I'm not wearing underwear today…or, uh, actually that would be a song from the musical Avenue Q. Having just opened a too-brief run at the Ahmanson, the puppet-based lewdness is the overnight success story of two aspiring interns who propelled a little puppet musical from off-Broadway in 2003 to a wildly successful run on Broadway, then seasons in Vegas and national tours.
Did they mention they won the Tony? Hey, people dig dirty puppets.
In a non-descript New York City borough, Jim Henson knock-offs and real live humans navigate around less-than-swank brownstones while tackling less-than-safe topics like, oh, porn, racism, homosexuality and getting it on. The Avenue Q Super is none other than "Diff'rent Strokes"’ Gary Coleman—though played by the talented female actress Carla Renata, performing numbers like "It Sucks to Be Me" and "Schadenfreude" (which translates to “delight over another's misfortune”).
As for puppet nudity: yep. Princeton and Kate Monster have a few too many drinks thanks to the Bad Idea Bears and go home together to get freaky according to nearly every page of the Kama Sutra. It doesn't take a pervert to enjoy the adorable and innately human aspects of puppet love; I was falling out of my chair laughing. Even though, yes, I’m kind of a pervert. Aren’t we all? No? Fine.
If you haven't seen puppetry since watching Fraggle Rock over Ego waffles, prepare for a twist as the puppeteers act, sing and dance along with their felt counterparts. Though I worried this would be a distraction, the cast was astonishing in developing the persona of their puppets. Kelly Sawyer took on the particularly challenging task of playing the sweet, demure school teacher Kate Monster, as well as Lucy the Slut—a performer of "Girls Gone Wild" fame. Sawyer also squeezed some tears and sniffles out of me during "There's a Fine, Fine Line," as she sings for Kate Monster about the pain of relationships. Yeah, I cried at puppets.
So, you don't dig musicals or naked puppets? Let's just say seeing Avenue Q will make you feel better than that seventy five buck bar tab, and it will be way cooler to tell your parents you met your recent significant other at the L.A. premiere of Avenue Q than at the Snakepit. The food and booze is nothing to rave about, so take advantage of the ‘hood and grub at Engine Co. No. 28 before kicking your heels up the tall stairs to Seven Grand. You'll have loads to discuss like, "What do you do with a B.A. in English?" Good question, Sherlock!
When: Through October 14. Click here for times
Where: Ahmanson Theatre on N. Grand Ave, Downtown Los Angeles
How: For tickets, see centertheatregroup.org or call 213 628 2772.
Add a comment