Photo by Carol Rosegg
If you work in the theatre industry, you're inevitably asked on a regular basis what your favourite show of all time is. I wonder how many of us have an instant reply to that question. Many of us have had the great privilege of getting to see hundreds of plays and musicals over the years and choosing between them is certainly a challenge of theatrical proportions. However, the show that personally ticks all of my boxes is the three-time Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q - our #ShowOfTheWeek!
Still delighting audiences today at off-Broadway's New World Stages, the musical has had quite the Cinderella story over the years. Born from the creative genius of Jeff Whitty, Jeff Marx and the now EGOT-winner Robert Lopez, Avenue Q defied all conventions and broke the mould of modern musical theatre in 2003. Its original off-Broadway production at the Vineyard Theatre enjoyed such snowballing success that it swiftly led to a Broadway transfer to the John Golden Theatre and went on to pick up the Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score in 2004. It played an impressive total of 2,556 performance over more than six years. After closing on Broadway, it reopened the off-Broadway New World Stages venue in October 2009 and it is still going strong today. Shows that have followed in their footsteps, including The Book of Mormon, tip their hats in appreciation for these brave puppets, who paved the way.
One of the most appealing aspects of this musical comedy is that it indulges our thirst for nostalgia whilst simultaneously speaking to us on an adult level. Who doesn't look back fondly on their childhood memories absorbing everything that TV's "Sesame Street" had to offer. Who didn't wish that we, as humans, could live in harmony with colourful puppet characters on the same road? But how would this actually play out in the real world? - a world filled with social issues like unemployment, homelessness, loneliness and even racism. The creative team has put together a hugely entertaining show that explores this real world with a lovingly tongue-in-cheek and at times audacious attitude (that only cute, furry puppets could possibly get away with). Many of the show's remarks are played for laughs, but they also cleverly make you reflect on their message.
We all want to find our purpose in life and that is the central thread of lead character Princeton. Each of the characters' journeys resemble life challenges that undeniably speak to various members of the audience and that is what makes Avenue Q so universal.
A perfect choice for tourist visitors who don't want to fork out for more expensive Broadway tickets, Avenue Q is the epitome of the modern American musical comedy and a guaranteed fun, frolicking and furry night out!
Click here for tickets to Avenue Q for performances through to 26 February 2017 at off-Broadway's New World Stages.
The Cast of Avenue Q More Production PhotosOriginally published on