Theatre
8 things you need to know about Avenue Q – The Musical
Timeless, hilarious and infamous the world over, Avenue Q is the puppet show with a big difference.
Truth is, you probably know more about this Tony Award-winning production than you realise. From the famous names behind the production to its hilarious real-life references, Avenue Q is the show that’s sent shivers across the theatre world. Ahead of its return to Perth this November, we’re rounding up some of the not-so-secret, secrets behind the side-splitting show.
1. Adults love it
A puppet show, for adults? That’s right. Don’t let their fuzzy exteriors fool you, this cast are anything but tight-lipped on the topics of drinking, delving into the dark corners of the Internet and well, all things adulthood. As for taking the whole family along, all this means Avenue Q may not be appropriate for young children but depending on maturing levels, has been a hit with teenagers. We’d say it’s up to the parents to make a call of the maturity level of their children but if you do take them along, know that they’ll think it’s really cool.
2. It’s real to the core
Okay, so the puppets aren’t ‘real’ but that’s about the only thing that isn’t. Via tales of failed childhood stardom, excess drinking and understanding the meaning of life, watching the residents of Avenue Q navigate their way through adult life rings truer to the real world than we’d all probably care to admit.
3. It isn’t just puppets, either
The production, directed by Peter J Snee, brings the Sesame Street-esque puppet world crashing into reality with the human world. “It’s surprising how much an audience believes in these puppet characters even though you’re standing right there,” Perth music theatre performer Vincent Hooper tells communitynews.com.au. “These puppets come to life and when they say vulgar or ridiculous things, it’s just gold.”
4. It was created by Robert Lopez
Even if you’re not a big theatre buff and the name doesn’t ring a bell, you’ll know Lopez from his work on The Book of Mormon and a small matter of hit song, Let It Go, from Frozen (which he wrote!). We’ll let The Book of Mormon’s Trey Parker and Matt Stone tell you about the time they first met Lopez after watching Avenue Q…
5. It first opened on Broadway
Avenue Q made its debut in New York at the John Golden Theatre on July 31, 2003. It’s been touring globally ever since and recently finished up a hit run in Melbourne courtesy of Prince Moo Productions. We’d go so far as to call it one of the funniest shows to ever come out of Broadway.
6. It’s award winning
Avenue Q is the worthy winner of the Tony® Triple Crown for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. Need we say more?
7. Oz critics love it
“If the success of a comedy can be gauged by the frequency and quality of genuine laughs, Avenue Q is a winner,” wrote Saskia Penn, AussieTheatre.com. Adding that it, “hits the quirky, sometimes shocking, comedy on the head while finding the show’s heart.”
8. Avenue Q returns to Perth this November
The wildly witty production is now booking at Perth’s Crown Theatre from 26 November until 10 December 2017. We’re expecting tickets to fly for this limited season so head over to Ticketmaster.com.au to secure your seats now.
What do you think? Let us know if you’ll be checking out Avenue Q – The Musical in Perth @Ticketmaster_AU.
