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Cassidy Janson with Kate Monster. |
London’s West End is the theatre lover’s promised land. I visited the popular district just over a week ago and finally had the chance to catch a show I’ve been dying to see for a long time. Avenue Q moved across the pond in June 2006 after a very successful four-year run both off and on Broadway (the musical won three Tony Awards including Best Musical in 2004). Now playing at the beautiful Wyndhams Theatre, the show is enjoying a successful fifth year in London. The house was jam-packed on Monday, August 16 (a good sign considering the length of its run), and I’m happy to say this production definitely lived up to the hype. I’ve been chuckling at the songs in my head ever since!
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Paul Spicer & company. |
Avenue Q is set on a low-rent street in a borough of New York City. Princeton, a fresh-faced college graduate moves into the neighbourhood and is greeted by a cast of quirky characters, performed by both humans and puppets. The story follows the protagonist as he grapples with the realities of adulthood and tries to figure out his life’s purpose. Gary, a parody of child star Gary Coleman, works as the superintendent of the apartment complex and is living proof that growing up ain’t easy. The cast also includes: Kate Monster, a Kindergarten teaching assistant who has a thing for Princeton; Rod, an investment banker with a secret; Nicky, Rod’s lazy roommate; Brian, a wannabe comedian; Christmas Eve, a therapist with no clients; Trekkie Monster, an Internet porn fiend, and Lucy the Slut, a trashy blonde singer. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the Bad Idea Bears, two mischievous and persuasive puppets who convince people to do naughty things (I think they were an audience favourite).
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Bad Idea Bear. |
The show’s award-winning original score is very catchy. Songs like “What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?” (this one hit home for me), “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist,” “The Internet is for Porn” and “Schadenfreude” give a subversive and ironic perspective of everyday life — they hit the nail on the head. I imagine the musical’s themes are especially poignant for those of us in our twenties and thirties, but adults of all ages will relate. The set design is fantastic, and the human cast members are master puppeteers. The puppets really shine on their own even though we can see people moving and speaking for them. Cassidy Janson is particularly impressive as both Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut. She juggles voices with ease and can really sing. Paul Spicer and Tom Parsons are also skilled at switching characters and both have excellent comedic timing. Avenue Q is a delightfully imaginative and tremendously fun show. As my boyfriend says, “It’s like Sesame Street for adults.” We loved it. I would see it again if I could! Sadly, the show closes in the West End on October 30, 2010. Be sure to check it out if you’re in London. Click here to buy tickets.
