hills) made Brian a really loveable dope & you really hope his comedy thing works out. Casting Hannah Rose (Highland Park) as Christmas Eve seemed a scary decision, as it's very east to overcamp the playing of a comecally written Asian role... But, she carried it out with a lot of style and grace, blurring any threat of racy stereotype.
TERRY MCENROE as TREKKIE MONSTER
Terry McEnroe (Chicago) was literally EVERYWHERE. The man is magic. From the Cancerous and Cantankerous Mrs Thistletwat to the Zany & Horned Up Trekkie Monster, I was stunned with his charaterization and ability to make both gruff characters so unique in their own ways. And, the curtain speech... I want it as a phone ringer. So. Ridiculously. Funny. Aaron Stash (Northbrook) and Brad Kisner (Chicago) gave Rod & Nicky some of the best charaterization in the show but Kisner appeared, at times, to be moreso 'handling' Rod than speaking through him. There were traded moments of voice with no mouth movement & sometimes the vice versa. David Geinosky's (Elk Grove) OUTSTANDING characterization of Princeton was a pleasure to watch unfold. Though it would appear his nerves would get to him in regards to the puppetering, his execution was nearly flawless and so well connected.
JUSTINE KLINE as KATE MONSTER
The award of the night however MUST go to the incompearble, Justine Klein (Chicago) who gave a FLAWLESS performace as Kate Monster. The Character was there. The Soul was there. The connection was there... I watch Kate MUCH more than Klein, but Klein's movements were Kate's movements. It got so real, I could have sworn I saw Kate blink during “Fine, Fine Line”. This was the only Kate Monster performance I've seen that, in my honest opinion has rivals Stephanie D'Abruzzo original track. Thank you for the pleasure of the evening.
What more can I say about this Broadway-Worthy work that you must go see?? I'll let Director Catherine Davis have the final word: “Whether you watched Sesame Street as a child or are a parent of the Sesame Street generation, Avenue Q will hit home in a big way.”
Highly Recommended ***** Location: 3323 Walters Avenue (just West of Downtown Northbrook)
Show Times:
October 22 - 8pm
October 23 - 8pm
October 24 - 4pm & 8pm
October 25 - 2pm
Tickets are only $22 and can be reserved by calling 847-291-2995 or online at www.highlandparkplayers.com.
Running time:
Act One:- 1 hr 24 mins.
Total: 2 hours 30 minutes
(with a 15 minute intermission. )