Lower Ossington Theatre: Avenue Q

Lucy the Slut and Kira Hall in Avenue Q. Photo by Seanna Kennedy.

There are few things more friendly to a child than the big, endearing eyes of a puppet. For most adults, the very thought of a colourful, felt-bodied puppet brings about childhood memories associated with television shows such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. This nostalgia is what Avenue Q, now playing at the Lower Ossington Theatre, draws on to entice its audience. From the outset, this production looks exactly like Sesame Street and sounds just like The Muppet Show, but this is a grown-up set of puppets in a very adult-themed production.

Before the show begins, the audience is treated to a series of theme songs and commercial jingles from the late 1980s and early 1990s—namely, Reading Rainbow, Mr. Rogers' Neighbourhood, and Mr. Dressup. With a happy nostalgia floating in the air, we meet Princeton (Adam Proulx), who is trying to find his purpose in life after graduating college with a B.A. in English. Princeton lives on Avenue Q along with Kate Monster (Kira Hall), roommates Nicky (Phil Skala) and Rod (also played by Adam Proulx), and engaged couple Brian (Mark Willett) and Christmas Eve (Amelia Hironaka). Next door to Brian and Christmas Eve live the one and only Gary Coleman (Nicole Stamp) and Trekkie Monster (Adam Norrad).

In the first fifteen minutes, we discover a great deal about the troubles each individual is facing—Kate Monster longs for a boyfriend, Brian is unemployed, and Nicky is trying to coax Rod out of the closet. This colourful cast of characters all have their own problems, and agree that “It Sucks to Be Me," but they do so in a cheery way that endears them to their audience.

The use of puppets in Avenue Q is what makes the show so unique and visually delightful. The actors/puppeteers, although standing behind the puppets, mirror how the puppets are feeling at each moment in the show. The actors are meant to be hidden, but their performances are so outstanding that the audience's focus is often on them, rather than the felted creatures on their arms.

Highlights include the hilarious “Everyone's a Little Bit Racist” and “The Internet is for Porn," which push the envelope but still manage to stay remarkably innocent. Princeton and Kate Monster realize their feelings for one another quickly on their first date, leading to a scene that had several bashful audience members covering their eyes while laughing hysterically. Lucy the Slut (also voiced by Kira Hall) and the Bad Idea Bears steal the show with their outrageous dialogue and comedic timing.

Avenue Q's heart truly lies with its human actors. At Brian and Christmas Eve's wedding, Princeton explains to Kate Monster that their relationship is preventing him from finding his purpose. Hurt, Kate Monster sings the emotional “There's a Fine, Fine Line," a breakout performance by Kira Hall. Amelia Hironaka's character of Christmas Eve is a wise-cracking therapist who is always ready to listen to the troubles of her neighbors on Avenue Q, helping them to reach their goals.

Underscored by outstanding performances, the Lower Ossington Theatre's production of Avenue Q is packed with laughs, but also warmth, using the innocence of puppets to tell a very modern, true-to-life story that has something for everyone.

Avenue Qruns until July 22 at the Lower Ossington Theatre. Visit lowerossingtontheatre.com for more information and to buy tickets.