Published in The News Tribune,
June 10, 2016
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| Ensemble cast of Avenue Q. |
“Avenue Q” is an edgy adult
comedy billed by Lakewood Playhouse as “‘Sesame Street’ Grows Up And Moves to ‘South
Park.’” Originally conceived as a television show, it is presented in the style
of a children’s show with puppets and catchy songs, but unlike the former and
more like the latter, the themes are definitely adult-only. So is much of the
language. There is even a scene with simulated sex by puppets stage right while
actors and other puppets stage left sing a loud and rousing "You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You
Want When You're Makin' Love."
Other clever songs include: "It Sucks to Be Me," "If You Were Gay, "
"Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," "What Do You Do with a B.A. in
English?" and "The Internet is for Porn."
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Two of the main characters, who may or may not be gay, are roommates Rod (Kyle Sinclair) and Nicky (Derek Hall), who are unmistakable takeoffs on Bert and Ernie
from “Sesame Street.” Trekkie Monster (also Hall) whose
voice is a whole lot like his namesake, Cookie
Monster. The landlord of the apartment on Avenue Q is none other than former
child star Gary Coleman (not a puppet but live actor Tony L. Williams,). And a
very slutty Lucy (Taylor Davis) is a cross between Miss Piggy and Mae West.
All
puppets are operated on stage by actors in full view of the audience. Director Victoria
Webb credits puppet master Lance Woolen with “making the puppets come to life.”
I also credit the actors for disappearing into their puppets in the sense that
they both act their parts and make the puppets act their parts. The combination
of acting and puppeteering is amazing to watch.
Some
of the puppets take two actors to operate, and there appear to be some fast
swapping of who is operating which puppets. For example, there was one point
when actor Taylor Davis clearly exited the stage, and yet within seconds I saw
her on stage operating a puppet that I believe Kayla Crawford had been
operating moments before. I never saw the swap, and it happened so fast that
now I’m not sure I saw what I thought I saw. There was a lot of that kind of
thing going on so pay attention.
Also
acting (not with a puppet) is Conner Brown as Brian the building superintendent
whose dream is to be a stand-up comic and JasminRae (((CQ))) Onggao Lazaroo (also
no puppet) as Brian’s partner, Christmas Eve. Rounding out the cast are Kate
Monster (Davis), Mrs. T. and Bad Idea Bear (Crawford), and Princeton
(Sinclair).
The
story is that of young adults fresh out of college trying to find their way in
the world while wrestling with issues of love, sex, finding their purpose in
life, and how to make a living and pay the rent.
The
ensemble cast is made up of newcomers to Lakewood Playhouse, all of whom are
either making their debut there or for whom this is their second show at the
Playhouse, and they do an excellent job of both acting and puppeteering in
roles that must be technically challenging.
I
can easily imagine how hilarious and how shocking “Avenue Q” must have
been when it debuted on Broadway in 2004 (winner of the Tony Award “triple
crown”: Best Musical, Best Score and Best
Book). It must have been as astounding as “Hair” or “Saturday Night Live” when
they first appeared. Not so shocking for today’s audiences, “Avenue Q” is still
funny. The tunes are catchy, it is surprisingly sweet, and the social
commentary is still relevant.
WHEN: 8 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m.,
through July 3
WHERE: Lakewood Playhouse, 5729
Lakewood Towne Center Blvd., Lakewood
TICKETS: $24-$29,
pay-what-you-will actors’ benefit June 16
INFORMATION: 253-588-0042, www.lakewoodplayhouse.org
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