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| Princeton. Photo Credit: Boulder's Dinner Theatre |
Music/Lyrics:
Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx
Book: Jeff Whitty
Date of Performance: Thursday, October 4, 2012
Running Time: 2 hours (includes 20 minute
intermission).
Hypothetical question: Assume you’re a producer of Broadway
musicals. Someone wants to pitch
an idea to you. It’s a contemporary
musical, using puppets, and it’s described as “Sesame Street Meets South
Park.” It’s got everything: music, humor, satire, sarcasm, gay
puppets, monsters, racism, and it asks the musical question: “What
Do You Do With a B.A. in English?”
(The irony of asking that question in Boulder was not lost on the
audience.)
Oh. It also has puppets doing naughty
things.
So…as a producer, do you
green light this project and invest millions of dollars in it? No…of course you wouldn’t. Neither would I.
And we would both be
wrong.
“Avenue Q” won the Tony Awards “Triple Crown” (Best Musical, Best
Score, Best Book) in 2004. And as
Boulder’s Dinner Theatre amply demonstrates, “Avenue Q” deserves the awards, recognition,
and praise that have been heaped on it since its debut.
The plot is Sesame Street
simple. Princeton (Brett Ambler)
is an unemployed twenty something college graduate lost in the city and looking
for his “Purpose.” Boy puppet
Princeton meets girl puppet Kate Monster (Ellen Kaye). Girl puppet falls in love with boy
puppet. You can probably see where
this is going, but revealing more would spoil the fun.
The entire production is
first rate from start to finish.
The two-story set is both impressive and functional. The lights, sound, and live music are
seamless. And the stars of the
show, the puppets, are colorful, creative, and in their own way, beautiful.
But the not so secret
ingredient here is the cast that Director Scott Beyette has put on the BDT
stage. Actors in “Avenue Q” do not just deliver their
lines. They perform as if they are
the puppets, bringing their characters alive through a hand held prop. It’s amazing to watch; the cast here
totally blurs the line between puppet and actor. They become one presence with two parts.
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| BDT Avenue Q Cast. Photo Credit: Boulder's Dinner Theatre |
This is a very strong
ensemble; there is no weak link. They
bring the right mix of playfulness (“It
Sucks to Be Me,” “My Girlfriend Lives
in Canada,” “I’m Not Wearing
Underwear Today”) and emotion (“A Mix
Tape,” “It’s a Fine, Fine Line”)
to the music. They are high
energy, talented actors, and the whole is greater than the sum of the
parts. They are truly a pleasure
to watch on the BDT stage.
Neal Dunfee’s live musicians
are hidden behind the set; they are heard but not seen. That’s a shame, because they are pitch
perfect.
“Avenue Q” is not exactly a conventional Broadway musical. It’s NOT “The Sound of Music.” It
delves into some sensitive subjects (“If
You Were Gay,” “The Internet is for
Porn”), and it offends nearly everybody (“Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist”). “Avenue Q” is a risky offering for Boulder’s Dinner Theatre. Producing Artistic Director Michael
Duran deserves a great deal of credit for bringing it to the BDT stage.
I probably wouldn’t have
invested in the original concept.
That would explain why I’m neither a Broadway producer nor wealthy
beyond my wildest dreams. I would
have totally missed the boat on a genuine hit show.
“Avenue Q” may not be for everybody, but for Boulder’s Dinner Theatre
company, this production is an artistic triumph. For the rest of us, it is a rare and special treat. If you don’t have tickets, get
them. Now.
NOTES:
This show runs through
Saturday, November 3, 2012. This
production includes adult themes and adult language. Not recommended for children.
For those who prefer family
friendly fare, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre has often brought you great theater, such
as “Cinderella.”
Families will also be pleased
with upcoming productions of “The Gift,”
and “The Differentest School of All.” Both productions are part of Boulder’s
Dinner Theatre “Kids Kabaret” program.)
If “Avenue Q” is not for
you, book the family for any of the “Kids Kabaret” programs, or “42nd Street” (opens November
9, 2012) or “The Wizard of Oz”
(Summer 2013).
Director/Choreographer: Scott Beyette
Costume Design: Linda Morken
Music Conductor: Neal Dunfee
Cast:
Princeton/Rod: Brett Ambler
Kate Monster/Lucy the
Slut: Ellen Kaye
Trekkie Monster/Nicky/Boy
Bad Idea Bear: Seth Caikowski
Gary Coleman: Ashlie-Amber Harris
Brian: Scott Beyette/Brian Jackson
Christmas Eve: MariJune Scott
Mrs. Thistletwat/Girl Bad
Idea Bear: Tracy Warren
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