'Avenue Q' is the puppet-cast musical that has taken the West End by storm since it's opening in July of 2006 and has quickly become one of London theatre's best loved shows. Composed as a grown-up version of 'Sesame Street', 'Avenue Q' tells the story of several adult puppets trying to find their way through the obstacles of everyday life. With a storyline that touches on homosexuality, racism and pornography and which features sex scenes and coarse language, 'Avenue Q' is certainly not for the faint hearted.
Written by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marks (a former 'Sesame Street' cast member) and directed by Jason Moore, 'Avenue Q' originally opened off Broadway in March of 2003. It gained notoriety rapidly and in less than six months had moved to Broadway, where it is still being shown today. The show's success stems from the uncanny resemblance of it's puppet characters to those which audiences grew up with on 'Sesame Street' - not only do they look the same (Rick Lyon, one of the puppet designers for 'Avenue Q', worked on 'Sesame Street' also), but some of the characters mimic those which were on the show. The room-mates Rod and Nicky, one of whom is gay, are said to be based upon the 'Sesame Street' characters of Bert and Ernie. The Trekkie Monster character who is obsessed with internet pornography is allegedly based upon the 'Sesame Street' Cookie Monster character. 'Avenue Q's popularity would seem to stem from the fact that while the characters look and sound like 'Sesame Street's beloved residents they actually act like adult human beings, struggling with unemployment and relationship dissatisfaction just like the rest of us.
The 'Avenue Q' story opens with recent university graduate Princeton trying to find a suitable apartment to move into in the big city (originally New York City but adapted to suit the city the show is being performed in). Princeton stumbles upon Avenue Q and it's entertaining array of residents: Nicky and Rod, room-mates and best friends; comedian Brian and his fiancé Christmas Eve (performed by humans rather than puppets); Kate Monster, a kindergarten teacher who is unhappily single; and Gary Coleman, the apartment block superintendent (also played by a human actor rather than a puppet), amongst others. Princeton decides that Avenue Q is his sort of neighbourhood and moves in, beginning the search for a job and for his 'purpose' in life. Whilst Princeton ponders, Kate Monster tries to plan a lesson for her school kids about the internet, but is interrupted by the male residents of Avenue Q telling her that 'The Internet is for Porn' (this is the song that has made Avenue Q famous, particularly on the internet through YouTube broadcasts).
Princeton realizes that he is attracted to Kate and asks her out on a date to a local café, only to be introduced to a seductive female puppet named Lucy the Slut who attempts to steal Princeton's affections. A few days later, Princeton realizes that he isn't ready for commitment with Kate and breaks it off. For a few weeks each of the show's characters find themselves depressed and alone, until Princeton resolves to start his life again by taking up Lucy the Slut's offer of a date. Kate decides to try again with Princeton, only to have her letter of forgiveness torn up by Lucy the Slut before Princeton can read it. After an unfortunate accident that sends Lucy into a coma, Kate and Princeton try to resolve their issues without success. Princeton tries to make amends by raising funds to build Kate her own school for monsters, at which point Trekkie Monster comes to the rescue with a huge donation of funds earned through years of pornography investment. Kate and Princeton, meanwhile, agree to take things one day at a time and accept that life doesn't always have a happy ending.
'Avenue Q' has won several internationally renowned awards including three Tonys (Tony Award for Best Musical 2004, Tony Award for Best Musical Score 2004, and Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical 2004) and a Variety Club Showbiz Theatre Award (2006). Whilst the original Noel Coward Theatre West End cast is no longer performing, a fresh crop of critically acclaimed talent has taken their place, including Daniel Boys, Christopher Fry and Rebecca Look. Mid-week cheap theatre tickets are available from the box-office, as is an extensive range of 'Avenue Q' themed merchandise. As far as London musicals go, if you're after a fun night of slightly-off-beat comedy look no further than 'Avenue Q'.